| Rank | Team | Comments | Prior | |
| 1 |  | Jacksonville State | Jacksonville State (7-1) handed Eastern Illinois its fourth loss. A road game at SEMO awaits. | 1 |
| 2 |  | Sam Houston State | The Bearkats (8-0) had no issues with Texas Southern. Shouldn't have any until UCA comes calling. | 2 |
| 3 |  | North Dakota State | NDSU (7-1) took control at Northern Iowa, then held on late. This team seems to win every close game. Winners do. | 3 |
| 4 |  | Eastern Washington | EWU (7-1) continues to roll. Their game at Cal Poly this week looks like their toughest remaining. | 4 |
| 5 |  | Richmond | Richmond (7-1) took the week off, probably watching JMU score at will. Huge CAA game with them next week. | 5 |
| 6 |  | Citadel | The Citadel (8-0) stays perfect over ETSU. They host Samford next, which should be a pretty good test. | 6 |
| 7 |  | James Madison | JMU (7-1) scores at least 80 for the second time this year. Rhode Island is no Richmond. And they go there next. | 8 |
| 8 |  | Chattanooga | Chattanooga (8-1) pulled ahead of WCU early, then coasted to a win. Maybe they started next week's bye after halftime. | 9 |
| 9 |  | Charleston Southern | CSU (5-2) rolled over Bucknell. Next they need to beat Gardner-Webb before their Big South showdown at Liberty. | 10 |
| 10 |  | Central Arkansas | UCA (7-1) crushed SE Louisiana, all but finishing their playoff hopes. They travel to SFA next. | 13 |
| 11 |  | Western Illinois | WIU (6-2) wins the "Nielsen Bowl" at South Dakota. Three games left, all against the bottom rungs of the MVFC ladder. | 14 |
| 12 |  | North Dakota | UND (7-2) is hot. How hot? Only seven wins in a row, undefeated in the Big Sky. At Northern Colorado next, win again? | 15 |
| 13 |  | Youngstown State | YSU (6-2) grinds out a come from behind win vs. Indiana State. Offense is hurting, but this defense is very, very real. | 16 |
| 14 |  | Samford | Samford (6-2) lost at FBS Mississippi State, but it was a high scoring affair. A proving game at The Citadel is next. | 12 |
| 15 |  | Villanova | Nova (6-2) had this week off. They travel to a Maine team who is suddenly knocking on the playoff door. | 17 |
| 16 |  | South Dakota State | SDSU (5-3) loses a stinker. Granted it was a roadie and we've mentioned that's a tough place to live in the MVFC. | 7 |
| 17 |  | Montana | Montana (5-3) took a third loss. With their schedule, winning two more games should get an at-large bid. | 11 |
| 18 |  | Coastal Carolina | CCU (6-2) beat down an overmatched Presbyterian. Four games remain and all are at home. | 18 |
| 19 |  | Cal Poly | Cal Poly (6-2) was less than impressive at Sacramenton State. Better tighten up with the Eagles coming to town. | 19 |
| 20 |  | Lehigh | The Mountain Hawks (7-2) whooped Fordham and have all but clinched the Patriot's automatic bid. Congrats. | 25 |
| 21 |  | New Hampshire | UNH (6-3) took down Stony Brook. There's a week off next before huge games against Albany and Maine. | 24 |
| 22 |  | Harvard | Harvard (6-1) rejoins the Top 25 after a short absense. They're controlling the Ivies with minimal resistence left. | NR |
| 23 |  | Liberty | The Flames (5-3) have won four straight. They look to make it five next week at Presbyterian. | NR |
| 24 |  | Wofford | Wofford (5-3) beat Mercer. Note the lack of excitement? If they don't win at Chattanooga in two weeks, goodbye playoffs. | 23 |
| 25 |  | North Carolina A&T | NCA&T (7-1) has reeled off five in a row. Yes, they're all MEAC teams, but this team also beat FBS Kent State earlier. | NR |
See Week 9 FCS Football Power Rankings
