Week 8 FCS Football Top 25 Rankings
October 25, 2021 · Jason Groomes
| Rank | Team | Comments | Prior | |
| 1 |  |
North Dakota State | Bison seemed to have had their letdown two weeks after UNI, almost losing to Missouri State. Another home game with Indiana State next. | 2 |
| 2 |  |
Sam Houston | Bearkats had no issues with Jacksonville State. Wouldn’t figure there’ll be any at Tarleton State this week either. | 3 |
| 3 |  |
Southern Illinois | Salukis had the week off. They had to have an interested eye on Northern Iowa’s upset of SDSU. They go to UNI next. | 4 |
| 4 |  |
Villanova | Wildcats de-horned the Rams in impressive fashion. They’ll need that same focus against surging William & Mary. | 5 |
| 5 |  |
Eastern Washington | Eagles losing to Weber State was a shocker. Losing at home is even more surprising. Expect some wind sprints during this bye week. | 1 |
| 6 |  |
James Madison | Dukes got by a hurting Delaware – no sympathy. Now a home date with Elon, who could jump into the playoff picture with an upset. | 7 |
| 7 |  |
Southeastern Louisiana | Lions beat Northwestern State, their fifth road win already! Host McNeese, who they beat a few weeks back. McNeese pull another upset? | 9 |
| 8 |  |
Montana State | Bobcats took down Idaho State to solidify themselves as a playoff hopeful. They’ll take the week off to prepare for Eastern Washington. | 8 |
| 9 |  |
UC Davis | Aggies got a spirited effort from Cal Poly, but still were victorious. They finally get their bye this week. | 10 |
| 10 |  |
South Dakota State | Jackrabbits lost their second straight home game. They’ll go back to the road to try and get back to winning; at Youngstown State. | 6 |
| 11 |  |
Tennessee-Martin | Skyhawks win their “non-conference” game with SEMO. A home date with Austin Peay is next. This one counts in the OVC standings. | 12 |
| 12 |  |
Sacramento State | Hornets put a hurtin’ on Northern Arizona. They’ll hope to keep that momentum rolling at Northern Colorado. | 21 |
| 13 |  |
Montana | Griz righted the ship, beating Idaho. They’ll get some home cookin’ this week and host Southern Utah. | 14 |
| 14 |  |
East Tennessee State | Bucs went to Furman, came home with a win. Now they’ll get a long awaited bye, before three to finish the season. | 16 |
| 15 |  |
Eastern Kentucky | Colonels had a weekend of relaxation. Next week they’ll host Lamar. | 19 |
| 16 |  |
Kennesaw State | Owls were prepared for Campbell and were not bothered by losing. A home date with Gardner-Webb comes this week. | 15 |
| 17 |  |
Northern Iowa | Panthers end their two game losing streak with a huge road win at SDSU. Now, back home for another top level opponent – Southern Illinois. | 20 |
| 18 |  |
VMI | Keydets had this weekend off. They’ll need not look ahead, even at home, Samford is good enough to pull the upset. | 23 |
| 19 |  |
Jackson State | Tigers beat winless Bethune-Cookman, no surprise. Next they’ll host Mississippi Valley State, who’s actually a little better this year. | 18 |
| 20 |  |
Princeton | Tigers beat Harvard in an undefeated showdown. A road game at struggling Cornell comes next. | 25 |
| 21 |  |
South Dakota | Coyotes followed a huge road win at UNI with a home stinker against Illinois State. They get a bye next. | 11 |
| 22 |  |
Incarnate Word | Cardinals couldn’t beat McNeese for a second time. Next, they get Houston Baptist for the first of two games this last month. | 13 |
| 23 |  |
Missouri State | Bears were winning a good portion of their game at NDSU. Lost opportunity. Now they’ll come home, trying to end North Dakota’s playoff hopes. | 17 |
| 24 |  |
Rhode Island | Rams were completely taken to the woodshed by Villanova. They come home to host Maine, a game they really need to win. | 22 |
| 25 |  |
William & Mary | Pride got back into the win column by turning back Towson. The game at Villanova next could push them into the playoffs later. | NR |
