North Dakota State fortifies top spot in Stan Becton's Week 9 Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll ballot

Three top-10 teams lost, including the No. 1 ranked team last week. Here's a preview of how that could change the order of the latest Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll. Check out the ballot from NCAA FCS football reporter Stan Becton.

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. To be transparent with my readers, fans and more, I have decided to reveal my ballot every week with explanations for selections. 

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

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

1. North Dakota State (7-1) | Previous Ranking: 2 (Where I ranked them: 1)

North Dakota State beat South Dakota State. The Bison were my top team last week and they confirmed it on the field.

DAKOTA MARKER: North Dakota State defeats South Dakota State, wins Dakota Marker

2. Montana State (8-0) | Previous Ranking: 3 (Where I ranked them: 2)

Montana State is undefeated with an FBS win and a win over Idaho. Those two wins combined to create a better resume than South Dakota State.

3. South Dakota State (5-2) | Previous Ranking: 1 (Where I ranked them: 3)

South Dakota State lost its first FCS game since 2021. The Jackrabbits stay in the top three nonetheless.

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

South Dakota didn't dominate Youngstown State in the same fashion as its other wins this year, but the Coyotes still won by multiple scores.

5. UC Davis (7-1) | Previous Ranking: 6 (Where I ranked them: 7)

UC Davis won its first-ever game over Eastern Washington and moves into the top five.

HALFWAY POINT: 10 FCS football midseason superlatives

6. Southeast Missouri State (7-1) | Previous Ranking: 8 (Where I ranked them: 8)

Southeast Missouri State continues its rise after winning another game.

7. North Dakota (5-2) | Previous Ranking: 9 (Where I ranked them: 9)

North Dakota added another win over Northern Iowa last week.

8. Idaho (5-3) | Previous Ranking: 13 (Where I ranked them: 10)

Idaho defeated Cal Poly but it was a close one. While the Vandals are 4-3, its two FCS losses have come to top five teams.

9. Montana (5-2) | Previous Ranking: 11 (Where I ranked them: 11)

Montana had a bye last week.

10. Tarleton State (6-1) | Previous Ranking: 10 (Where I ranked them: 12)

Tarleton State is undefeated against the FCS and will return to play after a bye.

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11. Rhode Island (6-1) | Previous Ranking: 16 (Where I ranked them: 16)

Rhode Island picked up a big-time CAA win over a then-ranked New Hampshire team. The Rams likely won't play another ranked opponent the rest of the season.

12. Mercer (6-1) | Previous Ranking: 7 (Where I ranked them: 6)

Mercer's fall stops at No. 12 because it only has one FCS loss and its win over Chattanooga gets better by the week.

13. UIW (5-2) | Previous Ranking: 14 (Where I ranked them: 13)

UIW has now won four straight games and is 2-0 in Southland play.

14. Abilene Christian (5-3) | Previous Ranking: 17 (Where I ranked them: 14)

Abilene Christian defeated Eastern Kentucky in a bounce-back performance.

15. Central Arkansas (5-2) | Previous Ranking: 12 (Where I ranked them: 15)

Central Arkansas had a bye last week.

16. Villanova (5-2) | Previous Ranking: 5 (Where I ranked them: 5)

Villanova falls out of the top 15 after a loss to Maine. The Wildcats haven't beat a then-ranked team and the loss to Maine is a bad one.

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17. Richmond (5-2) | Previous Ranking: 18 (Where I ranked them: 21)

Richmond beat a Delaware team that is transitioning to the FBS. That's a good win for the Spiders.

18. Chattanooga (4-3) | Previous Ranking: 19 (Where I ranked them: 17)

Chattanooga has now won four straight games.

19. William & Mary (5-2) | Previous Ranking: 15 (Where I ranked them: 18)

William & Mary bounced back from a loss with a close win over Campbell. That sets up an intriguing matchup with Stony Brook.

20. Duquesne (4-2) | Previous Ranking: NR (Where I ranked them: 20)

Duquesne had a bye last week, but I still think the Dukes are a top-20 FCS team as they haven't lost to an FCS opponent yet.

21. North Carolina Central (5-2) | Previous Ranking: 20 (Where I ranked them: 22)

North Carolina Central had a bye last week.

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22. Stony Brook (5-2) | Previous Ranking: NR (Where I ranked them: 23)

Stony Brook beat Towson to move to 5-2.

23. UT Martin (4-3) | Previous Ranking: T-25 (Where I ranked them: 24)

UT Martin had a bye last week.

24. Dartmouth (5-0) | Previous Ranking: 22 (Where I ranked them: 25)

Dartmouth remained undefeated with another win.

25. ETSU (4-3) | Previous Ranking: 23 (Where I ranked them: NR)

ETSU had a bye last week, and while I didn't rank ETSU last week, they were ranked. ETSU gets my final spot in my rankings over an Illinois State team that struggled with Murray State, and because its only FCS losses have come to teams currently ranked.

Who dropped out from last week's official rankings: New Hampshire (24), Florida A&M (25)