The Eagles jumped to No. 3 in the AFCA Division II poll on Monday after knocking off then No. 22 Michigan Tech 40-14.

More importantly, though, is the fact that Ashland jumped to No. 2 in the Super Region 4 rankings, behind just Ferris State. The Eagles (10-0) jumped both Midwestern State (9-1, ranked 10^th in the country and No. 4 in the region) and Texas A & M Commerce (8-2, ranked 11^th in the country and No. 3 in the region). Those  teams are from the Lone Star Conference, and will play each other on Saturday in their conference championship game.

Why is the regional ranking more important? Well, if the Eagles end the season in that No. 2 spot, that means they would host a second-round playoff game (assuming, of course, that they win their first-round matchup on Nov. 21).

The Eagles have won 12 straight games at Jack Miller Stadium. Their last loss at home happened on Oct. 12, 2013, when Ashland lost to Ohio Dominican 31-19.

If the season ended right now, the Eagles would host a rematch against Grand Valley State, who slipped back into the No. 7 regional spot after a win over Tiffin on Saturday. The Eagles beat Grand Valley 45-31 on Halloween.