The latest FCS Top 25 Poll, curated by analyst Dom Izzo, highlights significant shifts following an eventful Week 11. The intra-state matchups in North and South Dakota captured considerable attention, while other results also impacted this week’s rankings. As teams continue to vie for playoff positioning, key performances and unexpected outcomes have reshaped the landscape.
In a noteworthy game, Monmouth faced a tough loss against New Hampshire, a setback compounded by the absence of star quarterback Derek Robertson. Despite their struggles, Monmouth remains in contention with an overall record of 8-2. Meanwhile, Montana narrowly escaped a comeback from Eastern Washington in Missoula, thanks to a critical late turnover. This performance prompted Izzo to shift the rankings, placing Montana State ahead of Montana after the Bobcats secured a decisive victory over Weber State, improving their record to 8-2 after starting the season 0-2.
FCS Top 25 Rankings Revealed
The current standings reflect the competitive nature of the league as teams strive for dominance. Here are the top teams for this week:
1. North Dakota State (10-0, defeated North Dakota) – Remains in the top spot after another solid performance.
2. Montana State (8-2, defeated Weber State) – Climbs to second place with a strong showing.
3. Montana (10-0, defeated Eastern Washington) – Holds on to an undefeated record despite the close call.
4. Lehigh (10-0, defeated Holy Cross) – Continues its impressive run.
5. Tarleton State (9-1, bye week) – Maintains its position following a strong start to the season.
6. Harvard (8-0, defeated Columbia) – Remains undefeated in the Ivy League.
7. Mercer (8-1, defeated Western Carolina) – Moves up in the rankings after a convincing win.
8. Tennessee Tech (10-0, defeated Eastern Illinois) – Continues its perfect season.
9. UC Davis (7-2, defeated Idaho) – Climbs the rankings with a solid victory.
10. North Dakota (6-4, lost to North Dakota State) – Drops after the defeat.
The rankings continue with Villanova, Youngstown State, and Illinois State making significant moves after their wins. Notably, Monmouth fell from ninth to fourteenth after their loss, while Rhode Island and Abilene Christian hold steady within the top 16.
Implications for the Playoffs
As the regular season approaches its conclusion, these rankings will play a crucial role in playoff seeding. Teams like South Dakota, currently at 18th with a record of 7-4, and South Dakota State, now at 19th with a record of 7-3, will need to secure victories in their upcoming games to improve their standings and enhance their playoff prospects.
The discussions among fans and analysts alike will focus on whether teams like Stephen F. Austin and Jackson State can maintain their momentum as the season progresses. The battle for the coveted playoff spots is heating up, and the stakes have never been higher as teams prepare for the final stretch of the season.
As the FCS landscape continues to evolve, fans are encouraged to digest and debate these rankings, anticipating how the upcoming weeks will shape the playoff picture.
