The Missouri Valley Football Conference boasts an FCS-high seven top-25 teams in this week’s FCS Coaches Poll.
Reigning champion James Madison, of the Colonial Athletic Association, remains No. 1 after dominating Norfolk State 75-14 on Saturday.
The Missouri Valley Conference currently owns three of the top five slots in the coaches poll. North Dakota State, the only other team to receive a first-place vote, is ranked second, while South Dakota State and Youngstown State come in at No. 4 and No. 5, respectively.
North Dakota State did not play this weekend, while South Dakota State and Youngstown State each scored over 50 points in their victories. South Dakota State, powered by a 29-3 second quarter, topped Drake 51-10. Youngstown State, which didn’t allow a point until the third quarter, cruised to a 59-9 win over Central Connecticut.
Western Illinois (21), and Northern Iowa (24) remain in the top 25, while Illinois State and South Dakota continue to climb the ranks. The Coyotes of South Dakota, coming off a 45-7 victory over North Dakota, made the biggest leap in the poll, jumping nine spots from No. 23 to No. 14. Illinois State moved up two spots, No. 14 to No. 12, after taking down Eastern Illinois 44-13.
