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AFCA Poll: Argos drop 12 spots after loss to West Alabama; Delta State now conference's best

ben grieco, pensacola news journal
·2 min read

The University of West Florida football team took a hard fall in the latest American Football Coaches Association Division II Coaches Poll, as expected after the 10-6 loss to the University of West Alabama on Saturday.

The Argos were slotted in at No. 18 (221 points), falling 12 spots from last week’s poll. That means Delta State, which improved three spots to No. 5 (597 points) this week, is now the Gulf South Conference’s top team in the rankings.

Fellow GSC rival Valdosta State just missed the top 25 again, receiving 42 points in the poll, technically ranked 27th.

Delta State is coming off a 49-27 win over North Greenville University, while Valdosta State defeated Mississippi College on the road, 21-10.

University of West Florida wide receiver John Jiles (0) makes a catch along the sideline during the Argos' 10-6 loss at the University of West Alabama on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Livingston, Alabama.
University of West Florida wide receiver John Jiles (0) makes a catch along the sideline during the Argos' 10-6 loss at the University of West Alabama on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Livingston, Alabama.

UWF’s next two opponents are those exact teams. The Argos travel to the Statesmen this Saturday, followed by a home contest against the Blazers on Oct. 28. Delta State remains undefeated on the season, and is the top team in the GSC.

This week’s AFCA poll also saw a lot of changes toward the top. There is now a new top team, with Colorado School of Mines taking the honor with 28 first-place votes. Ferris State, the two-time defending national champion, lost to now-No. 4 Grand Valley State University on Saturday, 49-28.

Week 7 Loss: The defense did its job against West Alabama. The offense failed to respond.

Last Week's Poll: Ortiz repeats conference honor, Argos stay put in AFCA poll

The Bulldogs were ranked No. 9 (486 points) in this week’s poll.

The top five teams in Division II football, according to the Coaches Poll, are now: Colorado School of Mines (723 points), Pittsburg State (691 points), Minnesota State (655 points), Grand Valley State (618 points) and Delta State (597 points).

Ben Grieco is a sports reporter for the Pensacola News Journal. He can be reached on X (@BenGriecoSports) and via email at BGrieco@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: UWF football falls to West Alabama, drops 12 spots in AFCA Poll