Stan Becton's Week 2 Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll ballot

Every week, the top teams in the FCS are ranked nationally by both FCS coaches and FCS media. I, Stan Becton, am obviously not a coach, but I am a part of the FCS media and I do have a vote in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll. I'll be submitting my ballot weekly, ranking my top 25 FCS teams.

With the FCS Playoff Committee adding the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll to its selection criteria for the first time in 2023, the media poll is of even more importance moving forward. In an effort to be transparent with my readers, fans and more, I have decided that I will reveal my ballot, with explanations for selections, every week. 

Remember, this is my one ballot out of 56 total Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll voters — and just one ballot from the 23 national representatives that vote. That's to say, yes, my ballot does impact the poll, but it's in no way the end-all-be-all factor.

Nonetheless, here is my Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll ballot for this week.

Week 2: Stan Becton's Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll ballot

1. Montana State (2-0) | Previous Ranking: 4 (Where I ranked them: 3)

Montana is the only FCS team with an FBS win.

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

2. South Dakota State (0-1) | Previous Ranking: 1 (Where I ranked them: 1)

South Dakota State still might be the top team in the FCS, but Montana State has a better resume thus far.

3. North Dakota State (0-1) | Previous Ranking: 2 (Where I ranked them: 2)

North Dakota State nearly stunned Coach Prime and Colorado. A close FBS loss keeps them near the top of the rankings.

UPSET ALERT: 12 potential FCS-over-FBS upsets in 2024

4. South Dakota (1-0) | Previous Ranking: 5 (Where I ranked them: 4)

South Dakota dominated on the ground against an inferior opponent with 266 yards and four touchdowns. That could be a great start to one of the most balanced attacks this fall.

5. Villanova (1-0) | Previous Ranking: 6 (Where I ranked them: 6)

Villanova picked up a ranked win over Youngstown State. That may be the premier win for the Wildcats in an otherwise relatively weak schedule.

6. Montana (1-0) | Previous Ranking: 3 (Where I ranked them: 5)

Montana defeated Missouri State 29-24, but it was a struggle. The quarterback position looked shaky — even with dropped passes — but returning Jerry Rice Award winner Eli Gillman picked up where he left off with two touchdowns.

7. Central Arkansas (0-1) | Previous Ranking: 11 (Where I ranked them: 8)

Central Arkansas would've beat Arkansas State if it wasn't for a replay review at the end of the game. Nonetheless, ShunDerrick Powell, David Walker and Will McElvain look legit.

On the final play from scrimmage, Jaylen Raynor connected with Corey Rucker for a game-winning TD.

The question: Was it actually a catch??

Judge for yourself.

— Jack Allen KATV (@JackAllenTV)

WHO'S NEXT: Here is every FCS vs FBS game scheduled for 2024

8. Idaho (0-1) | Previous Ranking: 7 (Where I ranked them: 12)

Idaho gave an Oregon team that most thought would make the College Football Playoff a run for its money. The Vandals only trailed by three points deep into the fourth quarter.

9. Sacramento State (0-1) | Previous Ranking: 8 (Where I ranked them: 7)

Sacramento State couldn't pull off an FBS upset, but the Hornets looked strong as they led entering the fourth quarter.

10. Chattanooga (0-1) | Previous Ranking: 9 (Where I ranked them: 9)

Chattanooga ran into the Nico Iamaleava coming-out party, which will surely give FCS teams ideas on attacking the Mocs in the passing game. However, I won't hold this SEC loss against what should still be a good FCS team.

11. Western Carolina (0-1) | Previous Ranking: 20 (Where I ranked them: 16)

Western Carolina had a ranked FBS NC State on the ropes. Cole Gonzales looked the part of a potential Walter Payton Award winner at times as he completed 62 percent of his passes for 211 yards and two touchdowns.

12. UIW (1-0) | Previous Ranking: 14 (Where I ranked them: 10)

UIW scored 21 unanswered points to pull away from Northern Colorado. Up next is a trip to Brookings to face the two-time defending champs.

GAMES TO WATCH: The 20 best nonconference games for the 2024 FCS season

13. UC Davis (0-1) | Previous Ranking: 18 (Where I ranked them: 11)

Even in a loss to Cal, UC Davis showed signs of being a Big Sky threat. Miles Hastings must protect the football better, but the Aggie defense did an excellent job stopping the run.

14. Richmond (0-1) | Previous Ranking: 13 (Where I ranked them: 13)

Richmond lost to in-state foe Virginia, but Nick Degennaro caught seven passes. He's one of the top wideouts in the FCS.

15. Lafayette (0-1) | Previous Ranking: 17 (Where I ranked them: 14)

Jamar Curtis was held in check — only rushing for 12 yards — but the Leopards still look like the best team in the Patriot League.

16. William & Mary (1-0) | Previous Ranking: 15 (Where I ranked them: 24)

William & Mary looked more like the Tribe of 2022 than the Tribe of 2023 in Week 1. Can the Tribe carry it throughout the season?

17. Southern Illinois (0-1) | Previous Ranking: 10 (Where I ranked them: 19)

Southern Illinois fell to BYU in Week 1. We'll get a better measurement of how good the Salukis are once they enter their FCS nonconference slate.

18. Nicholls (0-1) | Previous Ranking: 23 (Where I ranked them: 21)

Nicholls played within one possession of Louisiana Tech. The Colonels have one more FBS game before it opens FCS play.

AWARDS: Ranking the top FCS preseason award contenders

19. Tarleton State (1-1) | Previous Ranking: 21 (Where I ranked them: 18)

A close win over McNeese and a loss to Baylor is how Tarleton State opened its first FCS-playoff-eligible season. Not a bad start.

20. UAlbany (1-0) | Previous Ranking: 16 (Where I ranked them: 20)

Either UAlbany isn't as good as last year, LIU is better than expected or the Great Danes were working out some kinks in game one. I think it's a mix of all three, so I'll keep UAlbany at No. 20 for now.

21. North Dakota (0-1) | Previous Ranking: 24 (Where I ranked them: 22)

North Dakota fought hard against Iowa State, with the game never feeling out of hand until the fourth quarter. 174 rushing yards against an FBS opponent is a positive sign.

22. Illinois State (0-1) | Previous Ranking: 19 (Where I ranked them: 15)

I dropped Illinois State significantly because it didn't score against Iowa, and star running back Mason King suffered an injury. It was a rough start to the season.

23. North Carolina Central (1-0) | Previous Ranking: NR (Where I ranked them: NR)

North Carolina Central has some things to clean up — especially on special teams — but it kicked off the Walker Harris era with a big-time nonconference win over an Alabama State team that could win the SWAC.

2024 HBCU football: Following the 2024 HBCU football season from start to finish

24. Mercer (1-0) | Previous Ranking: NR (Where I ranked them: NR)

Mercer's offense looks like it can be just as explosive as it was last year after putting up 63 points in Week 1 — albeit against Presbyterian.

25. Furman (0-1) | Previous Ranking 12 (Where I ranked them: 17)

Furman got blasted 76-0 by a top-10 FBS Ole Miss team, but I think the Rebels will make the College Football Playoff. Furman didn't look their best, but the Paladins faced a tough opponent.

Teams to drop out from last week's official rankings (alphabetical): Weber State, Youngstown State