Cowboys jump two spots in both FCS polls this week

LAKE CHARLES – McNeese jumped into the top 20 in both the FCS Coaches and STATS media Top 25 polls this week despite having the week off.

The Cowboys (5-1) moved up two spots to No. 19 in this week’s coaches poll and jumped two positions to No. 20 in the media rankings.

McNeese is one of four Southland Conference teams ranked in the coaches poll and one of three in the STATS poll.

In both polls, Central Arkansas (5-1) is ranked sixth followed by Sam Houston State (5-1) at No. 7. McNeese is 19 in the coaches poll while Nicholls (5-2) is ranked 20th. The Colonels are receiving votes in the media poll as is Southeastern Louisiana.

The top nine teams are identical in both polls with James Madison sitting on top. North Dakota State follows, then Jacksonville State, South Dakota, Wofford, UCA, Sam Houston State, Eastern Washington and Youngstown State.

Western Illinois is No. 10 in the STATS poll while Richmond is ranked 10th in the coaches poll.

The Cowboys return home on Saturday when they host Incarnate Word at 6 p.m. for Homecoming. This will be the first home game for McNeese in nearly a month.

FCS Coaches Top 25

1. James Madison (6-0)
2. North Dakota State (6-0)
3. Jacksonville State (5-1)
4. South Dakota (6-0)
5. Wofford (6-0)
6. Central Arkansas (5-1)
7. Sam Houston State (5-1)
8. Eastern Washington (5-2)
9. Youngstown State (3-3)
10. Richmond (4-2)
11. North Carolina A&T (7-0)
12. Western Illinois (5-1)
13. South Dakota State (4-2)
14. Samford (4-2)
15. Elon (5-1)
16. Villanova (4-3)
17. Grambling (5-1)
18. New Hampshire (4-2)
19. McNeese (5-1)
20. Nicholls (5-2)
21. Western Carolina (5-2)
22. Northern Arizona (4-2)
23. Weber State (4-2)
24. Illinois State (4-2)
25. Montana (5-2)

STATS Media Top 25

1. James Madison (6-0)
2. North Dakota State (6-0)
3. Jacksonville State (5-1)
4. South Dakota (6-0)
5. Wofford (6-0)
6. Central Arkansas (5-1)
7. Sam Houston State (5-1)
8. Eastern Washington (5-2)
9. Youngstown State (3-3)
10. Western Illinois (5-1)
11. Richmond (4-2)
12. North Carolina A&T (7-0)
13. South Dakota State (4-2)
14. Elon (5-1)
15. Villanova (4-3)
16. Samford (4-2)
17. Grambling (5-1)
18. New Hampshire (4-2)
19. Western Carolina (5-2)
20. McNeese (5-1)
21. Montana (5-2)
22. Stony Brook (5-2)
23. Weber State (4-2)
24. Illinois State (4-2)
25. North Carolina Central (5-1)