| Rank | Team | Comments | Prior |
| 1 |  | North Dakota State | The Bison (1-0) kicked off the season with an overtime win over Charleston Southern. Rested this week before hosting Eastern Washington next. | 1 |
| 2 |  | Richmond | Spiders (1-0) score the most impressive victory in FCS with a win over FBS Virginia. Host neighbor Norfolk State next week. | 3 |
| 3 |  | Sam Houston State | The Bearkats (1-0) beat Oklahoma Panhandle State, 59-21. They have a bye week before Lamar in two weeks. | 2 |
| 4 |  | Northern Iowa | The Panthers (1-0) beat FBS Iowa State, 25-20. UNI have a showdown with Montana at home next. | 5 |
| 5 |  | Jacksonville State | Gamecocks (1-0) defeated North Alabama, 31-12. Tough game ahead as they travel to FBS Louisiana State this week. | 4 |
| 6 |  | Chattanooga | The Mocs (1-0) had no trouble with Shorter, winning 66-0. Another non-conference game looms as they host Presbyterian this week. | 6 |
| 7 |  | Eastern Washington | The Eagles (1-0) pull the upset win against FBS Washington State. No easier next week in Fargo against the defending champion NDSU. | 10 |
| 8 |  | Coastal Carolina | The Chanticleers (1-0) took care of Lamar. The FCS farewell tour hosts Florida A&M next. | 9 |
| 9 |  | James Madison | The Dukes (1-0) just scored again...seriously. 80-7 over Morehead State, wow! Can they do that against Central Connecticut State too? | 12 |
| 10 |  | South Dakota State | Jackrabbits (0-1) gave FBS Texas Christian all they could handle, but fell short. Home game vs. Drake should be easier. | 8 |
| 11 |  | McNeese State | Cowboys (1-0) came out slow against Tarleton State, then took control with a 30 point win. Can't play that way next week at FBS Lousiana. | 11 |
| 12 |  | William & Mary | The Tribe (0-1) looked bad in a 48-14 loss against North Carolina State. Figures to have an easier time at Hampton next week. | 7 |
| 13 |  | Illinois State | Redbirds(1-0) win comfortably against Valparaiso. They travel upstate to play an angry and embarrassed Northwestern next week. | 13 |
| 14 |  | Montana | The Grizzlies (1-0) beat a game St. Francis team, 41-31. There is a MVFC/Big Sky showdown at Northern Iowa next week. | 14 |
| 15 |  | Citadel | Bulldogs (1-0) start the season with a conference win over Mercer. A second SoCon game hosting Furman is up next. | 16 |
| 16 |  | Western Illinois | Leathernecks (1-0) win in-state game over Eastern Illinois, 38-21. Top 25 match-up hosting Northern Arizona comes up next. | 18 |
| 17 |  | Charleston Southern | The Buccaneers (1-1) lost an overtime thriller to NDSU to open the year, then whipped Kentucky State. Trip to FBS Florida State this week. | 15 |
| 18 |  | Northern Arizona | The Lumberjacks (0-1) gave their all but it wasn't enough against Arizona State. NAU heads east to play Western Illinois next week. | 17 |
| 19 |  | Wofford | Terriers (1-0) win their opener over Tennessee Tech, 21-7. Wofford travels to Mississippi this week, which will be much tougher. | 21 |
| 20 |  | New Hampshire | Wildcats (0-1) traveled cross country to play FBS San Diego State...and lost. They get to stay home next week and host Holy Cross. | 19 |
| 21 |  | Youngstown State | The Penguins (1-0) dispatched Duquesne with ease. Now a date in Morgantown, WV with the Mountaineers in a big test. | 23 |
| 22 |  | Portland State | Vikings (1-0) annihlated lower division Central Washington. With 2 FBS wins last year, can they win at San Jose State this week? | 24 |
| 23 |  | Albany | The Danes (1-0) pull upset of FBS Buffalo. They could get some momentum going next week if they can win at Rhode Island. | NR |
| 24 |  | Eastern Kentucky | Colonels (0-1) could never close the gap after falling behind early to Purdue. A game against lower division Pikeville at home is next. | 22 |
| 25 |  | North Dakota | It was a tough road loss for the Fighting Hawks (0-1) to Stony Brook. No easier traveling to FBS Bowling Green this week. | 20 |
