| Rank | Team | Comments | Prior |
| 1 |  | South Dakota State | Jackrabbits had no problem at home with Indiana State. Potentially, their last road game in 2022 comes next, at Northern Iowa. | 1 |
| 2 |  | Sacramento State | Hornets won another close one at home, this time over Idaho. The resume is close to being the best. A win next week at Weber State may do it. | 2 |
| 3 |  | Montana State | Bobcats had the week off, prepping for a two week roadie. First one at Northern Arizona is sometimes tricky. | 3 |
| 4 |  | North Dakota State | Bison grind out a solid win at home against Illinois State. You figure the coming road tilt at Western Illinois will pose little issue. | 4 |
| 5 |  | Weber State | Wildcats followed their Montana State loss with a Montana win. The last of three grinders comes this week at home vs. Sac State. | 6 |
| 6 |  | Holy Cross | Crusaders needed every point they could muster to beat back Fordham. A home win over Lehigh next week would clinch the Patriot autobid. | 9 |
| 7 |  | Incarnate Word | Cardinals took a solid road win over TX A&M-Commerce. Outside looking in for the Southland auto, but a win vs. Houston Christian may clinch at-large. | 5 |
| 8 |  | Samford | Bulldogs won at The Citadel and are all alone atop the SoCon. Need home win vs. VMI because those last two games are both vs. ranked opponents. | 12 |
| 9 |  | William & Mary | Tribe were in a slobberknocker with Rhode Island and prevailed 31-30. Might be underranked still, considering the resume. Go to Hampton next week. | 10 |
| 10 |  | Idaho | Vandals fell just short, in the waning minutes at Sacramento State. That was their first FCS loss. Two home games coming with Eastern Washington next. | 11 |
| 11 |  | Furman | Paladins beat Chattanooga. The SoCon logjam is impressive and they're right in the middle of it. Week off coming before huge game vs. Furman. | 23 |
| 12 |  | Jackson State | Tigers shutout Southern, who looked like their best remaining opponent. Road game to Texas Southern comes next. Any stopping these Tigers? | 13 |
| 13 |  | Chattanooga | Mocs had been rolling. But that momentum was halted in their trip to Furman. The Citadel is up next, also on the road. | 7 |
| 14 |  | Mercer | Bears loss at Chattanooga didn't linger into this week, as they destroyed VMI. Like Furman, they'll take the week off to prepare for that coming matchup. | 15 |
| 15 |  | New Hampshire
| Wildcats had the week off. Still the only CAA undefeated, they travel to one of the two remaining that have only one conference loss - Richmond. | 16 |
| 16 |  | Rhode Island | Rams seem to get into tight, crazy games. Followed up the Monmouth overtime game with close loss at W&M. A rebound vs. Maine is now essential. | 17 |
| 17 |  | Richmond | Spiders took care of business in Maine. Last three are all toughies. The first at New Hampshire might be most important. | 20 |
| 18 |  | Fordham
| Rams used that bye week well in prep for Holy Cross and almost pulled the upset. Count on lots of offense at Bucknell next week. | 19 |
| 19 |  | Elon | Phoenix have played a brutal schedule. W's vs. W&M, Richmond and Delaware. L's to URI and UNH. Battle tested. Come home to face Albany now. | NR |
| 20 |  | Delaware | Blue Hens drop 12 spots after losing to Elon. Wonder if non-con wins over two MEAC schools will hurt them later. Home vs. dangerous Monmouth next. | 8 |
| 21 |  | Southeast Missouri | Redhawks lost at home to Eastern Kentucky. OVC title and autobid is still possible. A road win at Tennessee State would eliminate the Tigers. | 14 |
| 22 |  | Eastern Kentucky | Colonels recorded a vitally important win over SE Missouri. Right back to work in the ASUN/WAC next week at home vs. Central Arkansas. | NR |
| 23 |  | Princeton | Tigers are the lone undefeated Ivy Leaguer left having just disposed of Cornell. Home date with struggling Dartmouth cannot be overlooked. | 24 |
| 24 |  | UT Martin | Skyhawks followed the FBS Tennessee loss with a comfortable win over Houston Christian. Home non-con with Kennesaw State is next. | 21 |
| 25 |  | North Dakota | Fightin' Hawks win their final non-con at home vs. Abilene Christian. Next two opponents are combined 3-13, must haves. Indiana State is next. | NR |
