Following the thrilling 36-0 victory over Abilene Christian on Homecoming Saturday, the West Texas A&M football team moved up three spots in the latest American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II Top 25 poll to 17th which was announced Monday morning.
The Buffaloes are 6-1 overall and a league-best 5-0 in the Lone Star Conference and have won six-straight games which is the longest in the conference and is tied for ninth nationally. WT is one of two Lone Star Conference teams ranked in the poll this week as Midwestern State moved from 13th to 12th following a home scare from Angelo State last week as the Mustangs won 35-28. WT defeated Angelo State Oct. 6 in San Angelo, Texas, 35-9.
Seven teams lost including defending national champion and No. 1 Pittsburg State (Kan.) causing a big shakeup in the poll. Colorado State-Pueblo is the new No. 1 team this week. CSUP defeated WT 44-34 in Pueblo Aug. 30. Winston-Salem State (N.C.) moves up one spot to No. 2, followed by New Haven (Conn.), Bloomsburg (Pa.) and Northwest Missouri State who knocked off Pittsburg State is fifth this week.
Miles (Ala.) enters the poll for the first time in school history at No. 21, while Michigan Tech and Sioux Falls (S.D.) all return to the rankings at Nos. 22 and 23, respectively. Grand Valley State (Mich.) which was ranked in the top five two weeks ago, fell to No. 14 last week and No. 24 this week following consecutive losses to Ferris State and Northern Michigan.
The No. 17 ranking is the highest for the Buffaloes this season in the poll. They have been ranked in the poll for four consecutive weeks and five overall this season. WT travels to conference rival Eastern New Mexico Saturday for a 7 p.m. CT kick in the annual Wagon Wheel Game.
