News/Commentary

FCS Coaches' Poll: South Carolina State Enters Top 25

November 11, 2024 by AFCA.com

Winners of six straight games, the South Carolina State Bulldogs enter the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll, presented by Hudl, for the first time this season at No. 23. SCSU used a dominant defense that recorded six sacks and four interceptions to beat defending MEAC champion Howard, 38-14. The Bulldogs are undefeated in MEAC play with two games left and will travel to Morgan State this coming Saturday.

The top five remained unchanged but the rest of the top 25 reshuffled thanks to six losses by previously ranked teams. Southeast Missouri State lost to Lindenwood, 24-12 and dropped seven spots to No. 13. Montana lost to No. 4 UC Davis, 30-14 and fell four places to No. 11. Delaware beat then-No. 10 Rhode Island, 24-21, causing the Rams to tumble eight spots to No. 18. Central Arkansas, William & Mary and North Dakota lost, causing all three teams to fall out of the rankings.

There are two big top 25 matchups this coming weekend with huge conference title implications. First is No. 1 North Dakota State hosting No. 14 Missouri State for the top spot in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. The second has undefeated and No. 2 Montana State traveling to No. 4 UC Davis to see who remains on top of the Big Sky Conference.

See: Congrove Computer Rankings (Top 129)

Learn more at AFCA.com.

Rank School (1st votes) W-L Points LW
1 North Dakota St. (24) 9-1 648 1
2 Montana St. (2) 10-0 622 2
3 South Dakota St. 8-2 598 3
4 UC Davis 9-1 570 4
5 South Dakota 7-2 527 5
6 UIW 8-2 500 8
7 Richmond 8-2 479 9
8 Villanova 8-2 433 11
9 Mercer 9-1 416 13
10 Idaho 7-3 393 12
11 Montana 7-3 348 7
12 Tarleton St. 8-2 342 14
13 Southeast Missouri St. 8-2 334 6
14 Missouri St. 8-2 310 15
15 ACU 7-3 283 16
16 Illinois St. 7-3 270 17
17 Stony Brook 8-2 251 18
18 Rhode Island 8-2 239 10
19 UT Martin 7-3 186 22
20 Jackson St. 8-2 181 20
21 Duquesne 7-2 146 24
22 Harvard 7-1 88 25
23 South Carolina St. 7-2 66 NR
24 Dartmouth 7-1 35 NR
25t. Butler 8-2 31 NR
25t. Chattanooga 6-4 31 NR

Dropped Out: Central Arkansas (19), William & Mary (21), North Dakota (23)

Others Receiving Votes: Central Arkansas, 29; Drake, 18; William & Mary, 18; Tennessee St., 16; North Carolina Central, 13; North Dakota, 12; Northern Arizona, 7; East Tennessee St., 6; Southeastern Louisiana, 3; Eastern Kentucky, 1.