FCS Top-25: Zach McKinnell's Week 6 Ballot

Zach McKinnell's Week 6 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 6 Top-25 Ballot

25. Austin Peay (3-2)

Week 6: Bye Week

24. Chattanooga (4-2)

Week 6: 52-50 loss to No. 11 Western Carolina

23. North Dakota (3-2)

Week 6: 49-10 win against Western Illinois

22. William & Mary (4-2)

Week 6: 27-13 loss to Virginia

21. Florida A&M (5-1)

Week 6: 26-19 win against Southern

20. Central Arkansas (4-2)

Week 6: 38-33 win against Southeast Missouri State

19. Eastern Washington (2-3)

Week 6: Bye Week

18. Youngstown State (3-2)

Week 6: 31-3 win against No. 6 Southern Illinois

17. Holy Cross (4-2)

Week 6: 55-27 win against Bucknell

16. Montana (5-1)

Week 6: 31-23 win against No. 20 UC Davis

15. Incarnate Word (4-1)

Week 6: 33-26 win against Southeastern Louisiana

14. UT Martin (5-1)

Week 6: 28-27 win against Eastern Illinois

13. Southern Illinois (4-1)

Week 6: 31-3 loss to Youngstown State

12. UAlbany (4-2)

Week 6: 24-17 win against Towson

11. Harvard (4-0)

Week 6: 43-21 win against Cornell

10. Delaware (4-1)

Week 6: 43-17 win against Duquesne

9. North Carolina Central (5-1)

Week 6: 34-23 win against No. 25 Elon

8. North Dakota State (4-1)

Week 6: 38-10 win against Missouri State

7. South Dakota (4-1)

Week 6: 38-7 win against Murray State

6. Furman (4-1)

Week 6: 28-14 win against The Citadel

5. Sacramento State (4-1)

Week 6: Bye Week

4. Western Carolina (5-1)

Week 6: 52-50 win against No. 24 Chattanooga

3. Montana State (4-1)

Week 6: Bye Week

2. Idaho (5-1)

Week 6: 42-14 win against Cal Poly

1. South Dakota State (5-0)

Week 6: 40-21 win against Illinois State

Honorable Mentions: Villanova (4-2), Eastern Illinois (4-2), North Dakota (2-2), Northern Iowa (3-2), UC Davis (3-3), Rhode Island (4-2)

Analysis On Week 6 Ballot

Dropped: UC Davis, Elon, Eastern Kentucky

Added: Montana, Youngstown State, North Dakota

Youngstown State soared in this week's ballot after a dominant 31-3 win over No. 6 Southern Illinois. The Penguins dropped out of my rankings last week after a disappointing loss to Northern Iowa and that loss continues to limit the ceiling of this program. I need to see this team establish some consistency, starting with this weekend against South Dakota. Southern Illinois dropped to No. 13 but remains above Youngstown State due to having a much stronger resume. The Salukis have solid wins over Austin Peay, SEMO, and Northern Illinois. 

Montana returns to the rankings after an impressive road win over No. 20 UC Davis. The Grizzlies showed massive improvements offensively, including a solid performance from quarterback Clifton McDowell. This team will be tested as matchups against Idaho, Montana State, and Sacramento State still lie ahead. UC Davis dropped just outside the rankings after losing two of the last three games. The Aggies have struggled without running back Lan Larison and I question the true ceiling of this team until they get healthy again. 

Incarnate Word dropped to No. 15 after escaping with a 33-26 win over winless Southeastern Louisiana. The Cardinals are extremely talented but have not faced a true test this season and have failed to look impressive in wins against inferior opponents. As the Southland continues to struggle, this may be a team that will have to prove itself in the first two rounds of the FCS playoffs. 

North Carolina Central made a statement in a 34-23 road win over No. 25 Elon. The Eagles have won back-to-back games over CAA opponents and looked impressive against an Elon team that just defeated No. 5 William & Mary. Quarterback Davius Richard is one of the best quarterbacks in the subdivision and the defense continues to improve each week. The Eagles look primed to repeat as Celebration Bowl champions. 

UAlbany and UT Martin are two teams that I am higher on than most other voters at this point of the season. The Great Danes are one of three CAA teams unbeaten in conference play and are undefeated against FCS competition, including a 31-10 win over No. 16 Villanova last weekend. UT Martin is currently 5-0 against FCS opponents and won a competitive game against Eastern Illinois (No. 25 Coaches Poll) this weekend. The Skyhawks have greatly exceeded expectations and have taken full control of the Big South-OVC title race. 

North Dakota is a team that is full of potential but has not faced a true test outside of a 42-21 loss to No. 1 South Dakota State. A win over Northern Arizona continues to look better but wins over Drake and Western Illinois do not carry much weight. This weekend's matchup against North Dakota State will be an excellent measuring stick for where this team should be ranked.

FCS Football Recap: Week 6 Takeaways