The Mid-South Conference has landed four teams in the Football Top 25 Postseason Poll, while another received votes, according to the NAIA rankings released earlier this week.

 

After a 2007 season which saw the Wildcats advance to the NAIA National Playoff Quarterfinals, Bethel College has been ranked fifth in the postseason poll. The Wildcats finished the season with an overall record of 11-2 and took home the Western Division's Dowling Trophy after finishing a perfect 5-0 in division play. Bethel, which was ranked fourth or fifth by the NAIA in each of their last seven national polls, finished fourth in the NAIA regular season poll and will look to continue to build on their past success in 2008.

 

Landing in the #14 spot are the Caveliers of UVA-Wise. Wise finished 2007 with an overall record of 9-2 and tied the University of the Cumberlands for the best record in the Eastern Division (4-1). However, a 41-38 setback to the Patriots in the second to last week cost Wise the Dowling Trophy and a spot in the NAIA playoffs. But with the return of several key players from one of the nation's best offenses, rest assured that Wise will once again be in the playoff hunt next season

 

After an 8-2 finish in 2007 which included capturing the Dowling Trophy as the top team in the Eastern Division and their first appearance in the NAIA national playoffs since 1988, the Cumberlands find themselves in the #16 spot. While the Patriots fell in the first round to sixth-ranked Ohio Dominican (62-35), the team is looking forward to the opportunity to defend their championship next fall.

 

Georgetown College is the final Mid-South team ranked in the Top 25, coming in at #24. Georgetown finished with an overall record of 6-4, and found themselves in a three-team race for the Eastern Division crown with Wise and the Cumberlands. But a 28-21 upset by Union College dropped the Tigers to 3-2 in divsion play and put them out of the race. Georgetown missed the national playoffs for the first time in several years and will look to make it back to the national scene in 2008.

 

Shorter College, the host of the 2008 and 2009 Football Championships, received votes in the Top 25 Postseason Poll. The Hawks finished second in the West behind Bethel with a 3-2 division record and an overall mark of 7-4. With a final ranking of #28 in the nation, Shorter is undoubtedly looking forward to a successful campaign in 2008.