FCS Computer Rankings: Jackrabbits Hop Back To No. 1

September 22, 2024 by CollegeFootballPoll.com Staff

It feels like South Dakota State is exactly where they should be - sitting atop the Congrove Computer Rankings of all 129 FCS teams. After all, the Jackrabbits are the two-time defending champions and the only loss this season was in the opener, 44-20, at FBS member Oklahoma State.

Nonetheless, it's a narrow lead in ranking points with the computer showing SDSU at 53.69, while No. 2 Delaware is at 53.58, and No. 3 South Dakota is at 53.29.

Montana State and Idaho round out the top five.

To illustrate how fluid the computer rankings have been, Delaware was No.1 a week ago and the rest of the top five was Idaho, South Dakota State, North Dakota State and South Dakota.

Three different teams have held the No. 1 spot with the Jackrabbits in possession in weeks 1 and 5, the South Dakota Coyotes in week 2, and Delaware in weeks 3 and 4.

All of those teams saw action on Saturday.

South Dakota State pitched a 41-0 shutout at Southeastern Louisiana, while Idaho nearly gave away all of a 27-3 lead in a 27-24 escape at Abilene Christian.

The other three were at home where Delaware downed Penn 29-22, South Dakota routed then-No. 9 Drake 42-3, and Montana State showed no mercy in a 52-13 win over FCS newcomer Mercyhurst

North Dakota State, which fell 4th to 6th, was a 41-24 winner over Towson.

Montana stayed at No. 7 and needed a furious rally to avoid dropping in the rankings. The Bobcats fell behind in Missoula to Western Carolina, 17-0, early in the second quarter and still trailed 27-14 late in the opening half. But Montana would score again before the break, add two more touchdowns in the third, and another in fourth before the Catamounts could score again. Montana went on to win 46-35.

Central Arkansas, Villanova and Harvard round out the top 10, with North Dakota 11th and Illinois State 12th.

It should be noted that Delaware is ineligible for the FCS Playoffs this year as the Blue Hens have begun the transition process to the FBS, and the Ivy League schools don't participate in football beyond the regular season.

The FCS version of the Congrove Computer Rankings began in the 2020 Covid season. The FBS version of the rankings has been around since 1993 and is a recognized national selector by the NCAA. An NFL version began this year.

Get the rankings of all 129 FCS schools HERE.