After five weeks of play, Jacksonville State still remains the top team in the Ohio Valley Conference while Eastern remains at the bottom with the conference’s worst record.

With a conference record of 3-0, Jacksonville State is the No. 1 team in OVC standings. The Gamecocks have an overall record of 4-1, while notching a perfect 3-0 record at home. Jacksonville State has won three games in a row and will have an off-week this week. Along with being No. 1 in the OVC, the Gamecocks are also the No. 12 in the Football Conference Subdivision (FCS) national coaches’ poll.

Tennessee Tech is No. 2 in the OVC standings with a record of 3-0. The Golden Eagles own the OVC’s best winning streak, having won four straight. Like Jacksonville State, Tennessee Tech is undefeated at home with a 2-0 record and ranked in the FCS, currently sitting at No. 21 in the FCS Coaches Poll after being unranked last week. Tennessee Tech will have a bye week this week before hosting Tennessee State on Oct. 15.

At No. 3 is Austin Peay, the third and final undefeated team in OVC play.

Southeast Missouri is No. 4 in the OVC standings with an even 1-1 record in OVC play. The Redhawks rushed for 412 yards against Eastern last week to earn their first win of the season. They have an overall record of 1-3 so far this season.

No. 5 in the OVC standings is Tennessee-Martin with a record of 1-2. The Skyhawks have an overall even record of 2-2 on the year, and will look to take down Austin Peay at home for their homecoming game this weekend.

After losing two games in a row, Murray State stands as the No. 6 team in the OVC. The Racers have a conference record of 1-2 and an overall record of 2-3.

This weekend, they will travel for a non-conference game against Georgia State.

Eastern Kentucky is 0-1 in OVC play heading into their game on the road against Eastern this weekend. The Colonels have a 1-3 record after losing two straight. On the road again this weekend, the Colonels are 0-2 when away from Richmond, Ky., this season.

They are currently No. 7 in the OVC standings.

Tennessee State stands as the No. 8 team in the conference, currently on a four game losing streak. The Tigers have played two conference games, both on the road, to notch an 0-2 record in the OVC. The Tigers will host Southeast Missouri this weekend.

The Panthers are seated at the bottom of the OVC rankings, currently 0-3 in conference play, while also having a record of 1-4 overall. The Panthers will host Eastern Kentucky this weekend for their Family Weekend match-up.

Dominic Renzetti can be reached at 581-4942 or dcrenzetti@eiu.edu