The NCAA announced its first list of regionally-ranked teams this week and the Foresters were one of the seven teams mentioned in Region V.
The first NCAA regional release of the season does include actual rankings, instead including an alphabetical list of seven teams in each of six regions. Lake Forest joins Aurora University, North Central College, Ripon College, Wartburg College, Washington University in St. Louis, and Wheaton College in Region V.
Next week's release will include rankings in advance of the final weekend of the regular season. The rankings help indicate which five programs will receive at-large bids and join the 27 teams earning automatic bids to the NCAA Division III Playoffs.
The Foresters defeated Monmouth College 31-14 last Saturday and are now 7-1 overall and 6-1 in Midwest Conference play this season. They are currently among the others receiving votes in the American Football Coaches Association and D3football.com Top 25 Polls.
Last year Lake Forest advanced to the NCAA Division III Playoffs for the first time since 2002.