CWU football No. 7 in super regional poll

INDIANAPOLIS — With a 5-0 record against Division II opponents, Central Washington is ranked seventh in the first super regional poll released Monday.

The poll is the first official NCAA Division II poll of the 2008 season.

CWU (4-0 GNAC, 5-1 overall) is one of three teams in the super regional with an undefeated mark against D-II opposition. The other two, West Texas A&M and Abilene Christian, are ranked first and second in the poll. Central Washington’s lone defeat came at the hands of perennial Division I Football Championship Subdivision power Montana.

Central Washington’s Great Northwest Athletic Conference is part of Super Regional Four, which is made up of the South Central and West Regions. It also  includes the Lone Star Conference and the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association.

The Lone Star and MIAA champions earn automatic entry into the postseason. Teams from the GNAC must finish in the super regional top six to qualify for the Division II playoffs.

Central Washington travels to Qwest Field in Seattle on Saturday to play Western Washington. The Wildcats hold a one-game lead over Western in the GNAC standings.

Division II Super Regional Four poll

1, West Texas A&M (6-0 overall, 5-0 Division II); 2, Abilene Christian (Texas) (5-0, 5-0); 3, Northwest Missouri State (5-1, 5-1); 4, Pittsburg State (Kan.) (5-1, 5-1); 5, Central Missouri (5-1, 5-1); 6, Midwestern State (Texas) (4-1, 4-1); 7, Central Washington (5-1, 5-0); 8, Texas A&M Kingsville (4-2, 4-1); 9, Tarleton State (Texas) (5-1, 5-1); 10, Truman (Mo.) (3-2, 3-2).