Re-ranking the final 8 FCS playoff teams before the quarterfinals

Eight teams remain in the FCS playoffs. As the quarterfinals approach, the time is right to re-rank the teams left standing.

A quick reminder: These are my rankings only. The FCS championship committee does not re-rank teams in the playoffs; this will not impact the actual field. This re-ranking of the remaining playoff teams will provide a look at how teams have played in the playoffs so far and who has impressed. That said, let's look at the new rankings for FCS playoff teams.

Re-ranking the FCS teams entering the quarterfinals

1. Montana State

Montana State moves up from No. 2 to No. 1 after North Dakota State's loss. The Bobcats opened their playoff run with a 21-13 win over Yale.

There goes that man! 💨

📺 ESPN+ |

— Montana State Football (@MSUBobcats_FB)

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2. Montana

Montana moves up one spot like its in-state counterpart. The Grizzlies had a better win than Montana State, defeating 14 seed South Dakota State, but the head-to-head Brawl of the Wild was only three weeks ago. I can't discount Montana's loss just yet when ranking the teams from the Treasure State.

OC has had this one in the play book for a looonnngg time 👏

TOUCHDOWN on the tickeration! 🪄

— Montana Griz Football (@MontanaGrizFB)

BRACKET: See the official 2025 FCS playoff bracket

3. South Dakota

A playoff shutout of a top-eight team gets South Dakota one of the top-three seeds. The Coyotes absolutely blasted Mercer and made Jerry Rice Award-winning quarterback Braden Atkinson look like he was seeing ghosts for the Bears. That's back-to-back standout performances from South Dakota, which defeated Drake 38-17 in the first round.

ANOTHER ONE!

Munn's 4th INT of the season!

📺 » ESPN+ x

— South Dakota Football (@SDCoyotesFB)

MORE: The importance of a top seed in the FCS playoffs, explained

4. Tarleton State

Tarleton State stays put in these re-rankings. The Texans controlled the game from start to finish in a 31-13 win over North Dakota.

The long ball KEEPS WORKING! 🔥

Gabalis finds Willis deep for a 77-yard score!

— Tarleton State Football (@TarletonFB)

5. UC Davis

Caden Pinnick showed why he was second in Jerry Rice Award voting in his playoff debut, throwing five touchdowns in a win over Rhode Island. Pinnick also rushed for 99 yards in the win. Pinnick's dynamic day is why the Aggies come in at No. 5.

Have a night, Zach Jones 🔥

📺 ESPN2 |

— UC Davis Football (@UCDfootball)

6. Illinois State

Illinois State goes from unseeded to No. 6 in this re-ranking after knocking off the defending champions, North Dakota State. The Redbird could've ranked higher, but you're not supposed to win games that you throw five interceptions in, throw a pick-six and allow a punt return touchdown. Illinois State's win was impressive, but flawed, so its ceiling is sixth.

THE REDBIRDS TAKE DOWN NO.1️⃣🤯

📺ESPN+ x x x x x x

— Valley Football (@ValleyFootball)

7. Villanova

Villanova moves up from its current No. 12 seed after a dominating, blowout win over Harvard in the first round and a hard-fought interstate win over No. 5 seed Lehigh. The Wildcats have shown multiple ways to win, quarterback Pat McQuaide has impressed, completing 64 percent of his passes and accounting five touchdowns in two playoff games.

50th career TD pass and 23rd this season as Pat McQuaide finds Braden Reed for the go-ahead 28-yard TD!

— Villanova Football (@NovaFootball)

8. Stephen F. Austin

Stephen F. Austin drops down one seed line, not because of anything it did — the Lumberjacks won after all. However, I do think other teams have been more impressive in their playoff games.

MAMA, THERE GOES THAT MAN🥵

📺: ESPN+
🔗: x x

— Lumberjack Football (@SFA_Football)