News/Commentary

FCS Coaches' Poll: ACU Rises To 12th With Late TD to Claim UAC's AQ Bid

November 18, 2024 by Dave Congrove

Tarleton State led 31-28 with 1:48 left to go in the game when ACU quarterback Maverick McIvor led the Wildcats on a 75-yard drive that culminated in a 1-yard touchdown pass to Sam Hicks for a 35-31 lead and the eventual winning score. The Texans drove the length of the field on their subsequent possession, but a Hail Mary pass was knocked down by the ACU defense on the final play. With the win, ACU claims the United Athletic Conference title and the automatic berth in the FCS playoffs, both of which are firsts for the Wildcats. ACU and Tarleton swap places in the new AFCA FCS Coaches' Poll Presented by Hudl as the Wildcats rise to 12th while the Texans drop to 16th.

North Dakota State remains No. 1 and the MVFC title is still up for grabs between the Bison, No. 4 South Dakota and No. 3 South Dakota State. NDSU is the only one of the three that completely controls its own destiny which means the Bison get the AQ bid with a win at South Dakota on Saturday.

No. 2 Montana State intercepted a 2-point conversion pass attempt with 34 seconds left in the de facto Big Sky championship game at UC-Davis to seal a 30-28 victory and claim the conference AQ bid.

Tennessee State enters the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll for the first time this season at No. 25. The 8-3 Tigers have secured their most wins since 2012, and host SEMO this Saturday with the Big South/OVC title on the line. SEMO is the only one of three schools that controls its own destiny (win and in), but Tennessee State and Tennessee Tech have a path with some help.

SEE: FCS AQ scenarios

See: Congrove Computer Rankings (Top 129), This Week's Schedule, Odds and Picks.

Learn more at AFCA.com.

Rank School (1st votes) W-L Points LW
1 North Dakota St. (23) 10-1 647 1
2 Montana St. (3) 11-0 623 2
3 South Dakota St. 9-2 601 3
4 South Dakota 8-2 544 5
5 UC Davis 9-2 529 4
6 UIW 9-2 515 6
7 Richmond 9-2 490 7
8 Idaho 8-3 435 10
9 Mercer 9-2 428 9
10 Montana 8-3 392 11
11 Southeast Missouri St. 9-2 386 13
12 ACU 8-3 356 15
13 Illinois St. 8-3 317 16
14 Villanova 8-3 290 8
15 Rhode Island 9-2 288 18
16 Tarleton St. 8-3 244 12
17 Jackson St. 9-2 237 20
18 Missouri St. 8-3 221 14
19 Duquesne 8-2 178 21
20 Stony Brook 8-3 139 17
21t. Harvard 8-1 130 22
21t. South Carolina St. 8-2 130 23
23 Butler 9-2 65 25t
24 UT Martin 7-4 63 19
25 Tennessee St. 8-3 52 NR

Dropped Out: Dartmouth (24), Chattanooga (25t)

Others Receiving Votes: Northern Arizona, 41; North Carolina Central, 32; William & Mary, 29; Drake, 10; Southeastern Louisiana, 8; Eastern Kentucky, 7; New Hampshire, 7; Chattanooga, 5; Southern Utah, 4; Dartmouth, 3; North Dakota, 3; Central Arkansas, 1.