Climbing the ladder

The OVC's two ranked teams took a couple of steps up this week in the polss, both after solid victories against teams from the traditionally strong Gateway Football Conference.

The Sports Network's official I-AA poll has Eastern Illinois at #18, up from #20, after a win against Indiana State. Eastern Kentucky is right behind them at #19, up from #23 after knocking off archrival Western Kentucky.

The fan poll at AnyGivenSaturday.org puts the Panthers at #17, up from #20. EKU is ranked #22, up three spots from #25.

EIU will look to give the OVC its first win against a ranked opponent this week, taking on in-state foe #7 Illinois State, also from the GFC. Eastern Kentucky takes on Western Carolina, of the Southern Conference.

Jacksonville State was the only other OVC team to receive votes in either poll. The Gamecocks had 55 points in the TSN poll, putting them effectively at #33. JSU got five votes in the AGS poll, for the effictive #38 spot. JSU opens league play this week, hosting Southeast Missouri State.