| Rank | Team | Comments | Prior | |
| 1 |  | South Dakota State | SDSU (2-0) has now won two games by blowout. They will get this week off before starting MVFC play at Indiana State. | 1 |
| 2 |  | Sam Houston | SHSU (2-0) beat down SEMO at home. The title defense is off to a great start. They'll take a week off before going to UCA. | 3 |
| 3 |  | Montana | UM (2-0) followed their huge FBS win with a home debut victory over Western Illinois. They get this week off before starting Big Sky play. | 2 |
| 4 |  | James Madison | JMU (2-0) made Maine into mince meat. Coming road game to Weber State is totally marquee. | 4 |
| 5 |  | North Dakota State | NDSU (2-0) had the beating of Valpo over in the first quarter, as predicted, 22-0. Road game to CAA Towson will be tougher. How much? | 5 |
| 6 |  | Delaware | UD (2-0) has two wins to start the season after blowing out St. Francis. The game at FBS Rutgers looks much tougher now. | 8 |
| 7 |  | Weber State | WSU (1-1) completely destroyed Dixie State after a closer first half. Next week, host JMU in one of the year's biggest non-cons. | 9 |
| 8 |  | Eastern Washington | EWU (2-0) was quite rude to D-II Central Washington. They go midwest next week, traveling to Western Illinois. | 6 |
| 9 |  | Southern Illinois | SIU (1-1) gave FBS absolutely everything they wanted, but was just a smidgen short. Expect Dayton to feel that wrath. | 7 |
| 10 |  | UC Davis | UC-D (2-0) followed their FBS win by annihilating San Diego. A game at Dixie State next should be very winnable also. | 10 |
| 11 |  | Montana State | MSU (1-1) won with ease over Drake and figure to do the same against another Pioneer team next week - San Diego. | 12 |
| 12 |  | Jacksonville State | JSU (1-1) looked bad in their opener. They played much better in their follow-up and beat FBS Florida State. Host North Alabama next. | 19 |
| 13 |  | East Tennessee State | ETSU (2-0) destroyed an overmatched lower division Va-Wise. A home game against Delaware State should be no obstacle either. | 14 |
| 14 |  | Northern Iowa | UNI (1-1) was in a slugfest at Sacramento State, then exploded in third quarter for 27 points. Home opener vs. St. Thomas next. | 21 |
| 15 |  | Southeastern Louisiana | SLU (1-1) the mega shootout with Louisiana Tech resulted in a loss. A game at Central Connecticut State should produce points also. | 16 |
| 16 |  | North Dakota | UND (1-1) started good against FBS Utah State. The second half did not go the same. Come home to play Drake next. | 11 |
| 17 |  | Villanova | VU (2-0) has won against a couple of Patriot cupcakes. Host Richmond next, who's been feasting at the bakery also. | 17 |
| 18 |  | Austin Peay | APSU (1-1) continues to get the rub from beating Chattanooga. Game at FBS Ole Miss was very bad. Expect Morehead State to pay. | 22 |
| 19 |  | Missouri State | MSU (1-1) was close against FBS Okie State. They got it done against Central Arkansas, with a pick six to end it. Bye week coming. | 24 |
| 20 |  | VMI | VMI (1-1) was beaten like egg whites by Kent State. A road game to Ivy Leaguer Cornell should produce meringue and a win. | 15 |
| 21 |  | Central Arkansas | UCA (0-2) is getting benefit of doubt having lost two tough road games. Need to dominate A-PB next week, SHSU afterwards. | 13 |
| 22 |  | Richmond | UR (2-0) has started with two wins over very soft oppoents. Their road game at Villanova will vindicate one or the other. | 23 |
| 23 |  | Monmouth | MU (1-1) won big at Fordham. The ranking drop shows that means almost nothing. A win at Charleston Southern will matter. | 18 |
| 24 |  | Furman | FU (2-0) stayed undefeated with a second FCS win. A trip to FBS North Carolina State will be very difficult. | NR |
| 25 |  | New Hampshire | UNH (2-0) has started with two CAA victories and a road game to Lafayette shouldn't slow their momentum either. | NR |
