FCS Playoff Committee Reveals Initial Top 10 Rankings

The FCS playoff committee unveiled its first Top 10 rankings during today's broadcast of College Football Live on ESPN2. These rankings represent the committee's current assessment of the nation's top teams and will evolve as the season progresses.

The committee's next rankings update is scheduled for November 5.

Current FCS Playoff Committee Top 10

1. North Dakota State
2. South Dakota State
3. Tarleton State
4. Montana State
5. Montana
6. UC Davis
7. Lehigh
8. North Dakota
9. Monmouth
10. Tennessee Tech

Comparison to Redshirt Sports Rankings

The committee's rankings show strong alignment with our Week 7 Top 25, with the top six teams identical in both rankings.

Evaluation Criteria

The committee evaluates teams using multiple factors, including win-loss records, strength of schedule, input from Regional Advisory Committees, and direct video review of games. Additionally, the committee may reference four statistical metrics based exclusively on current-season performance: KPI, Massey Ratings, and ESPN's dual Football Power Indexes.

Key Matchups Ahead

Significant movement in the rankings is anticipated as several marquee games remain on the schedule. Notable upcoming contests include South Dakota State welcoming North Dakota State, North Dakota hosting both NDSU and SDSU, Montana State facing UC Davis at home, the Montana-Montana State rivalry game, and Tarleton State's gauntlet against three ranked opponents.

Championship Information

The FCS Selection Show is set to air November 23 at noon Eastern Time on ESPNU. The season will culminate with the national championship game on January 5 at FirstBank Stadium on Vanderbilt's campus in Nashville.