Stan Becton's Week 3 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 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 3: Stan Becton's Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll ballot

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

Montana State was my top team last week. Three wins are better than one win, especially when one of those three wins is against an FBS opponent in New Mexico.

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

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

South Dakota State beat a top-15 UIW squad. That win is impressive, but is that better than a win over FBS New Mexico? I don't think so, so they stay at No. 2.

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

The Bison dominated Tennessee State 52-3, which is exactly how a top team in the FCS should dominate.

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

Idaho followed up a close call against a ranked FBS opponent with an FBS win over Wyoming. That moves the Vandals up to No. 4.

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

Villanova handled Colgate, 28-3, in Week 2. 

6. South Dakota (1-1) | Previous Ranking: 6 (Where I ranked them: 4)

South Dakota lost after a hard-fought battle with Wisconsin. 

7. Central Arkansas (1-1) | Previous Ranking: 9 (Where I ranked them: 7)

Central Arkansas picked up its first FCS win over Lindenwood. That offense looks elite and David Walker is a star.

8. Sacramento State (0-2) | Previous Ranking: 8 (Where I ranked them: 9)

Falling to 0-2 vs. FBS opponents won't knock Sacramento State from the top 10. The Mocs open up FCS play next week with a potentially-ranked Nicholls.

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

9. Chattanooga (0-2) | Previous Ranking: 11 (Where I ranked them: 10)

Another example of being 0-2 vs. FBS opponents won't knock Chattanooga from the top 10. The Mocs open up FCS play next week with a potentially-ranked Mercer.

10. North Dakota (1-1) | Previous Ranking: 23 (Where I ranked them: 21)

North Dakota defended its home field against a Montana team that was in the top five in the country. That's a win that will resonate all season long.

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

UC Davis got in the win column with a win over Texas A&;M-Commerce.

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

Southern Illinois picked up a good win over an Austin Peay team that is always a tough out. 

13. Montana (1-1) | Previous Ranking: 4 (Where I ranked them: 6)

Montana should not be a top-10 team this week after losing to North Dakota.

UPSET TRACKER: Every FCS-over-FBS upset in 2024

14. William & Mary (1-1) | Previous Ranking: 13 (Where I ranked them: 16)

William & Mary lost to Coastal Carolina out of the FBS. However, the Tribe look like a top-15 team through to games.

15. UIW (1-1) | Previous Ranking: 13 (Where I ranked them: 12)

UIW stays in the top 15 because a loss to the two-time defending champions is nothing to be disappointed in.

16. Lafayette (1-1) | Previous Ranking: 19 (Where I ranked them: 15)

Lafayette falls below some teams I had ranked above it last week because it needed every second to beat Monmouth.

17. Tarleton State (2-1) | Previous Ranking: 20 (Where I ranked them: 19)

Tarleton State now has two FCS wins after beating Houston Christian.

18. Nicholls (0-2) | Previous Ranking: 22 (Where I ranked them: 18)

Nicholls is 0-2 vs. FBS opponents and won't be knocked from the rankings. The Colonels open up FCS play next week with a potentially-ranked Sacramento State.

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

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

UAlbany lost to West Virginia from the FBS. The Great Danes won't fall from the rankings after that loss.

20. Illinois State (1-1) | Previous Ranking: 21 (Where I ranked them: 22)

Illinois State picked up its first FCS win over North Alabama.

21. Mercer (2-0) | Previous Ranking: NR (Where I ranked them: 24)

Mercer is undefeated, albeit against two bottom-tier FCS teams to open the season. However, the offense is firing on all cylinders, with a big-time SoCon matchup up next.

22. Elon (1-1) | Previous Ranking: NR (Where I ranked them: NR)

Elon controlled a game against a North Carolina Central team that should win its conference.

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

23. Weber State (1-1) | Previous Ranking: 24 (Where I ranked them: NR)

Weber State is back in my rankings after a win over Portland State when other ranked teams faltered.

24. Youngstown State (1-1) | Previous Ranking: 25 (Where I ranked them: NR)

I dropped Youngstown State out last week, but with other ranked teams losing again while YSU took down Valparaiso, the Penguins are back in the rankings.

25. Southeast Missouri State (2-1) | Previous Ranking: NR (Where I ranked them: NR)

Southeast Missouri State gets the final spot in my rankings. The Redhawks took down UT Martin in overtime and already had an FCS win over North Alabama from Week 0. 

Teams to drop out from last week's official rankings: Richmond (14), Furman (15), Western Carolina (17)