We have the honor of being one of the 54 voters in the FCS Stats Perform Top-25 for the 2022 season. Each week we will release our official ballot and provide some explanation for the biggest movers in our FCS Top-25 each week at the FCS level. You can also hear the rationale on our weekly FCS Recap on our YouTube channel every Sunday/Monday night.
Week 6 Top-25 Ballot
25. Idaho (3-2)
Week 6: Bye Week
24. Campbell (3-2)
Week 6: 34-28 Win Over Charleston Southern
23. Austin Peay (4-2)
Week 6: Bye Week
22. Rhode Island (3-2)
Week 6: Bye Week
21. UT Martin (4-2)
Week 6: 45-16 Win Over Murray State
20. Richmond (3-2)
Week 6: Bye Week
19. Fordham (5-1)
Week 6: 40-28 Win Over Lehigh
18. North Dakota (4-2)
Week 6: 35-30 Win Over Youngstown State
17. Southern Illinois (4-2)
Week 6: 38-21 Win Over #20 Missouri State
16. Southeast Missouri State (5-1)
Week 6: 34-20 Win Over Tennessee Tech
15. Samford (5-1)
Week 6: 28-14 Win Over Wofford
14. Chattanooga (4-1)
Week 6: Bye Week
13. Delaware (5-1)
Week 6: 27-21 Loss To #16 William & Mary
12. William & Mary (5-1)
Week 6: 27-21 Win Over #6 Delaware
11. Elon (5-1)
Week 6: 27-10 Win Over Towson
10. Incarnate Word (5-1)
Week 6: 56-17 Win Over Lamar
9. Jackson State (5-0)
Week 6: 26-12 Win Over Alabama State
8. Mercer (5-1)
Week 6: 49-6 Win Over Western Carolina
7. Holy Cross (6-0)
Week 6: 57-0 Win Over Bucknell
6. Sacramento State (5-0)
Week 6: 55-7 Win Over Northern Colorado
5. Weber State (5-0)
Week 6: 45-21 Win Over #24 Eastern Washington
4. Montana State (5-1)
Week 6: 37-6 Win Over Idaho State
3. Montana (5-0)
Week 6: Bye Week
2. South Dakota State (5-1)
Week 6: 28-3 Win Over South Dakota
1. North Dakota State (5-1)
Week 6: 31-26 Win Over Indiana State
Analysis On Week 6 Performances:
New teams on my Top-25 ballot: Campbell & Idaho
Teams who dropped out of my Top-25: Missouri State & Southeastern Louisiana
Missouri State was a preseason Top-10 team and has not lived up to expectations in Bobby Petrino’s third season for the Bears. The Bears started the season strong with a Top-25 win over UT Martin, but have lost four straight games after a 2-0 start to the season. All three FCS losses have been by two scores or more, including the 38-21 loss to #17 Southern Illinois this past weekend. Southeastern Louisiana started the season with two tough FBS losses, but gained a ton of positive momentum with a huge Top-10 upset against Incarnate Word in Week 4. The Lions lost to Texas A&M-Commerce this weekend who came into the game at .500 with two wins below the FCS level, which is why they dropped out of my Top-25 this week.
Campbell enters my Top-25 ballot for the first time this season after a 34-28 win over Charleston Southern. The Camels only FCS loss was to a William & Mary team on the road who looks to be one of the best teams in the country right now. The last few spots were a debate for me, but Campbell dominated North Carolina Central which dominated New Hampshire and that gave Campbell the edge for one of the last two spots in my ballot. Idaho is the other newcomer to my ballot as the Vandals had a bye week this past weekend. The Vandals are undefeated in FCS play and have two competitive losses against two Power-5 opponents.
Weber State jumped into my Top-5 after a 45-21 win over #24 Eastern Washington this weekend. The Wildcats have been impressive this season with a Top-25 win and a 35-7 win over Utah State on their resume. Mercer also moved into my Top-10 for the first time this season after their dominant 49-6 win over Western Carolina. The Bears forced four interceptions and held one of the most explosive offenses in the country to less than 250 yards of total offense. The next few weeks will determine if Mercer can be a real contender this season in the FCS Playoffs as the Bears face ETSU, #14 Chattanooga, and end the season against #15 Samford.
Elon, William & Mary, and Delaware were ordered based on head to head performances. Elon mounted a huge 2nd half comeback against William & Mary, but the Tribe won a tough game against one of the best teams in the country in Delaware. I think all three of these teams could beat each other on any given Saturday, but as of right now Elon has earned the highest ranking with their on-field performance with their only loss coming against Vanderbilt in Week 1.
The Top-6 teams in my ballot could be shifted around, but I think the next few weeks will determine who the best teams in the country truly are. North Dakota State and South Dakota State will play for the #1 ranking next weekend in the Fargodome, while Montana has an interesting matchup against #25 Idaho. Ultimately I think the Top-6 teams in the country are clear and I think it could be safe to bet that the 2022 FCS National Champion is ranked somewhere in the Top-6 right now.
Notable Week 6 Games: #2 South Dakota State @ #1 North Dakota State, #11 Elon @ #22 Rhode Island, #25 Idaho @ #3 Montana, #6 Sacramento State @ Eastern Washington, East Tennessee State @ #8 Mercer, Villanova @ #20 Richmond
About The Author
Quick note – as there is a big difference in home field advantage – Idaho is at Montana. Washington Grizzly is a vastly more intimidating environment than the Kibbie Dome! And it pains me to say it as I’m a MSU Bobcat!!!