Idaho leads Stan Becton's Week 5 Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll ballot

After ranked FCS wins in back-to-back weeks, Idaho is the new No. 1 in the eyes of NCAA FCS football reporter Stan Becton. Here's all that changed in his latest 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 5: Stan Becton's Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll ballot

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

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

Idaho moves up to No. 1 after defeating a ranked opponent in dominant fashion for the second straight week. The Vandals have the best résumé in the country: two ranked FCS wins, an FBS win and one loss to a top-10 FBS team.

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

Montana State remains undefeated, but they need a quality FCS win to reclaim my top spot.

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

A shutout. That's the dominant South Dakota State we know and love.

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

Towson made it a game late, but NDSU controlled this game from start to finish.

NEXT UP: Bryce Lance continues family legacy at North Dakota State

5. Villanova (3-1) | Previous Ranking: 5 (Where I ranked them: 5)

I won't drop Villanova for losing to an FBS opponent.

6. South Dakota (2-1) | Previous Ranking: 6 (Where I ranked them: 6)

Guess who's back. South Dakota didn't let an unplanned week off lead to any slippage.

7. Sacramento State (2-2) | Previous Ranking: 11 (Where I ranked them: 7)

Sacramento State isn't always known for its defense, but the Hornets landed a shutout last weekend.

8. Central Arkansas (3-1) | Previous Ranking: 8 (Where I ranked them: 9)

ShunDerrick Powell should be the Walter Payton frontrunner and Central Arkansas looks like a deep playoff contender.

9. North Dakota (3-1) | Previous Ranking: 10 (Where I ranked them: 10)

North Dakota plays like a top 10 team week in and week out.

10. Montana (3-1) | Previous Ranking: 9 (Where I ranked them: 12)

Montana is back in the top 10 after a ranked win over then-No. 24 Western Carolina.

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

11. UC Davis (3-1) | Previous Ranking: 13 (Where I ranked them: 11)

UC Davis is holding steady and is a big win away from entering the top 10.

12. Mercer (4-0) | Previous Ranking: 14 (Where I ranked them: 14)

Is Mercer a top-10 team? Maybe, but I think they are a notable win away from solidifying itself in the upper ranks.

13. William & Mary (3-1) | Previous Ranking: 12 (Where I ranked them: 13)

That's a big-time nonconference win for William & Mary over Furman, even with the Paladins having a down year.

14. Southeast Missouri State (3-1) | Previous Ranking: 21 (Where I ranked them: 18)

Southeast Missouri State might not lose another FCS game. Paxton DeLaurent is looking like the most impactful passer in the country and is a top-three Walter Payton Award candidate after four weeks.

15. Tarleton State (3-1) | Previous Ranking: 16 (Where I ranked them: 16)

Kayvon Britten is elite. He and Tarleton State will challenge for a playoff spot.

16. Southern Illinois (2-2) | Previous Ranking: 7 (Where I ranked them: 8)

Southern Illinois falls out of the top 15 after losing to a ranked opponent.

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

17. Illinois State (3-1) | Previous Ranking: 17 (Where I ranked them: 17)

Illinois State is the most resilient team in the country fighting through injury continue winning.

18. UIW (2-2) | Previous Ranking: 15 (Where I ranked them: 19)

UIW is back in the win column after defeating NAU.

19. Rhode Island (3-1) | Previous Ranking: NR (Where I ranked them: 22)

Rhode Island has three FCS wins on the year after beating LIU. Malik Grant is still that dude.

20. Lamar (3-1) | Previous Ranking: 22 (Where I ranked them: 25)

Lamar is now 3-0 against FCS opponents with a big test against Central Arkansas up next.

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

21. Chattanooga (0-3) | Previous Ranking: 23 (Where I ranked them: 20)

Chattanooga had a bye last week.

22. Abilene Christian (2-2) | Previous Ranking: 19 (Where I ranked them: 23)

Abilene Christian should still be ranked after rallying in a close defeat to Idaho.

23. Florida A&M (2-2) | Previous Ranking: NR (Where I ranked them: 24)

Florida A&M has lost two straight to FBS opponents, but also has two FCS wins.

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

24. New Hampshire (3-1) | Previous Ranking: NR (Where I ranked them: NR)

New Hampshire has won three straight since a loss to an FBS opponent.

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

Wins over Gardner-Webb and Richmond get Wofford my final spot, especially since that loss to William & Mary looks better and better.

Teams to drop out from last week's official rankings: Lafayette (18), Western Carolina (24), Northern Iowa (25)