| Rank | Team | Comments | Prior | |
| 1 |  | North Dakota State | NDSU (4-0) won back the Dakota Marker from SDSU in a national showdown. Next week they have their first road game at UNI. | 1 |
| 2 |  | James Madison | JMU (4-1) splattered Richmond all over the field, 63-10. The mojo is flowing right now. Can Elon stop it? | 2 |
| 3 |  | Eastern Washington | EWU (4-1) beat Montana State, 34-17. Never really in doubt. Barring the 'trap', next week's home date with SUU shouldn't be either. | 5 |
| 4 |  | South Dakota State | SDSU (2-1) lost to NDSU. But they pushed the Bison, leading in the 4th quarter. A home date with Indiana State awaits. | 3 |
| 5 |  | Kennesaw State | The Owls (4-1) may have put the final nail in Samford's season. Now the Big South defense begins with Presbyterian visiting first. | 4 |
| 6 |  | Elon | Elon (3-1) stayed hot and hurting UNH's playoff hopes further. Monster showdown in Harrisonburg for early CAA supremecy next. | 8 |
| 7 |  | McNeese State | McNeese (4-1) didn't look overly impressive, beating SFA 17-10. Next week's game against Abilene Christian should be easier. | 10 |
| 8 |  | Montana | Montana (4-1) continued to roll, this week over Cal Poly. Portland State doesn't look like a good candidate to end their winning ways. | 12 |
| 9 |  | Wofford | Wofford (3-1) proves Terriers are better than Bulldogs, beating Gardner-Webb. If they win at Chattanooga next, the SoCon is theirs. | 13 |
| 10 |  | Weber State | WSU (3-1) had the week off. Next week is a trip to banged up Northern Arizona. Will they look past to EWU in two weeks? | 14 |
| 11 |  | Jacksonville State | JSU (3-1) came out slow but cruised eventually over Austin Peay. Have they improved or is the OVC down? Might be both. | 11 |
| 12 |  | Illinois State | Hmm? Did anybody see the Redbirds (3-1) losing to Missouri State? Interesting hiccup, but Western Illinois won't cut them slack next. | 6 |
| 13 |  | UC Davis | UCD (3-1) rested this week. A road game with a physical NoCo is next. But can the Bears handle the Aggies' high-powered finesse? | 18 |
| 14 |  | Stony Brook | SB (4-1) squeezed by Villanova to go 2-0 in the CAA. A tough road test to 3-1 Towson is next. That alone ups the stakes. | 20 |
| 15 |  | Nicholls | Nicholls (3-2) emerged from the meat grinder part of their schedule and whooped Lamar. They'll try to do the same at NW State next. | 15 |
| 16 |  | Colgate | The 'Gate (4-0) continues to shine, this time shutting out W&M, 23-0. Hard to see a loss on this schedule until season's end at Army. | 16 |
| 17 |  | Sam Houston State | SHSU (2-2) won a massively important game against UCA. Now they should be favored in every game the rest of the way. | 22 |
| 18 |  | Maine | Maine (2-2) has lost all early momentum. That bye came too early. Vital home game with Villanova is next. Playoff implications, folks. | 7 |
| 19 |  | Villanova | 'Nova (3-2) is now 0-2 against non-Pennsylvania teams. That road game to Maine is important. Can they break the jinx? | 9 |
| 20 |  | Rhode Island | URI (3-1) beat Harvard this week. Yes, it's an Ivy team, but is also 2-0 in CAA play. They'll host the Ivy's Rhodie team next, Brown. | NR |
| 21 |  | Missouri State | MSU (3-1) pulled one of the two or three biggest upsets of the year, beating Illinois State. Can they do it again at South Dakota? | NR |
| 22 |  | Montana State | The Bobcats (3-2) fell to EWU. They just aren't at the Sky's top level yet. This week they get a bye to prepare for Idaho. | 17 |
| 23 |  | Northern Iowa | Is UNI (2-2) a product of two stronger and two weaker opponents? We'll find out this week. Still, consecutive shutouts are tough to do. | NR |
| 24 |  | North Carolina A&T | A&T (4-1) had trouble with another winless team early, but prevailed in the end this time. Roadie to horrible Delaware State is next. | 25 |
| 25 |  | Tennessee State | TSU (2-1) gave Vanderbilt all they could handle, coming up just short. A road test at Austin Peay could be for the OVC's second place. | 24 |
