| Rank | Team | Comments | Prior | |
| 1 |  | James Madison | JMU (5-0) suddenly isn't scoring at will. The bye might be best right now, because Villanova waits on the other side. | 1 |
| 2 |  | North Dakota State | NDSU (4-0) probably didn't beat Missouri State as bad as many may have thought, but still won. At Indiana State next week. | 2 |
| 3 |  | South Dakota | Coyotes (4-0) previous wins aren't looking as strong, but beating WIU counts big. How about Youngstown State? Game on! | 7 |
| 4 |  | Jacksonville State | JSU (3-1) smacked around Tennessee Tech. The OVC march has started. Next stop at Austin Peay. | 5 |
| 5 |  | Youngstown State | Penguins (3-1) took down SDSU. That defense is tough, especially at home. Can they figure out South Dakota too? | 9 |
| 6 |  | South Dakota State | SDSU (3-1) figures it was going to take a Herculean defense to slow them down. Southern Illinois - prepare for the rebound! | 3 |
| 7 |  | Wofford | Wofford (4-0) whipped Presbyterian, first time they've won by more than two points. A very game Western Carolina visits next. | 8 |
| 8 |  | Central Arkansas | UCA (3-1) jumped all over Sam Houston State and took control of the Southland. Houston Baptist should be gravy. | 13 |
| 9 |  | Sam Houston State | SHSU (3-1) lost control of the Southland to UCA. You can bet Stephen F. Austin will get the Bearkats best next week. | 4 |
| 10 |  | New Hampshire | UNH (4-1) enters their bye week right where they hoped to be. Alas, the loss a couple weeks ago to Holy Cross still stings. | 10 |
| 11 |  | Western Illinois | WIU (3-1) tried to ruin their ex-coach's return, but come up short. Road trip to Northern Iowa is next. | 6 |
| 12 |  | Illinois State | Redbirds (4-0) went to 2-0 in the MVFC. Now they finish up their non-con schedule at Northern Arizona next weekend. | 19 |
| 13 |  | Villanova | Nova (3-2) has alternated wins and losses. Can they break the pattern at home against Maine next week? | 14 |
| 14 |  | Eastern Washington | EWU (3-2) has now rattled off three straight wins. Next week they face UC-Davis, who's also 3-2. Really? Big game then. | 15 |
| 15 |  | Richmond | Richmond (2-2) took a much needed week off. They really need to win the upcoming home clash with Albany. | 16 |
| 16 |  | Weber State | Wildcats (4-1) have beaten everyone not from FBS in 2017. Next week, they'll relax and prepare for in state Southern Utah. | 22 |
| 17 |  | Stony Brook | Stony Brook (4-1) are 3-0 in CAA play, making a big statement. A win at home vs. Delaware clinches a .500 conference record. | 23 |
| 18 |  | Citadel | The Citadel (3-1) lost their first game to Samford. They better not sleep on Mercer, looking ahead to Wofford. | 11 |
| 19 |  | Monmouth | Monmouth (4-1) went to 3-0 in Patriot League action, too bad they're in the Big South. Ironically, they're at Bucknell next. | 24 |
| 20 |  | North Carolina A&T | A&T (5-0) keeps racking up the wins, but look at the records of their opponents...they SHOULD be 5-0. Delaware State's next. | 20 |
| 21 |  | McNeese | McNeese (4-1) continues to roll since losing a close opener. At Abilene Christian next week, which shouldn't be too rough. | 25 |
| 22 |  | Elon | Elon (4-1) has notched four wins in a row, since losing to FBS Toledo. They host William & Mary next. | NR |
| 23 |  | Western Carolina | WCU (4-1) kicked Chattanooga while they're down, good for them. Going to Wofford and winning will be tougher. | NR |
| 24 |  | Liberty | Liberty (3-2) lost their second in a row, to St. Francis? Not an encouraging sign for someone transitioning to FBS. | 12 |
| 25 |  | UT-Martin | UTM (3-2) lost a stinker to Austin Peay, 7-0? Seven total points? Welcome to 1947! Better beat Murray State. | 18 |
