INDIANAPOLIS – Central Oklahoma is fourth in the NCAA Super Region III rankings announced Monday as the Bronchos aim to finish a remarkable season with the playoffs later this month.
Super Region III is made up of four conferences competing for seven spots in the upcoming NCAA Division II Football Championship. The MIAA, the Great American Conference (GAC), the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC), and the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletics Conference (GLIAC) make up the region. On Sunday, Nov. 17, the NCAA will announce its 28-team playoff with four, seven-team super regions.
UCO has not made the playoffs since the 2003 season. The Bronchos have made four appearances in the DII playoffs and have a 3-4 record in those contests.
Central Oklahoma is 8-1 this season with a 6-1 record in the MIAA. The Bronchos are in first place in the league standings with two weeks remaining as Central looks to lock down its first MIAA Championship in football. UCO needs to win Saturday at Washburn to clinch a share of the title and could win it outright with help from others. The Bronchos could win both of its final two games of the season for an outright title.
Pittsburg State (third) and Emporia State (seventh) also appear in the rankings. Pitt State is 7-2, 6-2 and Emporia is 7-2, 5-2 on the year. Emporia beat Pitt, while UCO lost to Pitt. The Bronchos host Emporia in Week 11.
Ferris State, whose only loss is to Pittsburg State, is ranked No. 1 in the poll. Grand Valley State, whose only loss is to Ferris State in GLIAC play, holds the No. 2 spot.
Ouachita Baptist is fifth behind Central, and Harding, with one loss to Ouachita Baptist in GAC play, is ranked sixth. Both teams are 8-1.
Saginaw Valley State (7-2) of the GLIAC is eighth and plays Ferris State this weekend. UIndy is the lone team from the GLVC appearing in the rankings. The Greyhounds are 8-1 this season. Southern Arkansas (GAC) rounds out the rankings at No. 10 with a 7-2 record.
One more ranking will be issued next week, with the official selections following Nov. 17 on NCAA.com.
