| Rank | Team | Comments | Prior | |
| 1 |  | Sam Houston State | Sam Houston State has just one thing to do to make this year better than the last. Frisco here we come. | |
| 2 |  | North Dakota State | The North Dakota State defense will again be one of the best in the nation. Another deep playoff run awaits. | |
| 3 |  | Georgia Southern | Jaybo Shaw ran Georgia Southern's triple option attack very well. Now a new signal caller has to take over. | |
| 4 |  | Montana State | The Bobcats have talent all over the field, but the offensive line lacks experience and that could be disruptive. | |
| 5 |  | James Madison | The Dukes return 17 starters, including four preseason All-CAA selections. The schedule is pretty nice too. | |
| 6 |  | Eastern Washington | Forget about last season, Eastern Washington with new QB Kyle Padron, is a very good team. | |
| 7 |  | Appalachian State | Appalachian State was not a dominating team last year, but they could be this time around if the o-line improves. | |
| 8 |  | Towson | The Tigers offense will again be extremely potent in 2012, but nobody will look past Towson this year either. | |
| 9 |  | Northern Iowa | With Wisconsin and Iowa on the schedule, UNI has little room for error if they hope to make it back to the playoffs. | |
| 10 |  | Old Dominion | With their offensive firepower, ODU will not need the CAA's auto bid to make another trip to the playoffs. | |
| 11 |  | Youngstown State | Youngstown State has a very potent offense. Now they just need to be consistent in order reach the playoffs. | |
| 12 |  | Jacksonville State | The Gamecocks tied for the OVC title last season, but were left out of the playoffs. They'll aim for both this year. | |
| 13 |  | Lehigh | Lehigh should dominate the Patriot League again, but without quarterback Chris Lum they may be less dangerous. | |
| 14 |  | Wofford | All eyes will be on Wofford's new quarterback Brian Kass as he takes over the nation's top rushing attack. | |
| 15 |  | New Hampshire | UNH needs to improve on defense and find a quality replacement for Kevin Decker to make it nine playoffs in a row. | |
| 16 |  | Eastern Kentucky | The Colonels offense is brimming with potential after a mid-season switch to a pro style attack in 2011. | |
| 17 |  | Illinois State | Coach Brock Spack had the Redbirds on the verge of a playoff berth last year. This year will be the same. | |
| 18 |  | Montana | The off-field distractions will eventually come to an end, but it remains to be seen how it will effect the play on the field. | |
| 19 |  | Bethune-Cookman | Bethune-Cookman has the potential for a veyr potent offense and should be the team to beat in the MEAC. | |
| 20 |  | Stephen F. Austin | The Lumberjacks have to survive a brutal schedule to start the season or their fate may be the same as 2011. | |
| 21 |  | Grambling State | Coach Doug Williams wasted little time picking up where he left off. Now he needs junior to step up at quarterback. | |
| 22 |  | Stony Brook | The rest of the Big South would love to see Miguel Maysonet and Marcus Coker in the CAA right now. | |
| 23 |  | Harvard | As long as the secondary can hold, Harvard will be eyeing another undefeated season in Ivy League play. | |
| 24 |  | Murray State | The Racers have the offensive firepower to beat anybody on any given day. They just need to be consistent. | |
| 25 |  | Delaware | When Delaware has a strong defense, they usually make the playoffs. In 2012, Delaware has a strong defense. | |
FCS Football 2012 Preseason Top 25 Rankings
Wed, 08/01/2012
