LAKE CHARLES – The old saying goes "It Ain't over 'til the Fat Lady Sings!"
 
Well, she's not warming up her windpipes just yet to serenade McNeese off into the sunset to end what started out as a promising season and has turned into a M.A.S.H. unit.
 
The Cowboys (6-4, 4-3 SLC) are clinging onto hope that a win over Lamar (7-4, 4-3) at 6 p.m. on Saturday, and its 7-4 record, will garner enough attention from the FCS playoff committee to consider the Pokes for an at-large bid into this year's bracket.
 
McNeese has been ranked in the FCS polls the entire season, and up until this week, has been ranked in the top 10 in all but one week. The Cowboys have been a regular participant in the postseason for much of the last 25 years, having made 15 appearances, including a second round game last year, and played in the 1997 and 2002 national title game.
 
It's a big game for Lamar too as the Cardinals will be focused on wrapping up the most successful season in program history since becoming a four-year school, but needs a win to do so. And with what has turned into one of the most competitive league races in quite some time, a win could have Lamar on the FCS playoff bubble.
 
"This is a huge game for us," said McNeese head coach Matt Viator. "This is the biggest game of the year right now. We want to send our seniors out with a win in the regular season."
 
McNeese will recognize its 13 seniors in a pregame presentation. Those seniors include: Derek Allen, Wes Briscoe, Sean Brown, Ernest Celestie, Kevin Dorn, Everett Ellefsen, Antoine Everett, Danyel Hunter, Jereon McGilvery, Hunter Romero, Aaron Sam, Kendale Thomas, and Deonte Thompson.
 
Following Saturday's loss, the Cowboys dropped in both FCS polls but are still the second-highest ranked team from the Southland Conference. McNeese fell from No. 11 to 17 in the coaches poll while dropping from No. 13 to 19 in the Sports Network poll.
 
Southeastern Louisiana remained at No. 10 in both polls while Sam Houston State moved into the SN poll at No. 23.
 
The Bearkats and Lions will be looking to lock up a piece of the Southland title this weekend while needing help to win the automatic berth. SLU hosts Nicholls on Thursday night while Sam Houston hosts Central Arkansas on Saturday. In other action that could be a factor on whether the Cowboys are considered for an at-large berth is the Northwestern State at Stephen F. Austin game.
 
The final week of the season is as exciting as its ever been with seven conference teams forcing that fat singing lady to hold off until the last minute.
 
The Sports Network Top 25
1.  New Hampshire
2.  Coastal Carolina
3.  North Dakota State
4.  Jacksonville State
5.  Eastern Washington
6.  Villanova
7.  Fordham
8.  Illinois State
9.  Chattanooga
10. Southeastern Louisiana
11. Northern Iowa
12. Montana State
13. Montana
14. Eastern Kentucky
15. Harvard
16. South Dakota State
17. James Madison
18. Indiana State
19. McNeese 
20. Youngstown State
21. Richmond
22. William & Mary
23. Sam Houston State
24. North Carolina A&T
25. Bethune-Cookman
 
FCS Coaches Poll
1.  Coastal Carolina
2.  New Hampshire
3.  Jacksonville State
4.  North Dakota State
5.  Eastern Washington
6.  Villanova
7.  Illinois State
8.  Fordham
9.  Chattanooga
10. Southeastern Louisiana
11. Northern Iowa
12. Montana State
13. Montana
14. Harvard
15. South Dakota State
16. Eastern Kentucky
17. McNeese 
18. Indiana State
19. William & Mary
20. Youngstown State
21. Richmond
22. James Madison
23. Alcorn State
24. Bethune-Cookman
25. Sacred Heart