ORANGEBURG, SC – South Carolina State is ranked 18th in the year's first 2011 preseason Top 25 football poll as chosen by SouthernPigskin.Com. The Bulldogs, who shared the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title and made their third straight appearance in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs last season, were ranked 16th in the 2010 final The Sports Network FCS poll. Coach Buddy Pough's team finished 9-3 overall and 7-1 in the MEAC.
Eastern Washington, which captured the 2010 FCS title and was 13-2 last season, leads the 2011 poll. Georgia Southern, whom the Bulldogs lost to in last year's playoffs, is second. Rounding out the top five are William & Mary, Appalachian State and Delaware.
SC State opens the 2011 campaign Thursday, Sept. 1, at Central Michigan, one of two Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams on the Bulldog schedule. The other one is Indiana, whom SC State faces Sept. 17 at Bloomington.
SouthernPigskin.Com FCS Preseason Top 25
1. Eastern Washington, Big Sky
2010 Record: 13-2
2. Georgia Southern, Southern
2010 Record: 10-5
3. William & Mary, CAA
2010 Record: 8-4
4. Appalachian State, Southern
2010 Record: 10-3
5. Delaware, CAA
2010 Record: 12-3
6. Montana State, Big Sky
2010 Record: 9-3
7. Wofford, Southern
2010 Record: 10-3
8. Northern Iowa, MVC
2010 Record: 7-5
9. Jacksonville State, Ohio Valley
2010 Record: 9-3
10. North Dakota State, MVC
2010 Record: 9-5
11. Cal Poly, Great West
2010 Record: 7-4
12. Central Arkansas, Southland
2010 Record: 7-4
13. Montana, Big Sky
2010 Record: 7-4
14. Chattanooga, Southern
2010 Record: 6-5
15. Stephen F. Austin, Southland
2010 Record: 9-3
16. Richmond, CAA
2010 Record: 6-5
17. Liberty, Big South
2010 Record: 8-3
18. South Carolina State, MEAC
2010 Record: 9-3
19. SE Missouri State, Ohio Valley
2010 Record: 9-3
20. Western Illinois, MVC
2010 Record: 8-5
21. Villanova, CAA
2010 Record: 9-5
22. Southern Utah, Great West
2010 Record: 6-5
23. Jacksonville, Pioneer
2010 Record: 10-1
24. James Madison, CAA
2010 Record: 6-5
25. Penn, Ivy
2010 Record: 9-1
