LAKE CHARLES – McNeese held steady in both the FCS Coaches' and STATS polls this week, holding down the No. 2 spot in the coaches' top 25 poll while staying at No. 3 in the STATS poll.
 
The Cowboys (9-0, 8-0 SLC), who had a bye last Saturday, will close out the regular season this coming Saturday at Lamar at 6 p.m. with several things to be playing for.
 
"There's a lot to play for," said head coach Matt Viator. "First, an undefeated season. Second, a possible top national seed. Number three, we're playing against a rival. And four, to win the conference championship outright.
 
"In my opinion, this is as important a game as any and I think the players see that."
 
McNeese earned the Southland Conference's automatic bid on Nov. 7 after a 27-10 win over Sam Houston State.
 
Jacksonville State (9-1) remains the top team in both polls while North Dakota State (8-2) is ranked No. 2 in the STATS poll followed by the Cowboys. The Bison are ranked third in the coaches' poll.
 
MCNEESE TICKET UPDATE: The McNeese ticket office has sold out of both of its allotments of tickets to Saturday's game at Lamar, roughly 800 tickets. Fans will need to contact Lamar to purchase tickets. McNeese sections are on the east side of the stadium in general admission.
 
FCS Coaches' Poll
1.  Jacksonville State
2.  McNeese
3.  North Dakota State
4.  Coastal Carolina
5.  South Dakota State
6.  Illinois State
7.  William & Mary
8.  Charleston Southern
9.  Chattanooga
10. James Madison
11. Portland State
12. Sam Houston State
13. North Carolina A&T
14. Fordham
15. Northern Iowa
16. Richmond
17. Montana
18. Southern Utah
19. Eastern Washington
20. Northern Arizona
21. Harvard
22. Bethune-Cookman
23. Dartmouth
24. The Citadel
25. Central Arkansas
 
STATS Poll
1.  Jacksonville State
2.  North Dakota State
3.  McNeese
4.  Coastal Carolina
5.  South Dakota State
6.  Illinois State
7.  William & Mary
8.  Chattanooga
9.  Charleston Southern
10. Sam Houston State
11. Portland State
12. James Madison
13. Fordham
14. Richmond
15. Northern Iowa
16. North Carolina A&T
17. Montana
18. Eastern Washington
19. Harvard
20. Southern Utah
21. Dartmouth
22. Grambling
23. Eastern Kentucky
24. Northern Arizona
25. The Citadel