Three Southland Schools in Top 25

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FRISCO, Texas – Southeastern Louisiana, McNeese State and Sam Houston State begin the 2014 football season ranked in the Sports Network Preseason Poll. The Lions come in at No. 3 while the Cowboys are No. 8 and the Bearkats are No. 17.
 
After claiming its first Southland football title, Southeastern Louisiana sits at No. 3 behind Eastern Washington at No. 1 followed by three-time defending national champion North Dakota State at No. 2. The Lions, who reached the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs, received two first-place votes after finishing the 2013 campaign 11-3 overall and 7-0 in league play. Southeastern opens the season Aug. 30 against Jacksonville.
 
The Cowboys finished 2013 with a 10-3 mark and a 6-1 Southland record. McNeese reached the second round of the FCS playoffs. McNeese, which finished the year ranked No. 11, comes in at No. 8 this season and return 16 starters this season. The Cowboys open their 2014 season on the road against Big Ten opponent Nebraska.
 
Sam Houston starts the year at No. 17 after reaching the FCS playoffs for the third consecutive season last year. The Bearkats finished 2013 with a 9-5 record and reached the second round of the postseason before falling to conference foe Southeastern Louisiana. Sam Houston opens the 2014 year on the road against the top-ranked Eagles of Eastern Washington, Aug. 23.
 
Central Arkansas is the only other Southland program to receive votes, collecting 36 total points. For the complete Sports Network FCS Top 25, click here.

 

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