North Dakota falls, Stony Brook rises in Stan Becton's Week 10 Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll ballot

There was another top-five matchup in FCS football this week, but will South Dakota State's overtime win over South Dakota shake up the polls? Check out the the latest Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll 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 10: 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 (8-1) | Previous Ranking: 1 (Where I ranked them: 1)

A dominant win from the top team in the country.

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

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

Montana State had a bye. They won't drop.

3. South Dakota State (6-2) | Previous Ranking: 3 (Where I ranked them: 3)

South Dakota State beat the No. 4 team in the country, but it took overtime to do it. That's not enough to move the Jackrabbits in front of an undefeated team.

4. South Dakota (6-2) | Previous Ranking: 4 (Where I ranked them: 4)

South Dakota is a top-four team in the country even after a loss. It took a top-three team in the FCS to overtime and it looked like the better team for much of the game. However, the Coyotes beat themselves throughout the game, leaving scoring opportunities on the board 

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

UC Davis had a bye and stays in the top five.

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

It was close, but Southeast Missouri State won to stay undefeated against FCS opponents.

7. Idaho (6-3) | Previous Ranking: 11 (Where I ranked them: 8)

Jack Layne is back and hopes should be high for the Vandals after defeating Eastern Washington.

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8. Montana (6-2) | Previous Ranking: 9 (Where I ranked them: 9)

Montana had a shutout. That's impressive for the Griz after how leaky their defense seemed earlier in the year.

9. Tarleton State (7-1) | Previous Ranking: 8 (Where I ranked them: 10)

Tarleton State continues to win so it stays in the top 10. However, the more I watch the Texans play, the shakier they look.

10. Mercer (7-1) | Previous Ranking: 14 (Where I ranked them: 12)

Mercer is back in the top 10 after a ranked win over Western Carolina.

11. Rhode Island (7-1) | Previous Ranking: 15 (Where I ranked them: 11)

Rhode Island is now on a six-game win streak.

12. UIW (6-2) | Previous Ranking: 10 (Where I ranked them: 13)

UIW always plays Southeastern Louisiana close, but this time, the Cardinals never trailed in the game.

13. North Dakota (5-3) | Previous Ranking: 7 (Where I ranked them: 7)

North Dakota should drop out of the top 10 after losing to a Youngstown State team that has struggled in close games all year.

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

Abilene Christian remains above Central Arkansas in my eyes because of a head-to-head win. The Wildcats had a bye last week.

15. Central Arkansas (6-2) | Previous Ranking: 12 (Where I ranked them: 15)

Central Arkansas defeated North Alabama last week, but ShunDerrick Powell was held without a touchdown.

16. Richmond (6-2) | Previous Ranking: 18 (Where I ranked them: 17)

Richmond looks like the best team in the CAA after the last two weeks, but early-season losses limit how high I can rank it for now.

17. Chattanooga (5-3) | Previous Ranking: 19 (Where I ranked them: 18)

Chattanooga has now won five straight games, and that 0-3 start is a far memory.

18. Villanova (6-2) | Previous Ranking: 13 (Where I ranked them: 16)

Villanova beat New Hampshire by eight points. The Wildcats continue to play down to their competition instead of playing to their potential.

19. Stony Brook (6-2) | Previous Ranking: NR (Where I ranked them: 22)

Stony Brook should enter the STATS Perform rankings after a ranked win over William & Mary. I've had the Seawolves ranked since as early as Week 6, and I think they are a top-20 team when at their best.

20. Duquesne (5-2) | Previous Ranking: NR (Where I ranked them: 20)

When Darius Perrantes is cooking, Duquesne is hard to stop. He threw for 400 yards and five touchdowns last week.

21. North Carolina Central (6-2) | Previous Ranking: 20 (Where I ranked them: 21)

North Carolina Central impressed, running all over an extremely good Morgan State defense.

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22. UT Martin (5-3) | Previous Ranking: NR (Where I ranked them: 23)

UT Martin won its fourth straight game, beating Eastern Illinois.

23. Dartmouth (6-0) | Previous Ranking: 22 (Where I ranked them: 24)

Dartmouth remains undefeated ahead of a big Ivy League matchup against Harvard.

24. ETSU (5-3) | Previous Ranking: 23 (Where I ranked them: 25)

ETSU defeated Wofford to move to 5-3 on the year.

25. William & Mary (5-3) | Previous Ranking: 16 (Where I ranked them: 19)

William & Mary lost to a Stony Brook squad that I think is a contender for a top-16 seed this year. That's a quality loss and allows the Tribe to hang on to the last ranked spot.

Who dropped out from last week's official rankings: Western Carolina (24). I don't have Illinois State (21) nor Tennessee State (25) ranked on my ballot, even though the teams were ranked last week.