Week 2 FCS Football Rankings: Major Shake-Up in the Top 25

Check out our latest FCS Top 25 rankings for the 2023 college football season. South Dakota State retains the top position, while NDSU moves up to #2.

South Dakota State celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Montana State
Source: South Dakota State Athletics

The Week 2 FCS Top 25 rankings for the 2023 college football season have been released, bringing significant changes and surprises. This update marks our first since the preseason, and the FCS has been nothing short of unpredictable.

These rankings result from a voting process, where each ballot carries its unique weight. A first-place vote commands an impressive 25 points, with the value decreasing by one point for each subsequent ranking, reaching a single point for the 25th-ranked team. This approach ensures that every perspective is considered, scrutinizing every team's performance.

South Dakota State continues to lead the rankings at #1. However, the journey to the top has been far from straightforward. Montana State, a preseason favorite, now stands at #3 after a 1-1 start. This unexpected shift provides an opportunity for North Dakota State to ascend to #2, showcasing their early-season dominance.

Notably, the Big Sky conference boasts an impressive presence in the Top 25, with six representatives solidifying their standing. Meanwhile, the Southern Conference (SoCon) also makes its mark with four teams in the mix. These numbers underline the competitive depth of these conferences and the formidable talent they bring to the FCS landscape.

Redshirt Sports FCS Top 25 Poll

1. South Dakota State (2-0) — 125

2. North Dakota State (2-0) — 118

3. Montana State (1-1) — 114

4. William & Mary (2-0, 1-0 CAA) — 103

T5. Idaho (2-0) — 100

T5. Holy Cross (1-1) — 100

7. Furman (1-1) — 96

8. Weber State (2-0) — 95

9. Sacramento State (2-0) — 86

10. Incarnate Word (1-1) — 81

11. Montana (2-0) — 74

12. North Dakota (2-0) — 66

13. New Hampshire (1-1) — 59

14. Southern Illinois (2-0) — 50

15. UC Davis (1-1) — 49

16. Southeast Missouri State (1-1, 1-0 Big South-OVC) — 48

17. North Carolina Central (2-0) — 39

18. Samford (1-1, 0-1 SoCon) — 38

19. Rhode Island (1-1, 1-0 CAA) — 31

20. Mercer (2-1) — 23

21. Western Carolina (1-1, 1-0 SoCon) — 21

22. Florida A&M (1-1, 1-0 SWAC) — 20

23. Southeastern Louisiana (0-2) — 19

24. Delaware (1-1, 1-0 CAA) — 15

25. Youngstown State (1-1) — 13

Others Receiving Votes:

  • Gardner-Webb (1-1) — 9
  • Villanova (2-0) — 8
  • UT-Martin (1-1) — 7
  • Fordham (2-1) — 6
  • Yale (0-0) — 5
  • Illinois State (2-0, 1-0 MVFC) — 2
  • Central Arkansas (1-1) — 1
  • Morgan State (1-1) — 1