No Change to Top Five in Latest AFL Media Poll
May 27, 2015 - Arena Football League (AFL) News Release
CHICAGO - The undefeated San Jose SaberCats (9-0) once again garnered all 16 first-place votes as the rankings remained unchanged in the top five of the latest AFL Media Poll.
The SaberCats rallied in the second half of their Week 9 win over the Cleveland Gladiators (5-4) to keep their perfect record intact. Down 10 points after two quarters, San Jose outscored the Gladiators 28-6 in the final two frames. The SaberCats will look to widen their Pacific Division lead this weekend when they travel to Portland for a matchup with the 3-5 Thunder. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. ET Saturday night on ESPN3.
Coming in at No. 2 of this week's AFL Media Poll are the Philadelphia Soul (8-1), who got back on track with a 71-27 thumping of the Tampa Bay Storm (3-5) in Week 9. The Soul will attempt to further distance themselves from the American Conference pack in Week 10 when they host the Las Vegas Outlaws (3-5) in the inaugural DraftKings Boardwalk Bowl. Kickoff from Atlantic City, NJ is set for 6:00 p.m. ET Saturday night on CBS Sports Network.
Despite not playing in Week 9, the Arizona Rattlers (6-2) still hung on to their No. 3 spot in this week's AFL Media Poll. The Rattlers take the field this Saturday night in "AFL on ESPN2" action against the Spokane Shock (3-5). Kickoff from Spokane is set for 10:00 p.m. ET.
The No. 4-ranked Cleveland Gladiators had the San Jose SaberCats on the ropes at halftime of their Week 9 matchup, heading into the locker room with a 52-42 advantage. However, the Gladiators offense was almost completely shut down by San Jose's stingy defensive lineup in the second half. Cleveland was able to muster just one score on the team's final play from scrimmage. Steve Thonn's club will look to get back on track and stay within striking distance of Philadelphia this week as the Gladiators host the fifth-ranked Orlando Predators (5-4).
On the heels of two straight home wins on national television, the Predators sit atop the South Division but will not have the luxury of resting on their laurels quite yet, as the 4-5 Jacksonville Sharks and 3-5 Tampa Bay Storm are sure to keep the AFL's "Florida Division" a tight race to the very end. Orlando has the opportunity this week to avenge an overtime loss to the Gladiators in Orlando earlier in 2015 and return the favor on Cleveland's home turf. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET Friday on ESPN3.
The AFL Media Poll consists of voters from television, radio, and newspaper outlets who regularly cover the League in their respective markets, along with national personalities from ESPN and CBS Sports, who provide game and studio commentary about the Arena Football League.
May 27 AFL Media Poll
Rank Team (1st Place Votes) W-L Points Last Week
1. San Jose SaberCats (16) 9-0 192 1
2. Philadelphia Soul 8-1 175 2
3. Arizona Rattlers 6-2 161 3
4. Cleveland Gladiators 5-4 139 4
5. Orlando Predators 5-4 129 5
6. Jacksonville Sharks 4-5 116 6
7. Tampa Bay Storm 3-5 81 7
8. Spokane Shock 3-5 75 11
9. Las Vegas Outlaws 3-5 72 8
10. Portland Thunder 3-5 59 9
11. New Orleans VooDoo 2-7 34 10
12. LA KISS 0-8 16 12
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