The Samford Crimson

James Madison survived a scare, but returned a punt for a late touchdown to retain their No. 1 ranking. After starting the season with six teams ranked in the top 25, the SoCon’s thinned out, sneaking five into both polls. The Citadel is No. 24 in the Sports Network Poll but unranked in the Coaches Poll. Georgia Southern is unranked in the Sports Network Poll but No. 25 in the Coaches Poll. The conference does have three in the top 10, including Nos. 2-4 in the Sports Network Poll.

Sports Network Poll

1. James Madison
2. Appalachian State
3. Elon
4. Wofford
5. Cal Poly
6. Northern Iowa
7. Villanova
8. Montana
9. Richmond
10. Massachusetts
11. New Hampshire
12. McNeese State
13. Central Arkansas
14. Liberty
15. Western Illinois
16. Southern Illinois
17. Northern Arizona
18. Weber State
19. Furman
20. North Dakota State
21. South Dakota State
22. Tennessee State
23. Jacksonville State
24. The Citadel
25. Hampton

Coaches Poll
1. James Madison
2. Appalachian State
3. Cal Poly
4. Northern Iowa
5. Montana
6. Wofford
7. Massachusetts
8. Elon
9. Richmond
10. Villanova
11. New Hampshire
12. McNeese State
13. Central Arkansas
14. Southern Illinois
15. Liberty
16. North Dakota State
17. Western Illinois
18. Northern Arizona
19. Furman
20. Weber State
21. Tennessee State
22. South Dakota State
23. Jacksonville State
24. Hampton
25. Georgia Southern