All season long the debate has been which team is best in the Ohio Valley Conference.

It’s Eastern Kentucky. No, it’s Tennessee State. OK, it’s Jacksonville State. Maybe it’s the Panthers.

It’s the Panthers. At least right now.

The Eastern Illinois football team made a huge statement Saturday with an emphatic 28-20 victory over Jacksonville State in Jacksonville, Ala.

The Gamecocks entered the game having allowed only 14 points in two OVC contests. The Panthers had 14 points in just over 15 minutes.

Ryan Perrilloux, the Louisiana State transfer and Walter Payton Award contender, did his share of damage, but was never able to complete a big play.

He had one interception coming in and left with two thanks to a game-clinching pick by junior cornerback C.J. James, who is quickly becoming a ball hawk with his team-leading fourth interception of the season.

And while Eastern Kentucky still holds an advantage over the Panthers by handing them their only loss, a second loss by the Colonels Saturday dropped them in the standings and put the Panthers in the driver’s seat for an OVC Title.

The Panthers and Tennessee State stand as the only contending teams with a single loss. They’re scheduled for a season-ending Nov. 19 contest at O’Brien Field.

The game is at night on a Thursday, will be on ESPNU and is Eastern’s Senior Night.

If both teams win out before that contest it would mean the conference title would be decided that night.

Needless to say it will be must-see football and definitely the conference game of the year.

But once again, that’s looking ahead.

The Panthers still have work to do, and they know it.

Next week brings a trip to Murray, Ky., to face Murray State. It is a game the Panthers cannot overlook.

The Racers have had a less-than-impressive season, but shocked the Tigers Oct. 17 in Nashville, Tenn., holding the Tennessee State offense to a mere six points.

Saturday’s victory did a lot toward solidifying the Panthers’ position as the cream of the crop in the OVC.

There’s a long way to go, but the finish line is in sight.

And it’s nice to know the success or failure down the stretch is in their hands and their hands alone.

The Panthers will control their own destiny and that is all any team can ask for.

Collin Whitchurch can be reached at 581-7944 or cfwhitchurch@eiu.edu.