UC Davis moves up in Stan Becton's Week 12 Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll ballot

Two top-10 teams fell and seven ranked teams lost overall last week. The FCS rankings will definitely change heading into the penultimate week of the regular season.

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 12: 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 (9-1) | Previous Ranking: 1 (Where I ranked them: 1)

NDSU stays at the top after a bye.

2. Montana State (10-0) | Previous Ranking: 2 (Where I ranked them: 2)

Montana State remains undefeated after blasting Sacramento State, 49-7.

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

South Dakota State added a ranked win to its resume, handing North Dakota its third straight loss.

4. UC Davis (9-1) | Previous Ranking: 4 (Where I ranked them: 5)

UC Davis moves in front of South Dakota in my rankings after a strong second half to pull away from Montana, 30-14, in a top-10 clash.

5. South Dakota (7-2) | Previous Ranking: 5 (Where I ranked them: 4)

South Dakota avoided a trap game, defeating Indiana State.

6. Idaho (7-3) | Previous Ranking: 9 (Where I ranked them: 7)

Idaho defeated Portland State, holding off a second-half surge.

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

Mercer became the first team to clinch an automatic bid to the FCS playoffs after its win over VMI.

AUTOBIDS: 2024 FCS playoffs automatic bid tracker and scenarios

8. UIW (8-2) | Previous Ranking: 8 (Where I ranked them: 11)

UIW is only a win away from securing a playoff spot after taking down Lamar.

9. Tarleton State (8-2) | Previous Ranking: 14 (Where I ranked them: 12)

After two top-10 teams lost, Tarleton State moves up into my top 10. These last few weeks will show just how good the Texans are.

10. Montana (7-3) | Previous Ranking: 7 (Where I ranked them: 8)

Montana stays in the top 10 after losing to a top-five team in UC Davis. While the Grizzlies allowed 17 unanswered points, they had the lead midway through the third quarter.

11. Abilene Christian (7-3) | Previous Ranking: 15 (Where I ranked them: 13)

A late touchdown pass from Maverick McIvor gave Abilene Christian the win over Austin Peay. The win now has the Wildcats on the brink of the UAC championship.

12. Richmond (8-2) | Previous Ranking: 14 (Where I ranked them: 13)

Richmond moves up as the top-ranked team from the CAA. The Spiders are undefeated in conference play.

ROOKIES: 8 impactful freshmen to FCS conference championship races

13. Rhode Island (8-2) | Previous Ranking: 11 (Where I ranked them: 10)

Rhode Island lost to Delaware, but the Blue Hens are a transitioning FCS team. Because of that, I think the Rams should still be a top-15 team.

14. Villanova (8-2) | Previous Ranking: 12 (Where I ranked them: 15)

Villanova didn't lose focus, never trailing to North Carolina A&T.

15. Southeast Missouri State (8-2) | Previous Ranking: 6 (Where I ranked them: 6)

A stunning loss to Lindenwood drops Southeast Missouri State out of the top 10 and potentially out of first-round bye consideration.

16. Stony Brook (8-2) | Previous Ranking: 17 (Where I ranked them: 16)

Stony Brook moves up one spot after beating UAlbany.

17. UT Martin (7-3) | Previous Ranking: 19 (Where I ranked them: 17)

UT Martin won its sixth straight game. During the streak, only one game has been decided by one possession.

18. Duquesne (7-2) | Previous Ranking: 25 (Where I ranked them: 19)

Duquesne took sole possession of first place in the NEC, winning its seventh straight game.

19. Illinois State (7-3) | Previous Ranking: 18 (Where I ranked them: 21)

Illinois State state continues to win the games it's supposed to win. 

20. Chattanooga (6-4) | Previous Ranking: 23 (Where I ranked them: 22)

Chattanooga bounced back from a loss with a win over The Citadel.

21. ETSU (6-4) | Previous Ranking: NR (Where I ranked them: NR)

I know ETSU wasn't ranked last week and jumping all the way up to No. 21 may seem like a lot, but the Buccaneers defeated a Western Carolina team that was ranked. That'll be ETSU's standout win on its resume when it goes in front of the FCS playoff committee.

22. Jackson State  (8-2) | Previous Ranking: NR (Where I ranked them: 23)

Jackson State defeated in-state rival Mississippi Valley State and is now just a game away from winning the SWAC East.

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

23. Central Arkansas (6-4) | Previous Ranking: 16 (Where I ranked them: 18)

Central Arkansas has now lost two straight games to unranked opponents. The Bears are hanging onto a spot in the rankings by a thread, the same way they are hanging on to their playoff hopes.

24. Drake  (7-1) | Previous Ranking: NR (Where I ranked them: 25)

Drake continued its unbeaten run in the PFL with a win over St. Thomas (MN).

25. Harvard (7-1) | Previous Ranking: 24 (Where I ranked them: NR)

Harvard has now won six straight games after beating Columbia.

Who dropped out from last week's official rankings: William & Mary (20), North Dakota (21), Western Carolina (22)