Final FCS Football Top 25 Rankings

RankTeamCommentsPrior
1north Dakota State LogoNorth Dakota StateBison rolled past Montana State in the Finals to claim a ninth FCS Championship in eleven seasons! The stampede keeps rolling!3
2James Madison LogoJames MadisonDukes made it to the semis, but could quite get past NDSU. Now they'll transition to the FBS. Good luck.2
3Montana State LogoMontana StateBobcats made a terrific run through the playoffs, unfortunately were blown out by NDSU in the championship game.7
4South Dakota State LogoSouth Dakota StateJackrabbits turned road warriors in the playoffs, winning three games before falling to Montana State in the semifinals.13
5Sam Houston State LogoSam HoustonBearkats FCS swan song was cut short in the quarters by Montana State. No repeat in the fall. Good luck in the move to FBS.1
6Montana LogoMontanaGrizzlies turned away EWU, but were ravaged by injuries at JMU. A really good year nonetheless.9
7#20 Villanova FCS Football 2021 PreviewVillanovaWildcats were a victim of a red hot SDSU squad in the quarterfinals. Still a good season in Philly.4
8East Tennessee State FCS Football Top 25East Tennessee StateBuccaneers stole a win over Kennesaw State in true pirate fashion. However, they were plundered in their trip to NDSU.8
9Eastern Washington LogoEastern WashingtonEagles beat UNI in First Round but could not pull the season sweep at Montana.5
10Kennesaw State FCS Football Top 25Kennesaw State Owls had their hearts snatched away in the Second Round by ETSU. Still, they were the Big South Conference champs.11
11Sacramento State FCS Football Top 25Sacramento StateHornets received the #4 seed but were "gifted" a Second Round game with SDSU. Pretty tough draw.6
12Incarnate Word FCS Football Top 25Incarnate WordCardinals almost came through in the "Texas Quarter," losing to SHSU by a score. Can they keep momentum with QB Ward in portal?14
13Southern Illinois LogoSouthern Illinois

Salukis beat inconference South Dakota. North Dakota State was a way different story. They're quickly climbing in national prominance.

16
14Southeastern Louisiana LogoSoutheastern LouisianaLions destroyed FAMU in First Round, had the same done to them by JMU in the Second. QB Kelly will be gone. Get them some defense!17
15FCS Football Top 25 Tennessee-Martin  Tennessee-MartinSkyhawks miracled their way to a win over Missouri State. No apologies, you make your own luck sometimes. Is the OVC theirs for now?15
16Missouri State FCS Football Top 25Missouri StateBears were upset in the First Round by UTM. No one but themselves to blame, turning the ball over six times. Program is still headed up.10
17UC Davis LogoUC DavisAggies were given a First Round home game, then given SDSU as an opponent. No thanks. Still a good year in the Bay Area.12
18South Dakota FCS Football Top 25South DakotaCoyotes looked like lost sheep when playing Southern Illinois. Still a much better than expected season. Now to build on it.20
19Northern IowaNorthern IowaPanthers were the lone 6-5 team to make the playoffs and showed up large despite falling at EWU. Will they ever get over the hump?21
20Holy CrossHoly CrossCrusaders turned away Sacred Heart in the First, but Villanova was too much in the Second Round. Can any Patriot Leaguer stop them?25
21Stephen F. Austin FCS Football Top 25Stephen F. AustinLumberjacks lost to instate Incarnate Word in the First Round. Expect them to fill the SHSU void in the new WAC alignment.19
22Mercer FCS Football Top 25MercerBears sat on the sidelines during the playoffs and had to be thinking they would have performed better than a few who made it.22
23Dartmouth FCS Football Top 25DartmouthBig Green sat idle during the playoffs, enjoying class instead of kicking, ahem, butt. Come on Ivy League, let your champions play!NR
24Florida A&MFlorida A&M
Rattlers made the playoffs, despite an undeserving resume, and were thrashed by SLU in the First Round. Still program is rising fast.23
25Sacred Heart FCS Football Top 25Sacred HeartPioneers were the Northeast Conference champions and lost a close First Round game at Holy Cross. Are they the new NEC elite?NR

 

 

 Madness FCS Power Rankings