Nine ranked teams lost last week, just two weeks before the FCS playoffs. Here’s how that affected NCAA FCS football reporter Stan Becton’s latest Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll vote.

Each week, the FCS’ top teams are nationally ranked by both FCS coaches and FCS media. I, Stan Becton, am obviously not a coach, but I am part of the FCS media and I do have a vote in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll. I submit my ballot every week, ranking my top 25 FCS teams.

Remember, this is my only ballot out of the 56 total voters in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll – and only one ballot out of the 23 national representatives voting. That is, yes, my ballot does influence the poll, but it is in no way the deciding factor.

Nevertheless, here is my Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll vote for this week.

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OFFICIAL RANKINGS: Click or tap here for the latest STATS Perform Rankings

1. Montana State (11-0) | Previous ranking: 2 (where I ranked them: 2)

A win over a top-five team in UC Davis puts Montana State back at the top of my ballot. Additionally, FBS New Mexico’s win over Washington State yesterday makes Montana’s resume more impressive.

2. North Dakota State (10-1) | Previous ranking: 1 (Where I ranked them: 1)

North Dakota State is ranked No. 2 ahead of the season finale against a top-five South Dakota team.

3. South Dakota State (9-2) | Previous ranking: 3 (where I ranked them: 3)

South Dakota State dominated Southern Illinois last week and is clearly the No. 3 team at this point in the season.

4. South Dakota (8-2) | Previous ranking: 5 (where I ranked them: 5)

South Dakota got past North Dakota with a dominant second half to win 42-36.

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5. UC Davis (9-2) | Previous ranking: 4 (where I ranked them: 4)

UC Davis remains in the top five after a loss to Montana State. The Aggies still have wins over Idaho and Montana, a pair of top-10 teams.

6. Idaho (8-3) | Previous ranking: 8 (where I ranked them: 6)

Idaho has won four straight games and is in great position for a playoff bye.

7. Mercer (9-2) | Previous ranking: 7 (where I ranked them: 7)

Mercer won’t drop me after losing to Alabama from the FBS.

8. UIW (9-2) | Previous ranking: 6 (where I ranked them: 8)

UIW swept the Southland with its win last week.

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9. Montana (8-3) | Previous ranking: 10 (where I ranked them: 10)

Montana returned to the win column ahead of the Brawl of the Wild vs. Montana State.

10. Abilene Christian (8-3) | Previous ranking: 14 (where I ranked them: 11)

Abilene Christian is the UAC champion after a blowout win over Tarleton State.

11. Richmond (9-2) | Previous ranking: 11 (where I ranked them: 12)

Richmond has secured the CAA auto bid, now it just needs to beat William and Mary to stay in contention for a bye.

12. Rhode Island (9-2) | Previous ranking: 15 (where I ranked them: 13)

Rhode Island’s only FCS loss is to Delaware, a transition team. The Rams recently defeated UAlbany, demonstrating their ability to win close games.

13. Southeast Missouri State (9-2) | Previous ranking: 12 (where I ranked them: 15)

SEMO played it close, but ultimately prevailed over Western Illinois, 54-45.

14. Duquesne (8-2) | Previous ranking: 22 (where I ranked them: 18)

Duquesne won its eighth straight game and remained undefeated against FCS competition.

15. Tarleton State (8-3) | Previous ranking: 13 (where I ranked them: 9)

Tarleton State remains in the top 15 after a loss to Abilene Christian.

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16. Illinois State (8-3) | Previous ranking: 17 (where I ranked them: 19)

Illinois State is one win away from its first postseason appearance since 2019.

17. Villanova (8-3) | Previous ranking: 9 (where I ranked them: 14)

The FCS bubble got a lot more interesting after Villanova’s loss to Monmouth.

18. Jackson State (9-2) | Previous ranking: 23 (where I ranked them: 22)

Jackson State won the SWAC East with a win over Alabama State.

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19. Harvard (7-1) | Previous ranking: 20 (where I ranked them: 25)

Harvard enters the top 25 after capturing at least a share of the Ivy League title.

20. New Hampshire (7-4) | Previous ranking: NR (Where I ranked them: NR)

New Hampshire joins my ballot in the top 20, ranking higher than the Stony Brook team it defeated.

21. Stony Brook (8-3) | Previous ranking: 16 (where I ranked them: 16)

Stony Brook lost to New Hampshire, but still remains ranked as the Seawolves’ only second FCS loss.

22. South Carolina State (8-2) | Previous ranking: NR (Where I ranked them: NR)

South Carolina State has been dominant from the opening whistle in the last two games. That gets the Bulldogs on my ballot.

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23. Northern Arizona (7-4) | Previous ranking: 25 (where I ranked them: NR)

Northern Arizona has won four straight games in their late postseason push.

24. UT Martin (7-4) | Previous ranking: 18 (where I ranked them: 17)

UT Martin falls after a stunning loss to Tennessee Tech.

25. Eastern Kentucky (7-4) | Previous ranking: NR (Where I ranked them: NR)

After an overtime win over Austin Peay, Eastern Kentucky gets in my mood. The Colonels have won four games in a row, including two classification victories.

Who dropped out of last week’s official rankings: Chattanooga (19), ETSU (21), Central Arkansas (24)