| Rank | Team | Comments | Prior |
| 1 |  | North Dakota State | Bison won a hard fought game against Youngstown State, who had the extra week to prepare. They go to Indiana State next before "The Marker" game. | 1 |
| 2 |  | South Dakota State | Jackrabbits win in workmanlike fashion over Western Illinois. Dangerous home game with a rested South Dakota before their annual trip to Fargo. | 3 |
| 3 |  | Montana | Grizzlies had control in win at Idaho State, but a late fury made it look closer than it was. Costs Montana a spot. Bye week before hosting Idaho. | 2 |
| 4 |  | Delaware | Blue Hens avoid the major look ahead, beating Towson 24-10. Their defense is stout. They'll get tested next week at William & Mary. | 4 |
| 5 |  | Weber State | Wildcats had this week off. Next week they get a home game with Eastern Washington, who'll be in must-win mode if they want any playoff hopes. | 5 |
| 6 |  | Sacramento State | Hornets were way too much for Cal Poly, 49- 21. Come back home next week for a game with Northern Colorado. | 7 |
| 7 |  | Montana State | Bobcats grind out a tough win over UC-Davis. QB Chambers was the ultimate weapon in this one. They'll come home to play Idaho State. | 6 |
| 8 |  | Holy Cross | Crusaders remain undefeated winning a sneaky tough road game at Harvard. A home game with Bucknell will restart their Patriot League schedule. | 8 |
| 9 |  | Mercer | Bears continue to roll anyone not named FBS Auburn. Wofford was no match, but Western Carolina has a solid offense. Should be an interesting visit. | 12 |
| 10 |  | Jackson State | Tigers took this week off. They'll hit the road for Alabama State next week. Can anyone in the SWAC slow them down? | 9 |
| 11 |  | Incarnate Word | Cardinals bounce back big and beat McNeese, 48-20. The upcoming home game with Lamar figures to be a tasty match-up. | 10 |
| 12 |  | Chattanooga | Mocs' had extra time to prepare for ETSU and was in serious trouble until the 4th quarter. They'll get the week off before hosting VMI, then Mercer. | 11 |
| 13 |  | Samford | Bulldogs had troubles with Furman at the beggining and end of their game, but they OWNED the middle. A home game with Wofford should be easier. | 15 |
| 14 |  | Southeast Missouri | Redhawks had no real problems at Lindenwood. They get a home game with Tennessee Tech next week, trying to stay in OVC's driver's seat. | 16 |
| 15 |  | Southeastern Louisiana
| Lions whooped Murray State, 48-14. Next week, they get the honor of being Texas A&M-Commerce's first Southland opponent, at home. | 17 |
| 16 |  | UT Martin | Skyhawks beat Tennessee Tech easily, 45-28. Next week is a road tilt at struggling Murray State. | 18 |
| 17 |  | William & Mary | Tribe took care of business at Stony Brook, setting up this week's next monster game of the year tilt with a visit from Delaware. | 19 |
| 18 |  | Elon
| Phoenix won an overtime thriller over Richmond. Being 4-1 feels so much better than 3-2. Now another home game with Towson. | 23 |
| 19 |  | Southern Illinois | Salukis used a big 2nd quarter to forge ahead of Illinois State, then hold on for a 19-14 win. Next week's game at Missouri State? Playoff implications! | 21 |
| 20 |  | Eastern Kentucky | Colonels win home game with Southern Utah after disappointing loss to APSU. They get this week off before home game with Sam Houston. | 22 |
| 21 |  | Idaho | Vandals soar over Northern Colorado, 55-35. They get this coming week off before their biggest of the year to date - at Montana. | 25 |
| 22 |  | North Dakota | Fightin' Hawks may have surprised some by whipping Missouri State, 48-31. They're extra tough at home, but next week they're at Youngstown State. | NR |
| 23 |  | Rhode Island | Rams appear to have put on the breaks in the second half in beating Brown 38-10. Was 38-3 at half. Bye week now before hosting Elon. | NR |
| 24 |  | Fordham | Rams enter Top 25 at 4-1 despite giving up over 44 ppg! No problem, they score just short of 52! They go to Lehigh next week. Expect scoring. | NR |
| 25 |  | Austin Peay | Governors follow up their huge home win against EKU by laying a huge egg at Central Arkansas. Now a bye before hosting Murray State. | 14 |
