Team Pages

Preseason FCS Football Top 25 Rankings

September 2, 2021 · CSM Staff

Rank	Team		Comments	Prior
1		Sam Houston	Bearkats won the spring FCS National Championship. Does their new conference affiliation mean adjustment for them or others?
2		James Madison	Dukes were controlling SHSU in semifinals before an epic collapse. Don’t expect that again. Almost everyone is back.
3		South Dakota State	Jackrabbits had a great spring season, literally coming seconds away from winning the National Championship. Will they repeat it?
4		North Dakota State	Bison couldn’t continue the run forever. 7-3 was a dissapointment in Fargo, tells you how good they’ve been. Is it rebound time?
5		Delaware	Blue Hens had a terrific spring going until facing SDSU. That was ugly. Can they build on spring and overtake JMU in the CAA?
6		Montana	Grizzlies dominated a couple “exhibition” games this spring. Most weapons return but will they regret playing a “practice” schedule?
7		Weber State	Wildcats’ on again-off again spring schedule probably hurt their consistency. Still a defensive stalwart. Can we get more offense?
8		Southern Illinois	Salukis lost in quarterfinals by MVFC friendly fire, to SDSU. The build to power has been constant. Now, let’s see them continue it.
9		Jacksonville State	Gamecocks lost at home in the quarters to Delaware. That had to sting. Still, JSU seems ready to jump back to the upper echelon.
10		Eastern Washington	Eagles’ offense was in top form in the spring and should be still. A middle-of-the-road defense and this team will be very dangerous.
11		Central Arkansas	Bears played in the fall last year, but not the spring, so no playoffs. A lot of the big pieces remain for a big season.
12		Montana State	Bobcats had no spring season, but the 2019 team was 11-4 and a semifinalist. Most feel a repeat is likely. Back up to speed quickly?
13		Monmouth	Hawks have positioned themselves as the boss of the Big South. A new contender is coming, will they continue their stranglehold?
14		North Dakota	Fighting Hawks used three straight home games in spring to jump start their year. Successful start in MVFC. Here to stay?
15		Southeastern Louisiana	Lions have new, very sharp logo. This offense is scary, if their defense catches up, who knows how far they could go?
16		North Carolina A&T	Aggies leave the MEAC for the Big South and look to contend from the start. Fans been talking the talk, can the team walk the walk?
17		VMI	Keydets upset the SoCon apple cart and made the playoffs this spring. Have they turned around the program for good?
18		UC Davis	Aggies were 3-2 this spring, missing playoffs. Still, spirits and optimism about in the Bay Area. Form return to 2018 or 2019?
19		Chattanooga	Mocs used spring as an extend scrimmage session. Played a lot of different faces, gaining experience. Sound strategy?
20		Villanova	Wildcats were 2-2 this spring. A team notoriously snakebitten by injuries, a healthy season with QB Smith could be very fruitful.
21		UNI	Panthers were hurt by injury and opt-outs as bad as anyone in the spring. Defense is the calling card. Can the offense ever catch up?
22		Albany	Great Danes had a disappointing spring. Oh well. They’re a fall season removed from 9-5 and QB Undercuffler is one of the best.
23		Murray State	After a good spring season and Jacksonville State leaving the OVC, can the Racers become the conference’s new boss?
24		Florida A&M	Rattlers have left the MEAC for the SWAC, but top of the heap looks to where they want to stay. Can they adjust to new opponents?
25		Sacramento State	Hornets didn’t play spring ball. But the last time they did, they went 9-3 and were a #4 seed in the playoffs. Can they jump start in 2021?