North Dakota State, Montana State lead Stan Becton's Week 8 Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll ballot

After seven ranked FCS teams lost, there will be plenty of new entrants in this week's FCS polls. Here's a preview of what that could look like from the latest Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll ballot from NCAA FCS football reporter Stan Becton.

Every week, the top teams in the FCS are ranked nationally by both FCS coaches and FCS media. I, Stan Becton, am obviously not a coach, but I am a part of the FCS media and I do have a vote in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll. I'll be submitting my ballot weekly, ranking my top 25 FCS teams.

With the FCS Playoff Committee adding the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll to its selection criteria for the first time in 2023, the media poll is of even more importance moving forward. To be transparent with my readers, fans and more, I have decided to reveal my ballot every week with explanations for selections. 

Remember, this is my one ballot out of 56 total Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll voters — and just one ballot from the 23 national representatives that vote. That's to say, yes, my ballot does impact the poll, but it's in no way the end-all-be-all factor.

Nonetheless, here is my Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll ballot for this week.

Week 8: Stan Becton's Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll ballot

OFFICIAL RANKINGS: Click or tap here for the latest STATS Perform Rankings

1. North Dakota State (6-1) | Previous Ranking: 2 (Where I ranked them: 1)

North Dakota State holds on to the top spot. The Bison have beaten four teams that were previously ranked at some point this season.

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2. Montana State (7-0) | Previous Ranking: 3 (Where I ranked them: 2)

Montana State has its notable FCS win, leaving no doubt against Idaho.

3. South Dakota State (5-1) | Previous Ranking: 1 (Where I ranked them: 3)

South Dakota State handily beat Youngstown State. The Dakota Marker is up next.

4. South Dakota (5-1) | Previous Ranking: 4 (Where I ranked them: 4)

South Dakota continues to show that it's a top-four FCS team week after week.

5. Villanova (5-1) | Previous Ranking: 5 (Where I ranked them: 5)

Villanova had a bye last week.

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6. Mercer (6-0) | Previous Ranking: 8 (Where I ranked them: 6)

Mercer's defense let up a touchdown. Yes, that's newsworthy. Mercer's defense also score a touchdown of its own. Mercer will be hard for any team to beat because of its defense.

7. UC Davis (6-1) | Previous Ranking: 6 (Where I ranked them: 7)

UC Davis dominated Cal Poly. The Miles Hastings-Lan Larison backfield will be hard to stop.

8. Southeast Missouri State (6-1) | Previous Ranking: 11 (Where I ranked them: 9)

Paxton DeLaurent had another four-touchdown day in another SEMO win.

9. North Dakota (4-2) | Previous Ranking: 9 (Where I ranked them: 12)

North Dakota had a bye last week and is 4-2.

10. Idaho (4-3) | Previous Ranking: 7 (Where I ranked them: 8)

Idaho has lost two of its last three games, but I still think the Vandals are a top-10 team in the FCS.

11. Montana (5-2) | Previous Ranking: 8 (Where I ranked them: 13)

Montana picked up a big win over Northern Arizona.

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12. Tarleton State (6-1) | Previous Ranking: 13 (Where I ranked them: 14)

Kayvon Britten may be the offensive star at Tarleton State, but it was the defense that pitched a shutout in the win.

13. UIW (4-2) | Previous Ranking: 15 (Where I ranked them: 16)

UIW made a statement with its 45-point win over Nicholls.

14. Abilene Christian (4-3) | Previous Ranking: 10 (Where I ranked them: 10)

There's no other way to describe Abilene Christian's loss to North Alabama than a letdown.

15. Central Arkansas (5-2) | Previous Ranking: 12 (Where I ranked them: 11)

Central Arkansas stays behind a team it lost to because its close call against West Georgia doesn't move the needle.

16. Rhode Island (5-1) | Previous Ranking: 19 (Where I ranked them: 17)

Rhode Island always plays in-state rival Brown close. If the Rams win next week, they might become a playoff lock.

17. Chattanooga (3-3) | Previous Ranking: 23 (Where I ranked them: 18)

Chattanooga has won three straight games.

18. William & Mary (4-2) | Previous Ranking: 17 (Where I ranked them: 19)

William & Mary had a bye last week.

19. Florida A&M (3-2) | Previous Ranking: NR (Where I ranked them: 20)

FAMU had a bye before it plays Jackson State.

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20. Duquesne (4-2) | Previous Ranking: NR (Where I ranked them: 24)

Duquesne is undefeated against the FCS and I don't see the Dukes losing anytime soon.

21. Richmond (4-2) | Previous Ranking: 21 (Where I ranked them: NR)

Richmond won four straight games entering its bye week. Its win over Elon, a common opponent for some teams in consideration for the bottom of the rankings lands it at No. 21.

22. North Carolina Central (5-2) | Previous Ranking: 25 (Where I ranked them: NR)

North Carolina Central blasted Virginia Lynchburg, and the Eagles have won four straight games. NCCU's only FCS loss came to Elon earlier this year.

23. Stony Brook (4-2) | Previous Ranking: NR (Where I ranked them: NR)

Stony Brook only has one FCS loss to a top-five Villanova team. The Seawolves return from a bye this week.

24. UT Martin (4-3) | Previous Ranking: NR (Where I ranked them: NR)

UT Martin has won three straight games since starting the season 1-3. The Skyhawks are trending upward and it's not out of the realm of possibility that they run the table.

25. Dartmouth (4-0) | Previous Ranking: NR (Where I ranked them: NR)

Dartmouth needed a crazy comeback to beat Yale, but a win is a win. Dartmouth is undefeated so far but at only 4-0 since its season starts later.

Who dropped out from last week's official rankings: Sacramento State (15), Illinois State (16), Weber State (20), Lamar (22), Northern Arizona (24)