| Rank | Team | Comments | Prior | |
| 1 |  | James Madison | Dukes (2-0) sank ETSU Buccos with ease. Next week they host Norfolk State, a team they should also swat easily (Hornets). | 1 |
| 2 |  | North Dakota State | Bison (2-0) stampeded at EWU, doing it easily. Next week they get a bye before hosting Robert Morris. Poor Robert Morris. | 2 |
| 3 |  | South Dakota State | Jackrabbits (2-0) had to use some trickery to win at Montana State. They host Drake next week, who lost by 70 two weeks ago. | 3 |
| 4 |  | Sam Houston State | Bearkats (2-0) didn't look overly impressive against Prairie View. This coming week is a bye, preparing for a dangerous Lamar. | 4 |
| 5 |  | New Hampshire | Wildcats (2-0) join the 'Beat the FBS Party' by knocking off Georgia Southern. Interesting roadie at Holy Cross next. | 9 |
| 6 |  | Liberty | Flames (2-0) whipped Morehead State. They host Indiana State next, expecting to do the same again. | 7 |
| 7 |  | Jacksonville State | Gamecocks (1-1) lose to Georgia Tech, but the win over Chattanooga keeps them high. They get the week off. | 5 |
| 8 |  | Villanova | Wildcats (1-1) drop a heartbreaker to Temple, 16-13. Look to release anger on Lafayette next week at home. | 6 |
| 9 |  | Samford | Bulldogs (2-0) gave up 41 to Division II West Alabama. Better tighten that up. Go to FBS Georgia next, that won't help. | 8 |
| 10 |  | Wofford | Terriers (2-0) go 2-0 in SoCon action, sneaking by Mercer, 28-27. They take this next week off before some Big South action. | 10 |
| 11 |  | North Dakota | Fighting Hawks (1-1) come back from a tough loss to crush Missouri State. Another tough one at South Dakota next. | 11 |
| 12 |  | Youngstown State | Penguins (1-1) got back after it, shutting out Robert Morris. Next home game should be similar versus CCSU. | 13 |
| 13 |  | Richmond | Spiders (1-1) rebound with an impressive victory against Colgate. Next week's home date is with Howard. | 15 |
| 14 |  | Western Illinois | Leathernecks (2-0) continue the Road Warrior mentality at Northern Arizona. Coastal Carolina better be ready next week. | 17 |
| 15 |  | Citadel | Bulldogs (2-0) whipped Presbyterian. So what? Travel to ETSU next. Should be another easy win. | 18 |
| 16 |  | Tennessee State | Tigers (2-0) beat FBS Georgia State, barely beat Jackson State. Florida A&M should be another lay-up, but come on now?! | 19 |
| 17 |  | Central Arkansas | Bears (1-1) come back from a buttkickin', to lay one of their own on Murray State. Home date with SELA is Southland important. | 20 |
| 18 |  | Eastern Washington | Eagles (0-2) were smashed by NDSU. Can't fault them because of their schedule. Now cross country at Fordham, tough! | 12 |
| 19 |  | Chattanooga | Much like EWU, the Mocs (0-2) schedule has been tough. The home game with UT-Martin is very important now. | 16 |
| 20 |  | Northern Iowa | Panthers (1-1) fought tooth and nail with Cal Poly and prevailed. A tough roadie at Southern Utah looms before MVFC play. | 24 |
| 21 |  | South Dakota | Coyotes (2-0) beat FBS Bowling Green. A win against North Dakota next week and they'll be on the playoff inside track. | NR |
| 22 |  | Charleston Southern | Buccaneers (0-1) postponed their game with SC State, but no date is announced. Next week they go to Elon, weather pending. | 23 |
| 23 |  | Colgate | Red Raiders (1-1) stay ranked despite losing to Richmond. But traveling to FBS Buffalo comes next. | 21 |
| 24 |  | Nicholls | Colonels (1-1) played Texas A&M tough. They host Prairie View next. Can they perform better than Sam Houston State did? | 22 |
| 25 |  | Lehigh | Mountain Hawks (0-2) stay by the skin of their teeth. They better beat Yale at home next week or their at-large hopes are gone. | 14 |
