The D2 college football regular season heads into the final weekend of action before the playoffs get cracking mid-month. Before we get ahead of ourselves in looking at potential playoff matchups and which teams are on the bubble, let's take a gander backward and vote on the D II team of the month for October.
[divider]MORE D2 FOOTBALL:
Valdosta St. is No. 1, but Who's No 2?
Studs off to Hot Starts[divider]
The poll is open until this Friday at 5 p.m. Eastern/2 p.m. Pacific Time, so make your selection today and feel free to share with friends so they can get in on the action as well.
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Lenoir-Rhyne
Conference: South Atlantic
Rank on Oct. 1: BR-7
Current Rank: BR-11
Difference: -4 spots
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Lenoir-Rhyne Athletics[/credit]
Do not let the drop in rankings during October fool you: Lenoir-Rhyne is having a season for the ages.
The Bears opened the year ranked no. 108 before moving to a respectable 83 at the season's midway point. After knocking off no. 42 Newberry on the road, however, Lenoir-Rhyne skyrocketed up our ranking to 7th in the country on its way to clinching the South Atlantic.
The smoking-hot Bears look to ride the momentum to its first D II championship game appearance since 2013.
COMPARE: Lenoir-Rhyne vs. Any Team
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Long Island University-Post
Conference: Northeast-10
Rank on Oct. 1: BR-39
Current Rank: BR-19
Difference: 20 spots
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ong Island University-Post Athletics[/credit]
After hovering in the 30's for most of the season, LIU-Post has screamed into the top 20 thanks to a perfect 8-0 mark with just one game remaining at home against New Haven. The Pioneers' defense has been suffocating all season in giving up only eight points or fewer in six of its nine games.
COMPARE: Long Island University-Post vs. Any Team
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Slippery Rock
Conference: Pennsylvania State Athletic
Rank on Oct. 1: BR-41
Current Rank: BR-23
Difference: 18 spots
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Slippery Rock Athletics[/credit]
The only blemish on Slippery Rock's record is a four-point September loss to Shippensburg. Otherwise, it's been an explosion led by quarterback Roland Rivers III (1,806 passing yards and 19 TDs) and running back Wes Hills (129.4 rushing yards per game and 9 TDs) who have helped the offense average 41.5 points per game and 490.2 total yards.
The Rock needs a season finale home win over Bloomsburg to race into the playoffs on a nine-game winning streak.
COMPARE: Slippery Rock vs. Any Team
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Albany State (GA)
Conference: Southern Intercollegiate
Rank on Oct. 1: BR-79
Current Rank: BR-36
Difference: 43 spots
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Albany State (GA) Athletics[/credit]
One of the biggest movers on our list in October, the Golden Rams were once ranked as low as no. 121 in the country but suddenly find themselves in the top 40 having completed its regular season schedule.
After a tough 0-3 start, Albany State ripped off seven consecutive wins, including surrendering only nine points on defense in its final three games combined.
COMPARE: Albany State (GA) vs. Any Team
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Fairmont State
Conference: Mountain East
Rank on Oct. 1: BR-117
Current Rank: BR-74
Difference: 43 spots
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Fairmont State Athletics[/credit]
Speaking of moving up 43 spots, Fairmont State did so as well after entering October ranked no. 117.
The Fighting Falcons can end the regular season at 9-2 with a win Saturday at 3-7 West Liberty, and had it not been for close losses by six and three points to Charleston (WV) and Notre Dame (OH) respectively, Fairmont State would be entering the playoffs undefeated.
COMPARE: Fairmont State vs. Any Team
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St. Cloud State
Conference: Northern Sun
Rank on Oct. 1: BR-104
Current Rank: BR-76
Difference: 28 spots
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St. Cloud State Athletics[/credit]
After dropping to no. 104 in early October, St. Cloud State has rebounded beautifully to make its way back up to 76th. Although it suffered a tough 37-24 defeat to Bemidji State in last month, the team can still finish the regular season at 8-3 with a Saturday victory over 7-3 Minnesota State Moorhead.
COMPARE: St. Cloud State vs. Any Team
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Which School has the D2 Team of the Month for October 2018?
