Week 5 FCS Football Top 25 Rankings
October 4, 2021 · Jason Groomes
| Rank | Team | Comments | Prior | |
| 1 |  |
South Dakota State |
Jackrabbits had no issues beating Dixie State. It’s all conference games now. Southern Illinois comes next week. | 1 |
| 2 |  |
James Madison | Dukes did not play their best but still won at New Hampshire. They’ll host a good, rested Villanova next week. | 3 |
| 3 |  |
Sam Houston | Bearkats won Battle of Piney Woods over Stephen F. Austin, but it was tight. Next week’s game at home against Lamar should be easier. | 2 |
| 4 |  |
North Dakota State | Bison traveled north and beat their brothers, 16-10. They come home for another slobberknocker – Northern Iowa. | 5 |
| 5 |  |
Eastern Washington | Eagles win another statement game against Montana this time. Road games are tougher for EWU. Will Northern Colorado scare them? | 8 |
| 6 |  |
UC Davis | Aggies “vandalized” Idaho. This coming week they will hit the road to play Idaho State instead. | 7 |
| 7 |  |
Southern Illinois | Salukis had a rough go with Western Illinois. Better play better at South Dakota State or they’ll get run off the field. | 6 |
| 8 |  |
Montana | Grizzlies lost at Eastern Washington in a highly entertaining game. They’ll entertain Dixie State next. Expect them to be in a bad mood. | 4 |
| 9 |  |
Delaware | Hens took care of Albany, but a road trip down to an undefeated Rhode Island will be tougher than perceived before the season. | 9 |
| 10 |  |
Montana State | Bobcats disposed of Northern Colorado with relative ease. They’ll try again next week when hosting Cal Poly. | 10 |
| 11 |  |
Northern Iowa | Panthers jumped all over Youngstown State using explosive offense. A similar effort will be needed at North Dakota State. | 12 |
| 12 |  |
East Tennessee State | Buccaneers look like the best team in the SoCon. Just beat Wofford at home, The Citadel comes calling next. | 11 |
| 13 |  |
Southeastern Louisiana | Lions played a “low scoring” game, beating McNeese 38-35. They will play at Nicholls next – their fifth straight away from home! | 13 |
| 14 |  |
Missouri State | Bears pulled away in a win at Illinois State. A second straight road game coming to Youngstown State. | 15 |
| 15 |  |
Villanova | Wildcats licked their wounds from playing FBS Penn State. Now they go to James Madison in a huge CAA match-up. | 16 |
| 16 |  |
North Dakota | Fighting Hawks lost a home battle with in-state North Dakota State. Sneaky, tough road game at South Dakota is next. | 14 |
| 17 |  |
Weber State | Wildcats punished Cal Poly, getting on the right side of the win/loss column. They’ll take next week off before two toughies. | 18 |
| 18 |  |
Tennessee-Martin | Skyhawks had the week off. This week’s home game with Murray State might be their biggest of the season. | 24 |
| 19 |  |
Incarnate Word | Cardinals stay hot beating Northwestern State. They’ll rest this week before starting the rest of their regular season schedule. | 21 |
| 20 |  |
Rhode Island | Rams got by Stony Brook, but the upcoming home date with Delaware could really garner national attention. | NR |
| 21 |  |
Chattanooga | Mocs beat down Western Carolina. This road game at Virginia Military could be a playoff separater down the road. | NR |
| 22 |  |
Central Arkansas | Bears won at Abilene Christian, but it was close most of the game. They get a bye next week before facing the rest of their schedule. | NR |
| 23 |  |
Stephen F. Austin | Lumberjacks gave everything they had to Sam Houston State. For any chance at the playoffs, they have to win at Jacksonville State. | NR |
| 24 |  |
Princeton | Tigers gave up their first score in three games. Seven points in three games! If they can do that at Monmouth? Would be impressive. | NR |
| 25 |  |
New Hampshire | Wildcats lost a heartbreaker to James Madison. They’ll get the week off and make sure it doesn’t happen against Dartmouth. | 22 |
