The latest edition of the NCAA Division II Super Region Rankings were released on Monday (Nov. 9). Fort Hays State is still on the outside looking in at the top 10 in Super Region 3, meaning the Tigers would need a win on Saturday against Central Missouri and several other results to break their way to have any hope of making the NCAA Division II Playoffs.
After the No. 9 team in last week’s rankings lost, there was some hope that the Tigers may jump into this week’s region rankings with a 7-3 record. Instead, the 7-3 team moving into the rankings this week at No. 9 is Southwest Minnesota State. Western Oregon held steady at No. 10 with a 7-2 record against Division II competition.
Central Missouri remains the first team out of the top seven at No. 8 again this week. The top seven teams will make the NCAA Division II Playoffs. Emporia State is No. 6 in the latest region rankings. If the rankings were to hold steady, the Fort Hays State vs. Central Missouri game in Hays is essentially a battle for the automatic berth in the Mineral Water Bowl. But teams from the No. 7 through No. 10 ranking all have games against opponents with records of .500 or better this week. There may be a slim sliver of hope the Tigers may still be alive for a playoff spot, but it would take a big shake up in the rankings for it to happen.
If the Tigers win on Saturday, they would most likely keep the Mules out of the playoffs and would have a 2-1 record against regionally ranked teams (which might strengthen their case for jumping in the region rankings), with their only loss to No. 1 Northwest Missouri State. The Bearcats are also the nation’s No. 1 ranked team this week. Fort Hays State’s win over a regionally ranked team was against Emporia State.
Below is the latest edition of the poll, with this week’s opponent (with record) out to the right.
Super Region 3 Rankings (Nov. 9)
