| Rank | Team | Comments | Prior |
| 1 |  | North Dakota State | NDSU (2-0) wins an absolute thriller over Eastern Washington. Next they play at Iowa. If they win there, can anyone in FCS stop them? | 1 |
| 2 |  | Richmond | The Spiders (2-0) spun a web around Norfolk State, shutting them out 34-0. CAA play starts next week with a trip to Stony Brook. | 2 |
| 3 |  | Sam Houston State | The Bearkats (1-0) took this week off before next week's game at Lamar. This is probably the last team Lamar wants to see at this point. | 3 |
| 4 |  | Chattanooga | The Mocs (2-0) have won by a combined score of 100-0. That's impressive no matter who you've played. A conference roadie at Furman is next. | 6 |
| 5 |  | Jacksonville State | JSU (1-1) lost to FBS LSU. No real harm in that considering the mood the Tigers were in. A home game with Coastal awaits. | 5 |
| 6 | 
| Illinois State | The question about the Rebirds (2-0) and their rebuild were answered with a win over Northwestern. EIU comes calling next week. | 13 |
| 7 |  | Coastal Carolina | The Chanticleers (2-0) win handily again. Their biggest roadblock towards an undefeated season comes next week when they visit Jacksonville State. | 8 |
| 8 |  | Montana | The Grizzlies (2-0) jumped out early on Northern Iowa, then held on for a huge road win. That's deserving of a break next week. | 14 |
| 9 |  | Northern Iowa | UNI (1-1) missed opportunities to come back against Montana. Now they go to the road and face an equally disappointed EWU. | 4 |
| 10 |  | Eastern Washington | The Eagles (1-1) beat Washington State last week and almost won at North Dakota State this week. Next week they host Northern Iowa. | 7 |
| 11 |  | James Madison | The Dukes (2-0) are now averging 68 points per game, down from 80! It does get tougher next week with a visit to North Carolina. | 9 |
| 12 |  | South Dakota State | The Jackrabbits (1-1) rebound by whipping Drake. The last non-conference game is next week, hosting Cal Poly, before a week off. | 10 |
| 13 |  | Citadel | The Bulldogs (2-0) are in the very enviable position of being 2-0 in conference. They'll take a break from the SoCon next week going to Gardner-Webb. | 15 |
| 14 |  | Western Illinois | The Leathernecks (2-0) have two impressive wins over Eastern Illinois and Northern Arizona. They visit Northern Illinois next week. | 16 |
| 15 |  | William & Mary | The Tribe (1-1) beat Hampton this week 24-14. Not as impressive as one who have liked to have seen. They host Norfolk State next. | 12 |
| 16 |  | McNeese State | McNeese State (1-1) lost to FBS Louisiana-Lafayette. The Southland slate starts next week at home against Stephen F. Austin. | 11 |
| 17 |  | New Hampshire | UNH (1-1) sealed a win against Holy Cross with a late pick six. Next week they play at the Ivy League's Dartmouth for the Big Green's opener. | 20 |
| 18 |  | Charleston Southern | The Buccaneers (1-2) were overmatched against FBS Florida State anyway. Suspenions didn't help. It's time for a break; they'll take a week off. | 17 |
| 19 |  | Wofford | The Terriers (1-1) were leashed by Mississippi. A game against a lower division Johnson C. Smith is next up. | 19 |
| 20 |  | Albany | Look who we have here? The Great Danes (2-0) might be this year's Cinderella. A home win against Holy Cross next week may confirm it. | 23 |
| 21 |  | Eastern Kentucky | EKU (1-1) beat up on NAIA Pikeville Thursday, a game that really tells us nothing. Next they travel back to Indiana to play Ball State. | 24 |
| 22 |  | Samford | The Bulldogs (2-0) won a big non-conference game against Central Arkansas. Now they take a week off in preparation for Chattanooga. | NR |
| 23 |  | Youngstown State | The Penguins (1-1) were tied at half with West Virginia before losing. They pick back up with their "NEC" schedule next week with Robert Morris. | 21 |
| 24 |  | Northern Arizona | It's hard to boot the Lumberjacks (0-2) out just yet considering two road games against tough opponents. They get New Mexico Highlands next. | 18 |
| 25 |  | North Carolina A&T | The Aggies (2-0) get some love from us this week as they upset Kent State. They play Tulsa on the road next week. Could they double dip? | NR |
