Sagarin ratings mean little for non-scholarship Division I football programs such as Valparaiso.
The Crusaders' only shot at a postseason berth is to win the Pioneer Football League title, which results in a spot in the Gridiron Classic against the Northeastern Conference champion.
Valpo's hope of winning the PFL title dissolved several weeks ago. Now in the midst of a four-game losing streak, the Crusaders (2-7, 1-5) are ranked No. 242 in the latest Sagarin ratings out of 245 teams.
Their opponent today, PFL foe Campbell (1-8, 0-6), is a program in its first year. The Fighting Camels (yes, that's the official nickname) are dead last at 245.
So in the great landscape of college football, this game means nothing. The players involved believe otherwise.
"It's pride and then some," Valpo defensive end Adam Rundh said. "Nobody has the thought of losing this game. Our team is not that bad.
"It's really frustrating because we know we are better than this. Losing this week is just not on our mind, it just can't happen. We've got to do whatever it takes to win this game."
Rundh and the Crusaders entered this season with high hopes. Rundh and nine other defensive starters returned, along with eight offensive starters, from last year's 5-6 squad.
But the season started with a disappointing 21-0 loss in a quagmire at Saint Francis, and everything has gone downhill since an exciting 35-29 overtime win against Davidson on Oct. 11.
The Crusaders rank eighth of nine teams in scoring offense (17.2 points per game), scoring defense (32.2 ppg), total offense (282 yards per game) and total defense (378 ypg). The ninth-place team in those categories? The Fighting Camels, of course.
Valpo's offense has struggled, particularly in the second half of games.
Valpo's offense has not scored in the second half in seven of nine games.
Defensively, the Crusaders have had trouble stopping the run all season, allowing 222 yards per game. And they haven't gotten to the quarterback, with just seven sacks for minus-42 yards after making 30 last season.
Valpo has one more home game, next Saturday against Drake. So Rundh, a junior, is hoping the team can win the last two games for the 17 seniors and to build momentum for next season.
"It's not going to be looking like this, I can promise you that," Rundh said. "We all have to get back to the drawing board, and more than anything look inside ourselves and see what we can do better.
"More than anything, we have to take personal responsibility for what has happened and what hasn't happened. That's where we need to go, me included."
