After a couple of timid weeks, the DII football upset train rolled through the station in bewildering fashion yet again last weekend. No. 5 Minnesota Duluth was stunned by unranked Northern State; No. 6 UT Permian Basin fell to No. 10 Central Washington one week after upsetting Angelo State; and No. 9 Angelo State was surprised by preseason sleeper Texas A&M-Kingsville.
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While there was no change at the top — Ferris State and Harding look to be heading for a showdown this December — the rest of the Power 10 looks much different. This week, we welcome a new team to the first five out in UIndy.
Remember, these are my rankings, and mine alone. There is no voting committee: It is just me, my spreadsheets, and endless notes from coaches and other media members. I try to combine the selection metrics — like KPI, strength of schedule and common opponents, just to name a few — with the eye test for a ranking that falls somewhere between the national media polls and the regional rankings that come out in November.
The DII football Power 10: Week 6
No. 1 Ferris State | Previous: 1. I get that strength of schedule matters in seeding, and the last three opponents are not possessors of the strongest schedules; however, what Ferris State is doing is borderline insane. After the Bulldogs' third-straight shutout this weekend, they are amid a 3-0 stretch in which they have outscored their opponents 201-0. Wayne State (MI) mustered just 110 yards of offense, were sacked five times and threw three interceptions. Michigan Tech, now 5-1, is a very good football team, and Ferris State should roll past the Huskies next weekend.
No. 2 Harding | Previous: 2. It was another dominant victory for the Bisons, downing Southeastern Oklahoma State 35-7. The Bisons’ rush attack broke 400 yards for the fifth time in six games this season and DII’s No. 1 scoring defense held its opponent to one score or less for the fifth time. Braden Jay, my preseason MVP, is on fire, having scored at least on rushing touchdown in every game this season and four two-touchdown games in a row, a span in which he’s also run for 432 yards.
No. 3 Kutztown | Previous: 3. There seems to be no team in Super Region One that can hang with the mighty Golden Bears defense. This week, they won 34-7, marking the fourth time in six tries Kutztown's defense has held its opponents to one score or fewer. The Golden Bears average margin of victory has been 37.5 this season. This team is clicking and has a very favorable schedule ahead with 0-6 Millersville on deck.
No. 4 West Florida | Previous: 4. The Argos moved to 6-0 in a tricky Super Region Two where every win matters. The remain the top seed in ; however, every win matters moving forward as GSC play finally opens. Quarterback Marcus Stokes has found his groove, throwing for eight touchdowns and just two interceptions over the last two Saturdays. This team is clicking ahead of a huge matchup with West Alabama next week.
No. 5 Pittsburg State | Previous: 8. I'm sure Central Washington fans will be upset that I have the Gorillas ahead of their Wildcats, but the metrics lean towards the Gorillas for now. A few common opponents would be nice to be able to separate the two, but alas, we are not given that luxury. The Gorillas defense shined yet again in the 96th meeting against Washburn, as they downed the Ichabods 34-10. They have a tough end of the road against Central Missouri and Northwest Missouri State but should roll into those final two matchups amid a seven-game winning streak.
No. 6 Central Washington | Previous: 10. The LSC is the Wild West, and each week there seems to be a new sheriff in town. This week, it is the Wildcats atop the rankings with an impressive, late victory in which they scored 17 points in the final three minutes to come from behind and down former No. 6 UT Permian Basin. While the offense has been on fire of late, it was the defense that clamped down and kept the Falcons in check, allowing for the late heroics of quarterback Kennedy McGill and defensive back Javonte Walker's game-sealing pick six. Another tough matchup awaits next week against TAMUK riding high off its massive upset of Angelo State.
No. 7 Western Colorado | Previous: 7. The Mountaineers haven't played the toughest schedule, and the RMAC is still wide open with CSU Pueblo and Chadron State joining Western Colorado atop the standings with undefeated conference records. However, the Mountaineers are currently the only RMAC team undefeated overall and that gives them the slight edge over CSU Pueblo for now. This week was another big victory led by quarterback Drew Nash's monster six-touchdown day. Western Colorado closes the season against Colorado School of Mines, Power 10-er CSU Pueblo, Chadron State and receiving votes Colorado Mesa. There is a long way to go to make the bracket.
No. 8 UT Permian Basin | Previous: 6. The Falcons had a chance to beat a Power 10 team two weeks in a row but let it slip away in the final three minutes. That is enough to keep them in the top 10 for another week, especially when you consider how quickly Central Washington is climbing the ladder. The Falcons have cleared the toughest part of their schedule and have a real chance to close the season on a 5-0 run, so the playoffs and lofty ranking are still justifiable.
No. 9 Minnesota Duluth | Previous: 5. A series of other losses help keep Minnesota Duluth inside the top 10, but the Northern State loss was a shocker. Especially when you consider Kyle Walljasper had one of his best days of the season, throwing for 226 yards and two touchdowns while adding 105 rushing yards and two more touchdowns. Still, it was only a three-point loss (although the Wolves led the majority of the way) and the Bulldogs have the edge over the Mavericks with the head-to-head victory.
No. 10 Minnesota State | Previous: First five out. Did someone say Mavericks? Minnesota State thumped yet another opponent, the fourth straight game it has done so since that surprising three-point loss to Minnesota Duluth. Most impressively, the Mavericks won 47-21 without DII football's leading receiver TreShawn Watson. While Sam Backer rushed for two touchdowns, the defense was impressive with consecutive scores in the third quarter.
The first five (ish) out (in alphabetical order)
- Augustana (SD): Strength of schedule is the only thing keeping the Vikings out of the top 10 after a 50-10 blowout of Concordia-St. Paul to get to 7-0.
- CSU Pueblo: There is sure to be a "market correction" soon, as the ThunderWolves are an extra point away from being undefeated. Like the Mountaineers, the ThunderWolves have games against the toughest RMAC teams remaining, so we will learn more soon.
- Grand Valley State: The Lakers forced three interceptions and quarterback Austin Schuster had another solid performance as they stomped Northern Michigan 35-7.
- UIndy: The Greyhounds make their Power 10 debut here, and it is their 33-26 win over Ashland on Sept. 13 that opens the door as the Eagles almost snagged this spot. UIndy is on a five-game winning streak in which it has scored no fewer than 30 points in any game.
- Virginia Union: Running back Curtis Allen ran for at least two touchdowns for his sixth-straight game. This team is cooking.
Player of the week
Offensive player of the week: Drew Nash, Western Colorado. If you can't tell, the Mountaineers need to keep winning in a tricky RMAC and loaded Super Region Four. With Drew Nash doing Drew Nash things, that is quite possible. The quarterback threw for 399, interception-less yards with five touchdowns while adding a rushing touchdown to the box score as well.
Defensive player of the week: Landon Boss, Emporia State. The Hornets' linebacker was a boss helping secure the win for Emporia State and get the Hornets to 3-3. Boss recorded 11 tackles, four sacks, forced a fumble and snagged an interception in one of the single-most dominating performances of the season.
Freshman of the week: Jeffery Jones, New Mexico Highlands. Welcome back to the weekly honors, Mr. Jones. It is Jones' fourth freshmen of the week honor of 2025. This week, the Cowboys scored three touchdowns, and they all came from the legs of Jones, who added 159 yards rushing as well.
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