FCS Top-25: Zach McKinnell's Week 10 Ballot

Zach McKinnell's Week 10 ballot for the FCS Stats Perform Top-25 after an exciting weekend of FCS football

I am honored to represent FCS Football Central as one of the 56 voters in the FCS Stats Perform Top-25 for the 2023 season. Each week I will release my official ballot and explain the biggest movers in our FCS Top 25 each week throughout the season.

Week 10 Top-25 Ballot

25. Central Arkansas (6-3)

Week 10: 27-14 win against North Alabama

24. Tarleton State (7-3)

Week 10: 59-17 win against Stephen F. Austin

23. Harvard (7-1)

Week 10: 38-24 win against Columbia

22. UT Martin (7-2)

Week 10: 44-41 win against Tennessee Tech

21. Mercer (7-3)

Week 10: 38-16 win against The Citadel

20. Chattanooga (7-3)

Week 10: 17-14 loss against No. 2 Furman

19. North Dakota (6-3)

Week 10: 45-13 win against Murray State

18. Austin Peay (7-2)

Week 10: 33-30 win against Eastern Kentucky

17. Florida A&M (8-1)

Week 10: 42-28 win against Alabama A&M

16. Western Carolina (6-3)

Week 10: 28-25 win against Wofford

15. Sacramento State (6-3)

Week 10: 34-7 loss against No. 4 Montana

14. North Dakota State (6-3)

Week 10: 33-16 loss to No. 1 South Dakota State

13. Southern Illinois (6-3)

Week 10: 14-7 loss against No. 9 South Dakota

12. Delaware (7-2)

Week 10: 33-27 loss against Elon

11. Villanova (7-2)

Week 10: 45-33 win against New Hampshire

10. Youngstown State (6-3)

Week 10: 19-7 win against Indiana State

9. Northern Iowa (6-3)

Week 10: 50-6 win against Western Illinois

8. UAlbany (7-3)

Week 10: 24-8 win against No. 24 William & Mary

7. North Carolina Central (8-1)

Week 10: 38-24 win against Norfolk State

6. South Dakota (7-2)

Week 10: 14-7 win against No. 10 Southern Illinois

5. Furman (8-1)

Week 10: 17-14 win against No. 14 Chattanooga

4. Montana State (7-2)

Week 10: 45-21 win against Northern Arizona

3. Idaho (7-2)

Week 10: 27-13 win against Northern Colorado

2. Montana (8-1)

Week 10: 34-7 win against No. 7 Sacramento State

1. South Dakota State (9-0)

Week 10: 33-16 win against No. 11 North Dakota State

Honorable Mentions: Incarnate Word (7-2), Holy Cross (6-3), Lafayette (7-2), Elon (5-4), Richmond (6-3)

Analysis On Week 10 Ballot

Dropped: Incarnate Word, Lafayette, Tennessee State
Added: Harvard, Tarleton State, Elon

Incarnate Word drops out of the Top 25 after a stunning loss to Nicholls State. The Cardinals now sit at 7-2 with zero ranked wins and only two wins over teams with a winning record. This team consistently moved down in my ballot due to unimpressive wins against inferior competition and now after a 13-point loss at home to Nicholls, Incarnate Word falls out of the rankings.

Tennessee State and Lafayette both move out of the rankings after disappointing upset losses this weekend. Lafayette lost an overtime battle against 3-5 Colgate despite leading 17-0 at halftime. Tennessee State struggled against 3-5 Charleston Southern, finishing the game with less than 270 yards of total offense. The Tigers have zero ranked wins and are eliminated from playoff contention with the loss.

Tarleton State moves into the rankings for the first time this season. The Texans are 6-2 against FCS competition, including a ranked win over Central Arkansas on the road two weeks ago. This team has now won three consecutive games and has a chance to end the season with eight wins for the first time since transitioning to the FCS level.

UAlbany makes their first appearance in the Top 10 after an impressive 24-8 win over No. 24 William & Mary. The Great Danes are 7-1 against FCS competition and have two competitive FBS losses to start the season. This team has two ranked wins on their resume and a Top-30 strength of schedule, which is why the Great Danes are starting to earn respect. If UAlbany wins the final two games on the schedule, do not be surprised if the Great Danes earn consideration for the No. 8 seed. 

Youngstown State and Northern Iowa also crack the Top 10 for the first time this season. I believe these two teams have much stronger resumes than some other top MVFC programs (SIU, NDSU, North Dakota). The Panthers have won six of the last seven games, including impressive ranked wins over Youngstown State and North Dakota. The Penguins are 6-2 against FCS opponents and have won four of the past five games, including a dominant win over Southern Illinois. Both teams also have a Top-20 strength of schedule, which gives these teams an advantage over some of the other teams fighting for a Top 10 ranking.

Villanova makes a jump to No. 11 as the Wildcats have won four consecutive games since a loss to UAlbany on Sep. 30. The Wildcats are 7-1 against FCS competition and have one ranked win on their resume. I give Villanova the advantage over Delaware due to a tougher strength of schedule and the Wildcats beat Elon 21-0, while the Blue Hens just lost to Elon this past weekend. 

There were no changes in the Top 5 after all five teams handled their business this past weekend. Montana looked impressive in a blowout victory over No. 7 Sacramento State. The Grizzlies are now 7-1 vs. the FCS and have three ranked wins, including two Top 10 wins over Idaho and Sacramento State. Idaho escaped with a 27-13 win over Northern Colorado and now sits at 7-2 overall with three ranked wins and a FBS win over Nevada. South Dakota State continued to look dominant in a 33-16 win over No. 11 North Dakota State. The Jackrabbits have four ranked wins and two wins over Top 10 opponents. Montana State picked up a 45-21 win over Northern Arizona as the Bobcats sit at 6-2 with two ranked wins on their resume. 

FCS Football Recap: Week 10 Takeaways