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The first full week of the 2026 FCS football season brought plenty of changes to the national landscape, and the latest Redshirt Sports FCS Top 25 reflects it.
Montana State remains No. 1 in the latest Redshirt Sports FCS Top 25, but the opening week of the season produced plenty of movement throughout the rankings. View the full Redshirt Sports FCS Top 25 poll.
South Dakota State holds at No. 2, while Tarleton State climbs into the top four after another impressive performance. Illinois State, North Dakota and South Dakota also made significant moves, while Idaho State and Lamar were among the biggest risers of the week.
Three teams entered the rankings for the first time: West Florida, William & Mary and Campbell.
At the other end of the poll, Abilene Christian and Villanova suffered some of the biggest drops following difficult weeks.
There was little reason for voters to move Montana State from the top spot.
The Bobcats received all 25 first-place votes and finished with the maximum possible 625 points in the Redshirt Sports poll.
Montana State backed up its preseason standing with a 51-24 victory over Butler, continuing what has become one of the nation's longest winning streaks.
For now, there is little debate at the top. The bigger question is whether anyone can close the gap.
South Dakota State remains No. 2 with 579 points, giving the Jackrabbits a 46-point cushion over No. 3 Tarleton State.
One of the biggest storylines in this week's rankings is Tarleton State.
The Texans moved from No. 4 to No. 3, passing Montana after defeating Bowling Green 20-13.
Tarleton State entered the season with significant expectations after reaching the FCS quarterfinals last season, and its victory over an FBS opponent gives the Texans one of the strongest early résumés in the subdivision.
The jump also makes Tarleton State the highest-ranked team outside the traditional Montana State-South Dakota State conversation.
Illinois State climbed two spots to No. 5 after another strong start to the season.
The Redbirds earned 496 points, putting them comfortably ahead of No. 6 North Dakota.
North Dakota was another major beneficiary of Week 1, moving from No. 8 to No. 6 after a dominant 62-26 victory over St. Thomas.
The Fighting Hawks have now positioned themselves firmly among the leading contenders in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.
South Dakota also made a significant move, jumping five spots to No. 8 following its 38-23 victory over Northern Colorado.
South Dakota's move from No. 13 to No. 8 is the largest jump among teams that entered the week ranked in the Top 15.
The Coyotes received 427 points, narrowly trailing UC Davis for seventh.
The move gives the Dakota schools a strong presence near the top of the poll, with South Dakota State at No. 2, North Dakota at No. 6 and South Dakota at No. 8.
That could make the Missouri Valley one of the most important conferences to watch as the season progresses.
No team climbed more than Idaho State.
The Bengals moved from No. 23 to No. 14, a nine-spot jump that represents the biggest rise in the Redshirt Sports Top 25 this week.
Idaho State earned 290 points after opening the season with a statement win over Utah State.
The victory gives the Bengals one of the most impressive early-season results on the FCS résumé and pushed them ahead of several established programs in the national rankings.
Lamar was another major riser, jumping from No. 21 to No. 15.
The Cardinals earned 253 points and have quickly become one of the teams gaining momentum in the Southland Conference.
Lamar's six-spot climb puts the Cardinals ahead of several preseason favorites and gives the program a chance to establish itself as one of the FCS's most dangerous teams as conference play approaches.
The newest program in the rankings is also one of the most intriguing.
West Florida enters the Redshirt Sports FCS Top 25 at No. 16, receiving 216 points in its first appearance.
The Argonauts made their case with an impressive start to the season and now find themselves ranked ahead of several established FCS programs.
Their arrival gives the United Athletic Conference another nationally ranked team and adds another layer to what is becoming a fascinating race at the top of the conference.
West Florida wasn't the only newcomer.
William & Mary enters at No. 18, while Campbell debuts at No. 25.
William & Mary has already demonstrated that it belongs in the national conversation after its strong opening stretch, and the Tribe's arrival gives the Patriot League another ranked program alongside Lehigh.
Campbell, meanwhile, enters the poll after earning 49 points from voters.
The Camels are one of three teams receiving their first Top 25 ranking this week, giving the bottom of the poll a distinctly different look.
While several teams surged up the rankings, a few went sharply in the opposite direction.
Abilene Christian suffered the largest drop among teams remaining in the poll, falling nine spots from No. 14 to No. 23.
Villanova experienced an even larger slide, dropping 15 spots from No. 9 to No. 24.
Both teams remain ranked, but the Week 1 results clearly changed the way voters view their postseason outlook.
Yale also dropped two spots to No. 19, while Mercer fell two spots to No. 22.
Three teams dropped out of the Redshirt Sports Top 25 this week.
Southern Illinois, which was ranked No. 16 in the Redshirt Sports Preseason FCS Top 25, fell out of the poll and received 23 points in the voting.
Southeastern Louisiana also dropped out after being ranked No. 19, although the Lions remained on the receiving-votes list with four points.
Monmouth fell from No. 25 and received three points.
Southern Illinois remains particularly close to returning, sitting just outside the Top 25.
Several teams are knocking on the door.
Southern Utah received 46 points, while Alabama State earned 44. Harvard received 25 points, followed by Southern Illinois with 23.
Prairie View A&M, Wofford, Cal Poly, UTRGV, Richmond and Houston Christian also received votes.
The depth of the receiving-votes list suggests that the bottom half of the rankings could look considerably different again next week.
