FCS Top 25 Rankings Week 7, 2025: North Dakota State Surges Past Illinois State on the Road

Week 7 FCS Football Highlights

North Dakota State solidified its position atop the FCS Top 25 rankings with a commanding 33-16 road victory over No. 6 Illinois State on Friday, October 4. Bison running back Barika Kpeenu rushed for a season-high 116 yards, including a crucial 42-yard touchdown that gave NDSU the lead for good late in the second quarter. Quarterback Cole Payton completed 12 of 14 passes for 194 yards with one touchdown and added 79 rushing yards while scoring two 2-point conversions as the Bison improved to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in MVFC play.​

The top of the FCS rankings experienced turbulence as several ranked teams fell in upset fashion. Rhode Island dropped from No. 8 to No. 17 after suffering a 28-21 loss to unranked Brown on Friday night. The Bears forced four turnovers, including a game-sealing interception by Miles Brophy with 37 seconds remaining. Meanwhile, No. 16 West Georgia fell to No. 22 Austin Peay 44-30, with Governors quarterback Chris Parson accounting for a career-high 346 passing yards and three touchdowns while adding two rushing scores. The victory marked Austin Peay's highest-ranked win since defeating No. 16 Eastern Kentucky in 2022.​

Conference races tightened across the FCS landscape as league play intensified. The Missouri Valley Football Conference showcased its depth with No. 2 South Dakota State escaping Youngstown with a 35-30 victory after trailing 17-7 at halftime. Running back Julius Loughridge rushed for three touchdowns in the third quarter as the Jackrabbits scored 21 unanswered points to seize control. In the Big Sky Conference, No. 4 Montana rallied from a 13-point deficit to defeat Idaho State 42-38, with Michael Wortham accounting for three touchdowns while totaling 247 all-purpose yards.​

Top 5: Championship Favorites

1. North Dakota State (5-0, 2-0 MVFC) —

The Bison delivered their most complete performance of the 2025 season with a 33-16 road victory over then-No. 6 Illinois State in front of a hostile Hancock Stadium crowd. NDSU's offensive line dominated the line of scrimmage, paving the way for 275 rushing yards while quarterback Cole Payton orchestrated a balanced attack. The Bison defense forced three turnovers, including a late-game interception by Ryan Jones that sealed the victory with 4:38 remaining. Linebacker Nathaniel Staehling recorded a game- and career-high 11 tackles plus a fumble recovery to anchor the defensive effort.​

Head coach Tim Polasek's squad has now won 19 consecutive regular-season games and holds the top spot in every major FCS poll. The Bison pulled away in the fourth quarter with touchdowns from Bryce Lance (23-yard reception) and DJ Scott (5-yard rush) to turn a 18-16 lead into a comfortable 33-16 advantage. Kpeenu's 42-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter proved to be the turning point, giving NDSU a 15-9 halftime lead they would never relinquish.​

NDSU will face its second consecutive ranked opponent when No. 8 Southern Illinois visits the Fargodome on Saturday, October 11. The Salukis enter the matchup riding a three-game winning streak after demolishing Indiana State 55-27. This showdown between Missouri Valley powers could determine positioning for the playoff seeding as both teams sit atop the conference standings at 2-0 in league play.​

2. South Dakota State (5-0, 1-0 MVFC) —

The Jackrabbits survived a stern test from Youngstown State, rallying from a 17-7 halftime deficit to escape Stambaugh Stadium with a 35-30 victory. SDSU's offense sputtered early as the Penguins defense forced a strip-sack in the second quarter, but head coach Dan Jackson's halftime adjustments sparked a dominant third-quarter performance. Running back Julius Loughridge rushed for three touchdowns in the third quarter, carrying 25 times for 176 yards as the Jackrabbits scored 21 unanswered points.​

Quarterback Chase Mason completed 18 of 28 passes for 264 yards and one touchdown while the SDSU defense tightened considerably after allowing 275 passing yards and 130 rushing yards to Youngstown quarterback Beau Brungard. The Jackrabbits converted crucial third downs late to seal the victory and maintain their perfect record through five games. Receiver Max Tomczak caught eight passes for 92 yards and three touchdowns for the Penguins, moving into second place on YSU's all-time receiving yards chart.​

South Dakota State will host Northern Iowa on Saturday, October 11, in a critical MVFC matchup. The Jackrabbits have outscored opponents 189-103 this season and rank among the FCS elite in both scoring offense and total defense. With their only remaining ranked regular-season opponent being the November 15 showdown at North Dakota State, the Jackrabbits control their destiny for an undefeated regular season.​

3. Tarleton State (6-0, 2-0 UAC) —

The Texans survived a wild shootout with Southern Utah, outlasting the Thunderbirds 52-42 in a game that featured six ties and three lead changes. Quarterback Daniel Greek threw for a career-high 281 yards and three touchdowns without an interception, extending Tarleton's streak to 18 consecutive touchdown passes without a pick. Redshirt freshman running back Tre Page III rushed for a career-high 198 yards on just 19 carries (10.4 yards per attempt) and scored two touchdowns as the Texans racked up 581 yards of total offense.​

Trailing 35-28 at halftime, head coach Todd Whitten's squad outscored Southern Utah 24-7 in the second half to pull away. Senior wide receiver Trevon West hauled in six receptions for 120 yards and a touchdown, while senior defensive back Ja'Voni Melidor collected his first interception of the season to stop a critical Southern Utah drive in the fourth quarter. The Texans have now scored 50-plus points in four consecutive games for the first time in program history, becoming just the second team in the Division I era to accomplish the feat.​

Tarleton State will travel to Utah Tech on Saturday, October 11, for a United Athletic Conference clash. The Texans rank fourth nationally in scoring offense at 47.8 points per game and have won nine of their last ten UAC contests. With defending conference champion Abilene Christian looming later in the schedule, the Texans need to maintain their unbeaten record to control their championship destiny.​

4. Montana (5-0, 2-0 Big Sky) —

The Grizzlies displayed remarkable resilience, rallying from a 31-18 third-quarter deficit to defeat Idaho State 42-38 in Pocatello. Montana's offense generated over 1,000 combined yards with Idaho State in a back-and-forth shootout that featured seven lead changes. Sophomore quarterback Keali'i Ah Yat completed 23 of 40 passes for 350 yards and one touchdown, outdueling ISU star quarterback Jordan Cooke.​

The catalyst for Montana's comeback was senior wide receiver Michael Wortham, who totaled 247 all-purpose yards while throwing for one touchdown and rushing for two more, including the game-winner. Wortham finished with 41 rushing yards, 124 receiving yards, and 82 kickoff return yards. Running back Eli Gillman added 48 hard-earned rushing yards with two total touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving). Montana's defense shut out Idaho State's high-flying offense in the fourth quarter, scoring 24 of the game's final 31 points to secure the victory.​

Montana will host Cal Poly on Saturday, October 11, at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. The Grizzlies have won six consecutive games dating back to last season and continue to prove they belong among the FCS elite despite playing in one of the nation's toughest conferences. Head coach Bobby Hauck's squad faces a manageable stretch before a November 1 showdown against rival Montana State.​

5. Montana State (4-2, 2-0 Big Sky) —

The Bobcats shook off a sluggish start to dominate No. 13 Northern Arizona 34-10 in Flagstaff. Special teams sparked Montana State's turnaround when Taco Dowler returned a punt 90 yards for a touchdown—the longest in program history—to tie the game 7-7 midway through the second quarter. The Bobcats then scored touchdowns on their next three possessions to blow the game open, outscoring NAU 27-3 after Dowler's electrifying return.​

Quarterback Justin Lamson completed 13 of 19 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns while adding 35 rushing yards and a score on the ground. Wide receiver Jabez Woods caught three passes for 100 yards, including a 79-yard touchdown strike from Lamson that extended the lead to 20-7. Montana State's defense limited NAU quarterback Ty Pennington—who entered leading the Big Sky in passing yards and touchdowns—to 210 passing yards with zero touchdowns and one interception.​

Montana State will host Idaho State on Saturday, October 11, before entering a bye week. Head coach Brent Vigen's squad recorded its first road win of the season after not traveling for a month following their August 30 season-opening loss at Oregon. The Bobcats hold the all-time series advantage over NAU 28-26 but had lost eight of nine in Flagstaff before Saturday's victory.​

Teams 6-10: Championship Contenders

6. UC Davis (4-1, 2-0 Big Sky) ↑

The Aggies rallied in the fourth quarter to defeat Cal Poly 34-27 and retain the Golden Horseshoe for the ninth consecutive year. Quarterback Caden Pinnick threw for a career-high 313 yards and three touchdowns while adding 60 rushing yards and a score for 373 total yards of offense. UC Davis scored 14 points in the final 15 minutes to pull away, with running back Carter Vargas scoring on a nine-yard run and Pinnick adding a six-yard touchdown rush. The Aggies' defense limited Cal Poly to just 71 rushing yards on 31 attempts and held the Mustangs to a season-low 342 total yards. Head coach Tim Plough's squad improved to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in Big Sky play with their lone loss coming against FBS opponent Wyoming. The Aggies will host No. 14 Northern Arizona on Saturday, October 11, in a crucial conference matchup.​

7. Lehigh (6-0, 2-0 Patriot) ↑

The Mountain Hawks continued their perfect start to the season with a 31-13 victory over Yale at Goodman Stadium. Lehigh's offense raced to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter behind touchdown passes from quarterback Hayden Johnson to Mason Humphrey (27 yards) and Luke Yoder (24 yards). Running back Yoder finished with 108 rushing yards and two total touchdowns while catching three passes for 49 yards. Johnson completed 8 of 15 passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns while adding 45 rushing yards. The Mountain Hawks' defense forced three second-half turnovers, including interceptions by Davis Rice and Xavier Singleton, to seal the victory. Head coach Kevin Cahill's squad ranks in the top four nationally in both rushing offense (4th, 247.6 yards per game) and rushing defense (3rd, 69.8 yards per game). Lehigh will travel to Columbia on Saturday, October 11, to conclude a three-game stretch against Ivy League opponents.​

8. Southern Illinois (4-1, 1-0 MVFC) ↑

The Salukis dominated their Missouri Valley Football Conference opener, rolling past Indiana State 55-27 to score 50-plus points in consecutive games for the first time since 2007. Quarterback DJ Williams accounted for four touchdowns (two passing, two rushing) while completing 19 of 31 passes for 226 yards. The Salukis rushed for a season-high 430 yards—the most since 2009—with four different players finding the end zone. Wide receiver Vinson Davis III posted his second consecutive 100-yard game with 140 receiving yards and one touchdown on seven receptions. Southern Illinois totaled a season-high 656 yards of offense and held Indiana State to just 124 passing yards with zero touchdowns. Head coach Nick Hill's squad improved to 4-1 overall and 1-0 in MVFC play ahead of Saturday's showdown at top-ranked North Dakota State.​

9. Illinois State (4-2, 1-1 MVFC) ↓

The Redbirds suffered their first loss of the season, falling 33-16 to top-ranked North Dakota State in front of a homecoming crowd at Hancock Stadium. Illinois State led 9-7 early in the second quarter but couldn't sustain momentum against the Bison's relentless defense. Quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse threw for 248 yards but was sacked three times and threw one interception as the Redbirds managed just 16 points despite entering the game averaging 31.2 points per contest. Running back Wenkers Wright rushed 17 times for 68 yards while receiver Daniel Sobkowicz caught a 3-yard touchdown pass to pull ISU within 18-16 late in the third quarter before NDSU pulled away. Head coach Brock Spack's squad will look to rebound when they host Murray State on Saturday, October 11.​

10. Tennessee Tech (5-0, 2-0 OVC-Big South) ↑

The Golden Eagles extended their winning streak to 10 games with a dominant 66-20 victory over Western Illinois. Quarterback Kekoa Visperas passed for 358 yards and four touchdowns, connecting with Noah Robinson three times for scores. Robinson finished with seven receptions for 126 yards as Tennessee Tech scored touchdowns on six of eight possessions in the first three quarters. Defensive back Andrew Smith returned an interception 16 yards for a touchdown to extend the lead to 52-17 in the third quarter. The Golden Eagles are 5-0 for just the third time in program history and rank seventh in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25. Tennessee Tech will travel to Charleston Southern on Saturday, October 11, for an OVC-Big South conference matchup.​

Teams 11-25: Playoff Picture

Playoff Contenders (Teams 11-17)

11. Idaho (2-3, 0-1 Big Sky) ↑ — The Vandals (2-3) enjoyed a bye week to rest and prepare for conference play after suffering a tough 42-38 loss to Montana on September 28. Idaho's offense ranks among the Big Sky's most explosive units, led by quarterback Jordan Cooke, who threw for 307 yards and two touchdowns against the Grizzlies. The Vandals will return to action on Saturday, October 11, when they host Northern Colorado in a pivotal Big Sky Conference matchup.​

12. Monmouth (4-1, 2-0 CAA) ↑ — The Hawks (4-1) rolled past Delaware State 49-38 behind quarterback Derek Robertson's 351 passing yards and four touchdowns. Running back Rodney Nelson rushed for a career-high 203 yards on 32 carries with two touchdowns, becoming the first Monmouth player to rush for 200-plus yards since 2023. The Hawks eclipsed 600 total yards for the third time this season with 636 yards of offense. Monmouth improved to 4-1 for the first time since 2017 and will travel to Towson on Saturday, October 11.​

13. North Dakota (3-2, 1-0 MVFC) ↑ — The Fighting Hawks (3-2) dominated Northern Iowa 35-7 inside the UNI-Dome to record their 100th Division I victory. Quarterback Jerry Kaminski threw four touchdown passes while completing 20 of 23 attempts for 246 yards. Wide receiver BJ Fleming caught five passes for 134 yards, including a 77-yard touchdown. Defensive end Kaden Vig recorded two sacks and six tackles while returning a strip-sack 63 yards for a touchdown late in the first quarter. North Dakota will host Youngstown State on Saturday, October 11.​

14. Northern Arizona (4-2, 1-1 Big Sky) ↓ — The Lumberjacks (4-2) saw their four-game winning streak snapped in a 34-10 loss at No. 5 Montana State. NAU quarterback Ty Pennington completed 28 of 47 passes for 210 yards with one interception. The Lumberjacks were held to just 86 rushing yards on 31 attempts as Montana State's defense dominated in the second half. Northern Arizona had entered the game ranked No. 13 nationally after wins over three consecutive opponents. The Lumberjacks will travel to UC Davis on Saturday, October 11.​

15. Jackson State (4-1, 2-0 SWAC) ↑ — The Tigers (4-1) overwhelmed Alabama A&M 57-24 at the Gulf Coast Challenge in Mobile. Quarterback JaCobian Morgan threw for 314 yards and four touchdowns while adding 120 rushing yards and one score on the ground. Wide receivers Shemar Savage and Ja'Naylon Dupree each caught two touchdown passes as Jackson State totaled 702 yards of offense—388 on the ground. The Tigers have now scored 40-plus points in three consecutive meetings against Alabama A&M. Jackson State will face Alabama State on Saturday, October 11.​

16. Austin Peay (3-2, 1-1 UAC) ↑ — The Governors (3-2) pulled off the upset of the week, defeating No. 16 West Georgia 44-30 at Fortera Stadium. Quarterback Chris Parson threw for a career-high 346 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 18 yards and two scores. Wide receiver Jaden Robinson caught six passes for 60 yards and two touchdowns in his first career game with multiple touchdown receptions. Austin Peay outgained West Georgia 468-311 in total yards, with the 346 passing yards marking the Governors' highest total since November 2024. Head coach Jeff Faris earned his first win against a ranked FCS opponent. Austin Peay will host Abilene Christian on Saturday, October 18.​

17. Rhode Island (4-2, 2-0 CAA) ↓ — The Rams (4-2) suffered a stunning 28-21 upset loss to Brown on Friday night at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket. Rhode Island committed four turnovers—two interceptions, two fumbles—that Brown converted into 14 points. The Rams led 21-14 in the third quarter but couldn't hold on as Brown's defense forced critical mistakes. Defensive back Miles Brophy sealed the victory with an interception with 37 seconds remaining. Rhode Island will host New Hampshire on Saturday, October 11, looking to rebound from their first loss since the season opener.​

On the Bubble (Teams 18-22)

18. Villanova (3-2, 2-1 CAA) — Villanova (3-2) dominated New Hampshire 37-7 behind running back Ja'briel Mace's three rushing touchdowns on just three carries for 34 yards. Quarterback Pat McQuaide managed the game efficiently as the Wildcats never punted, converting 4 of 9 third downs and 1 of 2 fourth downs. The Wildcats held New Hampshire to 207 total yards—just 100 in the final three quarters. Villanova will travel to Elon on Saturday, October 11.​

19. Abilene Christian (3-3, 2-0 UAC) — The Wildcats (3-3) dominated North Alabama 52-23 as quarterback Stone Earle completed his first 13 passes and finished with 261 yards and four touchdowns. Running back Jordon Vaughn scored on a 75-yard touchdown run while the Wildcats rolled up 230 rushing yards. ACU's 52 points were the third-most in Wildcat Stadium history and most against an FCS opponent. The Wildcats travel to Central Arkansas on Saturday, October 11.​

20. Lamar (4-1, 1-0 SLC) — Lamar (4-1) survived Nicholls 24-17 behind Kyndon Fuselier's 88-yard punt return touchdown with 3:41 remaining. Quarterback Aiden McCown threw for 237 yards and two touchdowns, including an 85-yard strike to Blake Thomas on the game's first play. The Cardinals have won three straight games and opened Southland Conference play with a victory. Lamar will host UIW on Saturday, October 18.​

21. West Georgia (5-1, 2-1 UAC) ↓ West Georgia (5-1) suffered its first loss of the season, falling 44-30 at Austin Peay despite entering as the No. 16-ranked team nationally. The Wolves' defense surrendered a season-high 468 total yards and 346 passing yards. West Georgia's nine-game home winning streak ended as they dropped to 2-1 in UAC play. The Wolves will host Abilene Christian on Saturday, October 11.​

22. Harvard (3-0, 1-0 Ivy) ↑ Harvard (3-0) demolished Holy Cross 59-24 at Fitton Field behind quarterback Jaden Craig's three touchdown passes and 248 yards. Wide receiver Brady Blackburn caught two touchdown passes for 114 yards while running back Jordan Harris rushed for 91 yards and one score. The Crimson have outscored opponents 159-38 through three games, including 70-7 in first quarters alone. Harvard will host Cornell on Friday, October 10.​

New to Rankings (Teams 23-25)

23. South Dakota (3-3, 1-1 MVFC) ↓ South Dakota (3-3) bounced back from a loss to North Dakota State with a 49-24 rout of Murray State. Running back L.J. Phillips Jr. rushed for 244 yards and four touchdowns on the day, including a 67-yard score in the third quarter. Quarterback Aidan Bouman completed 11 of 16 passes for 185 yards and three touchdowns. The Coyotes totaled 568 yards of offense—380 on the ground—and extended their home winning streak to 11 games.​

24. Presbyterian (5-0, 1-0 Pioneer) ↓ Presbyterian (5-0) enjoyed a bye week after starting the season with five consecutive victories, including upset wins over ranked FCS opponents Mercer (15-10) and Furman (39-38 in overtime). Quarterback Collin Hurst has thrown for over 275 yards in multiple games while the Blue Hose defense has forced multiple turnovers in each contest. Presbyterian will travel to Butler on Saturday, October 11.​

25. Mercer (4-1, 3-0 SoCon, Previous: NR) NEW Mercer (4-1) enters the FCS Top 25 for the first time this season despite being idle in Week 6. The Bears' only loss came in their season opener against Presbyterian but have since won four consecutive games to establish themselves as Southern Conference contenders. Mercer ranks No. 25 in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 poll.​

Conference Power Rankings

Missouri Valley Football Conference leads all leagues with six teams in the FCS Top 25, including the top two spots with North Dakota State and South Dakota State. The Bison defeated Illinois State 33-16 while the Jackrabbits rallied past Youngstown State 35-30 in the conference's premier matchups. Southern Illinois moved into the top 10 after demolishing Indiana State 55-27. The MVFC's depth continues to separate it as the nation's premier FCS conference with North Dakota also cracking the top 15.​

Big Sky Conference placed five teams in the updated rankings, with Montana and Montana State leading the way in the top five. The Grizzlies rallied from 13 points down to defeat Idaho State 42-38 while the Bobcats dominated Northern Arizona 34-10 on the road. UC Davis climbed to No. 6 after defeating Cal Poly 34-27 to retain the Golden Horseshoe. Northern Arizona dropped to No. 14 after the loss to Montana State, while Idaho checked in at No. 11 following its bye week.​

Coastal Athletic Association features four ranked teams led by No. 7 Lehigh, which improved to 6-0 with a victory over Yale. Monmouth climbed to No. 12 after defeating Delaware State 49-38, while Villanova held at No. 18 following a 37-7 rout of New Hampshire. Rhode Island tumbled from No. 8 to No. 17 after suffering a shocking 28-21 loss to Brown. The CAA's depth has been questioned this season compared to previous years, but the conference continues to place multiple teams in the national rankings.​

United Athletic Conference has three teams ranked, led by undefeated No. 3 Tarleton State, which survived Southern Utah 52-42. Austin Peay moved up to No. 16 after upsetting West Georgia 44-30, while Abilene Christian held at No. 19 despite a 52-23 victory over North Alabama. West Georgia dropped to No. 21 following the loss to Austin Peay. The conference race remains wide open with multiple teams capable of challenging for the championship.​

Week 8 Top Games to Watch

No. 8 Southern Illinois at No. 1 North Dakota State — The Salukis bring a three-game winning streak and the nation's fourth-ranked scoring offense (50.2 points per game) into the Fargodome to face the defending national champions. This Missouri Valley Football Conference showdown could determine playoff seeding as both teams entered conference play undefeated. NDSU defeated then-No. 6 Illinois State 33-16 last week while Southern Illinois demolished Indiana State 55-27 to score 50-plus points in consecutive games. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ at 2:30 p.m. Saturday from Gate City Bank Field.​

No. 6 UC Davis at No. 14 Northern Arizona — The Aggies look to extend their winning streak to five games when they travel to Flagstaff to face Northern Arizona. UC Davis quarterback Caden Pinnick threw for 313 yards and three touchdowns in last week's 34-27 victory over Cal Poly, while Northern Arizona seeks to rebound from a 34-10 loss at Montana State. This Big Sky Conference matchup features two of the league's top offenses and could have significant implications for playoff positioning. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. Saturday.​

No. 16 Austin Peay at No. 3 Tarleton State — The Governors travel to Stephenville riding high after upsetting then-No. 16 West Georgia 44-30 behind quarterback Chris Parson's career-high 346 passing yards. Tarleton State has won six consecutive games and is averaging 47.8 points per contest—fourth in the FCS. The Texans defeated Southern Utah 52-42 last week in a game that featured six ties and three lead changes. This United Athletic Conference showdown will determine the early leader in the league race. Game time is 6 p.m. Saturday on ESPN+.​

The FCS playoff picture continues to take shape as conference play intensifies across the subdivision. North Dakota State and South Dakota State remain the clear favorites for top playoff seeds, but challengers like Montana, Tarleton State, and Montana State have proven they belong in the championship conversation. With half the regular season complete, the FCS Top 25 rankings reflect a competitive landscape where each week brings new drama and playoff implications for teams fighting for postseason positioning.