UPDATE:
It seems the poll people are CHANGING the National poll standard. They have "SUDDENLY" realized that the 1-AA "Southern Conference" is as good as several 1-A level conferences. The eventual outcome, according to SOME writers, MIGHT be the elevation of the Southern Conference to "Bowl level" status.

The Southern Conference consists of THESE schools: Appalachian St., Citadel, Furman, Wofford, Georgia Southern, Chattanooga, Elon, Western Carolina.

My commentary:
The national level teams are realizing that the "small schools" of the Southern Conference are SERIOUS sports schools and can be a real threat to a major team. The ACC and SEC teams have known that for decades. Back in the 1960s, when Georgia Tech was an independent school and a national championship threat, Chattanooga BEAT them at times. My father was a student there during one of those games. To see the threat, note how FEW games there are between SEC or ACC schools and Southern Conference schools. Many years, Furman (for example) could actually beat ANY of them, or at least have a rather close game (closer than several other SEC or ACC rivals).

So, "Respect the Southern Conference."