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 7 Top-25 Ballot
25. Elon (5-2)
Week 7: 17-10 Loss To #25 Rhode Island
24. Campbell (4-2)
Week 7: 41-10 Win Over Robert Morris
23. UT Martin (4-2)
Week 7: Bye Week
22. Fordham (6-1)
Week 7: 45-14 Win Over Stony Brook
21. Austin Peay (5-2)
Week 7: 52-17 Win Over Murray State
20. Rhode Island (4-2)
Week 7: 17-10 Win Over #14 Elon
19. Richmond (4-2)
Week 7: 20-10 Win Over #17 Villanova
18. North Dakota (4-2)
Week 7: Bye Week
17. Southern Illinois (5-2)
Week 7: 30-7 Win Over Western Illinois
16. Southeast Missouri State (5-1)
Week 7: Bye Week
15. Samford (5-1)
Week 7: Bye Week
14. Montana (5-1)
Week 7: 30-23 Loss To Idaho
13. Chattanooga (5-1)
Week 7: 41-13 Win Over VMI
12. Idaho (4-2)
Week 7: 30-23 Win Over #3 Montana
11. Delaware (5-1)
Week 7: Bye Week
10. William & Mary (5-1)
Week 7: Bye Week
9. Incarnate Word (6-1)
Week 7: 49-14 Win Over Nicholls State
8. Jackson State (6-0)
Week 7: 48-8 Win Over Bethune-Cookman
7. Mercer (6-1)
Week 7: 55-33 Win Over East Tennessee State
6. Holy Cross (6-0)
Week 7: Bye Week
5. North Dakota State (5-2)
Week 7: 23-21 Loss To #2 South Dakota State
4. Weber State (6-0)
Week 7: 42-7 Win Over Portland State
3. Montana State (6-1)
Week 7: 37-14 Win Over Northern Colorado
2. Sacramento State (6-0)
Week 7: 52-28 Win Over Eastern Washington
1. South Dakota State (6-1)
Week 7: 23-21 Win Over #1 North Dakota State
Analysis On Week 7 Performances:
We have a new #1 team on our ballot for the first time this season after South Dakota State’s 23-21 win over North Dakota State. South Dakota State was led by RB Isaiah Davis (114 Rushing Yards) as the Jackrabbits rushed for over 200 yards against the Bison this weekend. The Bison dropped to #5 on my ballot after their 2nd loss of the season. I do believe North Dakota State is a Top-5 team in the country and I think Monday’s FCS Stats Perform Poll will reflect that sentiment. There should be some concern following multiple uninspiring performances the past few weeks, which is why I believe all four teams ahead of the Bison have better resumes entering Week 8.
Idaho jumped into the Top-12 after the impressive upset win against #3 Montana this weekend. The Vandals are undefeated against FCS opponents this season and the only losses on their resume are to Power-5 programs. The Vandals defense looked extremely impressive this weekend after forcing multiple Lucas Johnson turnovers, while Gevani McCoy continued his stellar season for the Vandals against one of the most talented defenses in the country.
Montana dropped from #3 to #14 after their loss to the Vandals at home this past weekend. Some may suggest that is a steep drop for the Griz, but the resume is not impressive through the first seven weeks of the season. The Griz currently have played the 60th toughest schedule in the country with zero Top-25 wins on their resume. The Griz also looked unimpressive in an 8-point win against Idaho State in Week 6, which is why the Griz dropped outside my Top-10 in this week’s rankings.
Sacramento State, Montana State, and Weber State all have solid arguments for the #2 spot in the rankings. Sacramento State has played the toughest strength of schedule this season and has a 31-point FBS win on their resumes, which is why I gave the Hornets the edge. The Hornets will also have another Top-15 matchup this weekend against Montana. Weber State will play Montana State this upcoming weekend and that will settle the debate between the Bobcats and the Wildcats.
There were not a lot of changes throughout my ballot. Rhode Island was already ranked last week before their impressive win over #14 Elon, while Richmond picked up a solid win over #17 Villanova. I did not have the Wildcats ranked last week as they were not impressive over the first few weeks of the season, which is why I was not surprised that the Spiders emerged victorious this weekend. Elon dropped in the rankings after their loss to Rhode Island, but has a strong enough resume to stay in my Top-25 due to their win over William & Mary and Richmond this season.
Notable Week 8 Games: #4 Weber State @ #3 Montana State, #14 Montana @ #2 Sacramento State, #1 South Dakota State @ #18 North Dakota, #24 Campbell @ #8 Jackson State, #7 Mercer @ #13 Chattanooga, #25 Elon @ New Hampshire, #19 Richmond @ Hampton
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