Montana State retakes No. 1 in Stan Becton's Week 13 Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll ballot

Nine ranked teams lost last week, only two weeks before the FCS playoffs. Here's how that impacted 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.

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

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

1. Montana State  (11-0) | Previous Ranking: 2 (Where I ranked them: 2)

A win over a top-five team in UC Davis gets Montana State back on top in my ballot. Plus, FBS New Mexico's win yesterday over Washington State makes Montana's resume more impressive.

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

North Dakota State comes in at No. 2 ahead of its season finale against a top-five South Dakota team.

3. South Dakota State (9-2) | Previous Ranking: 3 (Where I ranked them: 3)

South Dakota State dominated Southern Illinois last week and is clearly the No. 3 team at this point in the season.

4. South Dakota (8-2) | Previous Ranking: 5 (Where I ranked them: 5)

South Dakota rallied past North Dakota with a dominant second half, winning 42-36.

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5. UC Davis (9-2) | Previous Ranking: 4 (Where I ranked them: 4)

UC Davis stays in the top five after a loss to Montana State. The Aggies still have wins over Idaho and Montana, a pair of top-10 teams.

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

Idaho has won four straight games and is in a great position for a playoff bye.

7.  Mercer (9-2) | Previous Ranking: 7 (Where I ranked them: 7)

Mercer doesn't drop for me after losing to Alabama out of the FBS.

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

UIW won the Southland with its win last week.

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

Montana got back in the win column ahead of the Brawl of the Wild vs. Montana State.

10.  Abilene Christian (8-3) | Previous Ranking: 14 (Where I ranked them: 11)

Abilene Christian is the UAC champion after a great win over Tarleton State.

11. Richmond (9-2) | Previous Ranking: 11 (Where I ranked them: 12)

Richmond clinched the CAA auto bid, now it just has to defeat William & Mary to remain in contention for a bye.

12. Rhode Island (9-2) | Previous Ranking: 15 (Where I ranked them: 13)

Rhode Island's only FCS loss is to Delaware, a transitioning team. The Rams most recently defeated UAlbany, showcasing their ability to win close games.

13. Southeast Missouri State (9-2) | Previous Ranking: 12 (Where I ranked them: 15)

SEMO played it close, but ultimately got the win over Western Illinois, 54-45.

14. Duquesne (8-2) | Previous Ranking: 22 (Where I ranked them: 18)

Duquesne won its eighth straight game to remain undefeated against FCS competition.

15. Tarleton State (8-3) | Previous Ranking: 13 (Where I ranked them: 9)

Tarleton State stays in the top 15 after a loss to Abilene Christian.

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16. Illinois State (8-3) | Previous Ranking: 17 (Where I ranked them: 19)

Illinois State is a win away from its first postseason appearance since 2019.

17. Villanova (8-3) | Previous Ranking: 9 (Where I ranked them: 14)

The FCS bubble got a lot more interesting after Villanova's loss to Monmouth.

18. Jackson State (9-2) | Previous Ranking: 23 (Where I ranked them: 22)

Jackson State won the SWAC East with a win over Alabama State.

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19. Harvard (7-1) | Previous Ranking: 20 (Where I ranked them: 25)

Harvard moves into the top 25 after clinching at least a share of the Ivy League title.

20. New Hampshire (7-4) | Previous Ranking: NR (Where I ranked them: NR)

New Hampshire joins my ballot inside the top 20, ranking higher than the Stony Brook team it beat.

21. Stony Brook (8-3) | Previous Ranking: 16 (Where I ranked them: 16)

Stony Brook lost to New Hampshire, but still remains ranked as its only the second FCS loss for the Seawolves.

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

South Carolina State has been dominant in its last two games from the opening whistle. That gets the Bulldogs on my ballot.

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23. Northern Arizona (7-4) | Previous Ranking: 25 (Where I ranked them: NR)

Northern Arizona has won four straight games in its late postseason push.

24. UT Martin (7-4) | Previous Ranking: 18 (Where I ranked them: 17)

UT Martin falls after a stunning loss to Tennessee Tech.

25. Eastern Kentucky (7-4) | Previous Ranking: NR (Where I ranked them: NR)

After an overtime win over Austin Peay, Eastern Kentucky enters my ballot. The Colonels have won four straight games including two ranked wins.

Who dropped out from last week's official rankings: Chattanooga (19), ETSU (21), Central Arkansas (24)