FCS Computer Rankings - Half of Top 10 Were Idle, Two Losses Shake Up the Order

September 24, 2023 by CollegeFootballPoll.com Staff

Five of the top ten teams had a bye week and moved up in the FCS version of the Congrove Computer Rankings at CollegeFootballPoll.com, thanks to losses by two others who didn't have that luxury.

South Dakota State stays at No. 1 after a week off in preparation for this week's home game against North Dakota which also had a bye week. North Dakota inched up from 8th to 7th in response to 6th-ranked Montana's loss at then-No. 97 Northern Arizona. The Griz fall from 6th to 11th while the Lumberjacks rise twenty spots to No. 77.

Montana State remains at No. 2 after going to Ogden and mauling Weber State 40-0. The Wildcats make a major tumble from 13th to 30th.

North Dakota State stays put at No. 3 after its bye week as the Bison welcome No. 25 South Dakota this Saturday.

William & Mary moves up a notch into the 4th spot on the heels of a 28-3 home win over Maine. The Tribe take Sacramento State's spot after the Hornets lost at Idaho and drop from 4th to 6th while the Vandals rise from 12th to 10th.

Furman climbs from 7th to 5th after a 38-14 home win over then-No. 20 Mercer. The Bears fall to 33rd.

Two other idle teams are up next in the rankings, each gaining a spot while not playing. Youngstown State moves up to 8th , and Southern Illinois takes the 9-spot.

Nine of the top eleven teams are a member of either the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) or the Big Sky. However, nine different conferences are represented in the Top 25

(SEE: FCS Computer Rankings - Complete Top 128)

Top 25 Breakdown By Conference

MVFC
1. South Dakota State
3. North Dakota Stat
7. North Dakota
8. Youngstown State
9. Southern Illinois
15. Illinois State
25. South Dakota

BIG SKY
2. Montana State
6. Sacramento State
10. Idaho
11. Montana

CAA
4. William & Mary
13. Villanova
18. Delaware
19. Elon

SoCon (Southern Conference)
5. Furman
12. Chattanooga
16. Western Carolina

UAC
20. Central Arkansas
21. Austin Peay
23. Stephen F. Austin

BIG SOUTH-OHIO VALLEY
22. Tennessee-Martin

MEAC
24. North Carolina Central

PATRIOT
14. Holy Cross

SOUTHLAND
17. Incarnate Word