The Southern Conference just released its preseason FCS top 25. I scanned through it looking for the Minutemen getting set to add a note to my UMass football notebook that you'll be able to find online here later on.

But UMass wasn't listed among the ranked or the also receiving votes, which seemed odd considering the Minutemen are ranked No. 25 in the Sports Network Poll. 

Are the Minutemen ineligible to be ranked because of their transitional FBS status or did nobody vote for them? I have calls out to a few people waiting to find out.

I'm assuming they're aren't eligible. With quarterback question marks, the Minutemen aren't a lock to be one of the top 25 teams in the country. So it wouldn't be absurd for someone not to vote for them, but for none of the 28 voting coaches to give UMass even one vote seems unlikely. Two CAA coaches William & Mary's Jimmye Laycock and New Hampshire Sean McDonnell both are among the voters.

Coaches almost always give their league the benefit of the doubt.

I'll let you know when I know.