After picking up a number-13 ranking in the pre-season FCS Coaches Poll, the Wildcats have been ranked slightly higher in the Sports Network's poll of media members -- checking in at number-12 in the early rankings. The expectations are there for the Wildcats to bounce back from narrowly missing the playoffs this season as a large number of returning players bring talent and experience to the 'Cats offense.
With Walter Payton Award candidate John Robertson and an experienced offense leading the way, the 'Cats are hoping to make a deep run this Fall. The schedule starts with a challenging match-up at Syracuse over Labor Day weekend before a meeting with 11th-ranked Fordham and then the CAA Football meat-grinder over the rest of the way.
The FCS Poll has six ranked squads out of the CAA conference. Villanova is the second-highest ranked program in the league after the number-4 New Hampshire Wildcats. Towson, however is just one slot behind Nova in the poll. William & Mary and Richmond appear back-to-back later in the poll, at 19th and 20th, respectively, while the Maine Black Bears are holding up the rear at number-25.
Delaware, James Madison, and Stony Brook also received votes.
Num | Team (First-place votes) | 2013 Record | Points | Previous Rank |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Eastern Washington Eagles (82) | 12-3 | 3589 | 3 |
2 | North Dakota State Bison (62) | 15-0 | 3540 | 1 |
3 | Southeastern Louisiana Lions (2) | 11-3 | 3300 | 6 |
4 | New Hampshire Wildcats (1) | 10-5 | 3090 | 5 |
5 | Montana Grizzlies | 10-3 | 2817 | 8 |
6 | Jacksonville State Gamecocks | 11-4 | 2634 | 10 |
7 | Coastal Carolina Chanticleers | 12-3 | 2461 | 7 |
8 | McNeese State Cowboys | 10-3 | 2277 | 11 |
9 | Northern Iowa Panthers | 7-5 | 2197 | NR |
10 | South Dakota State Jackrabbits | 9-5 | 2154 | 13 |
11 | Fordham Rams | 12-2 | 2139 | 9 |
12 | Villanova Wildcats | 6-5 | 2072 | NR |
13 | Towson Tigers | 13-3 | 1999 | 2 |
14 | Chattanooga Mocs | 8-4 | 1647 | 23 |
15 | Tennessee State Tigers | 10-4 | 1448 | 17 |
16 | Eastern Illinois Panthers | 12-2 | 1375 | 4 |
17 | Sam Houston State Bearkats | 9-5 | 1345 | 14 |
18 | Montana State Bobcats | 7-5 | 1170 | 20 |
19 | William & Mary Tribe | 7-5 | 1151 | NR |
20 | Richmond Spiders | 6-6 | 963 | NR |
21 | Furman Paladins | 8-6 | 802 | 22 |
22 | Bethune-Cookman Wildcats | 10-3 | 475 | 16 |
23 | Northern Arizona Lumberjacks | 9-3 | 429 | 15 |
24 | Youngstown State Penguins | 8-4 | 405 | 18 |
25 | Maine Black Bears | 10-3 | 330 | 12 |