News/Commentary

FCS Coaches' Poll: Major Shakeup In Rankings As FCS Playoffs Set To Begin

November 20, 2023 by AFCA.com

No. 1 South Dakota State finished the 2023 regular season undefeated for the first time in school history. The Jackrabbits beat Missouri State, 35-17, and moved their record to 11-0. They also received the No. 1 overall seed in the FCS playoffs and will host the winner of No.20 Mercer vs. Gardner-Webb in the second round.

The rest of the Top 25 has been reshuffled thanks to losses by nine ranked teams in the final week of the regular season, including four in the Top 10. Furman dropped a 19-13 decision to Wofford and fell four spots to No. 6 allowing Montana to move up to No. 2 after they beat in-state rival Montana State, 37-7. The loss caused the Bobcats to drop four places to No. 8. South Dakota moves up to No. 3 after its 48-6 victory over Western Illinois. The Coyotes are followed by Idaho at No. 4, who dominated Idaho State, 63-21.

Florida A&M, who plays Prairie View A&M on December 2 for the SWAC title, moves up to No. 5 thanks to Delaware’s loss to Villanova, 35-7. The Blue Hens fell six spots to No. 12 while the Wildcats jump six places to No. 9. Albany had the biggest move in the poll, rising eight places to No. 15 after its 41-0 blowout of Monmouth (N.J.). Conversely, UT Martin had the largest fall after losing to Samford, 27-17. The Skyhawks dropped eight spots to No. 21.

Rank School (1st votes) Rec. Pts. Prev. Last Next
1 South Dakota St. (24) 11-0 600 1 D. Missouri St., 35-17 12/2 TBD
2 Montana 10-1 570 3 D. (4) Montana St., 37-7 12/2 TBD
3 South Dakota 9-2 552 5 D. Western Illinois, 48-6 12/2 TBD
4 Idaho 8-3 479 8 D. Idaho St., 63-21 12/2 TBD
5 Florida A&M 10-1 454 7 D. Bethune-Cookman, 24-7 12/2 Prairie View A&M
6 Furman 9-2 447 2 L. Wofford, 19-13 12/2 TBD
7 North Dakota St. 8-3 443 9 D. Northern Iowa, 48-27 11/25 Drake
8 Montana St. 8-3 413 4 L. (3) Montana, 37-7 12/2 TBD
9 Villanova 9-2 399 15 D. (6) Delaware, 35-7 12/2 TBD
10 Austin Peay 9-2 382 12 D. (20t) Central Arkansas, 14-12 11/25 (19) Chattanooga
11 UIW 8-2 317 11 D. Houston Christian, 45-24 Season Complete
12 Delaware 8-3 310 6 L. (15) Villanova, 35-7 11/25 (18) Lafayette
13 North Carolina Central 9-2 290 14 D. Delaware St., 55-14 11/25 at (25) Richmond
14 North Dakota 7-4 260 17 D. Illinois St., 22-21 11/25 (16) Sacramento St.
15 Albany 9-3 257 23 D. Monmouth, 41-0 12/2 TBD
16 Sacramento St. 7-4 209 10 L. UC Davis, 31-21 11/25 at (14) North Dakota
17 Southern Illinois 7-4 204 20t D. Indiana St., 38-9 11/25 Nicholls
18 Lafayette 9-2 186 22 D. Lehigh, 49-21 11/25 at (12) Delaware
19 Chattanooga 7-4 182 16 L. Alabama, 66-10 11/25 at (10) Austin Peay
20 Mercer 8-3 169 24 Idle 11/25 Gardner-Webb
21 UT Martin 8-3 162 13 L. Samford, 27-17 Season Complete
22 Holy Cross 7-4 75 25 D. Georgetown, 31-10 Season Complete
23 Youngstown St. 7-4 68 NR D. Murray St., 34-17 11/25 Duquesne
24 Eastern Illinois 8-3 59 NR D. Robert Morris, 28-14 Season Complete
25 Richmond 8-3 57 NR D. William & Mary, 27-26 11/25 (13) NC Central

Dropped Out: Western Carolina (18), Harvard (19), Central Arkansas (20t)

Others Receiving Votes: Western Carolina, 46; UC Davis, 45; Harvard, 42; Central Arkansas, 32; Nicholls, 23; Illinois St., 13; Yale, 13; Gardner-Webb, 12; Tarleton, 11; Drake, 5; William & Mary, 5; Rhode Island, 4; Duquesne, 3; Bryant, 1; Samford, 1.

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