Overview
Since 1950, the AFCA has conducted a weekly Top 20/Top 25 poll during the college football season. The AFCA awards the AFCA Coaches’ Trophy to the No. 1-ranked team in the final FBS Coaches Poll each season. The head coach of the No. 1-ranked team receives the trophy at the American Football Coaches Awards show in early January.
Format
The FBS Coaches Poll is conducted weekly throughout the regular season using a panel of head coaches at FBS schools. The panel is chosen by random draw, conference by conference plus independents, from a pool of coaches who have indicated to the AFCA their willingness to participate. Each coach submits a Top 25 with a first-place vote worth 25 points, second place 24, and so on down to one point for 25th.
The US LBM / USA TODAY Sports AFCA Board of Coaches is 66 head coaches at Bowl Subdivision schools. All are members of the American Football Coaches Association.
- 1950
- Oklahoma
- Bud Wilkinson
- 1951
- Tennessee
- Robert Neyland
- 1952
- Michigan State
- Biggie Munn
- 1953
- Maryland
- Jim Tatum
- 1954
- UCLA
- Red Sanders
- 1955
- Oklahoma
- Bud Wilkinson
- 1956
- Oklahoma
- Bud Wilkinson
- 1957
- Ohio State
- Woody Hayes
- 1958
- LSU
- Paul Dietzel
- 1959
- Syracuse
- Ben Schwartzwalder
- 1960
- Minnesota
- Murray Warmath
- 1961
- Alabama
- Bear Bryant
- 1962
- USC
- John McKay
- 1963
- Texas
- Darrell Royal
- 1964
- Alabama
- Bear Bryant
- 1965
- Michigan State
- Duffy Daugherty
- 1966
- Notre Dame
- Ara Parseghian
- 1967
- USC
- John McKay
- 1968
- Ohio State
- Woody Hayes
- 1969
- Texas
- Darrell Royal
- 1970
- Texas
- Darrell Royal
- 1971
- Nebraska
- Bob Devaney
- 1972
- USC
- John McKay
- 1973
- Alabama
- Bear Bryant
- 1974
- USC
- John McKay
- 1975
- Oklahoma
- Barry Switzer
- 1976
- Pittsburgh
- Johnny Majors
- 1977
- Notre Dame
- Dan Devine
- 1978
- USC
- John Robinson
- 1979
- Alabama
- Bear Bryant
- 1980
- Georgia
- Vince Dooley
- 1981
- Clemson
- Danny Ford
- 1982
- Penn State
- Joe Paterno
- 1983
- Miami (FL)
- Howard Schnellenberger
- 1984
- BYU
- LaVell Edwards
- 1985
- Oklahoma
- Barry Switzer
- 1986
- Penn State
- Joe Paterno
- 1987
- Miami (FL)
- Jimmy Johnson
- 1988
- Notre Dame
- Lou Holtz
- 1989
- Miami (FL)
- Dennis Erickson
- 1990
- Georgia Tech
- Bobby Ross
- 1991
- Washington
- Don James
- 1992
- Alabama
- Gene Stallings
- 1993
- Florida State
- Bobby Bowden
- 1994
- Nebraska
- Tom Osborne
- 1995
- Nebraska
- Tom Osborne
- 1996
- Florida
- Steve Spurrier
- 1997
- Nebraska
- Tom Osborne
- 1998
- Tennessee
- Phil Fulmer
- 1999
- Florida State
- Bobby Bowden
- 2000
- Oklahoma
- Bob Stoops
- 2001
- Miami (FL)
- Larry Coker
- 2002
- Ohio State
- Jim Tressel
- 2003
- LSU
- Nick Saban
- 2004
- USC
- Pete Carroll
- 2005
- Texas
- Mack Brown
- 2006
- Florida
- Urban Meyer
- 2007
- LSU
- Les Miles
- 2008
- Florida
- Urban Meyer
- 2009
- Alabama
- Nick Saban
- 2010
- Auburn
- Gene Chizik
- 2011
- Alabama
- Nick Saban
- 2012
- Alabama
- Nick Saban
- 2013
- Florida State
- Jimbo Fisher
- 2014
- Ohio State
- Urban Meyer
- 2015
- Alabama
- Nick Saban
- 2016
- Clemson
- Dabo Swinney
- 2017
- Alabama
- Nick Saban
- 2018
- Clemson
- Dabo Swinney
- 2019
- LSU
- Ed Orgeron
- 2020
- Alabama
- Nick Saban
- 2021
- Georgia
- Kirby Smart
- 2022
- Georgia
- Kirby Smart
| Rank | School (1st votes) | Pts. | Prev. | Rec. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgia (62) | 1,598 | 1 | 3-0 | |
| 2 | Michigan (1) | 1,514 | 2 | 3-0 | |
| 3 | Florida State | 1,396 | 3 | 3-0 | |
| 4 | Ohio State (1) | 1,394 | 4 | 3-0 | |
| 5 | Southern California | 1,325 | 5 | 3-0 | |
| 6 | Texas | 1,312 | 6 | 3-0 | |
| 7 | Penn State | 1,224 | 7 | 3-0 | |
| 8 | Washington | 1,164 | 8 | 3-0 | |
| 9 | Notre Dame | 1,044 | 11 | 4-0 | |
| 10 | Utah | 967 | 12 | 3-0 | |
| 11 | Oregon | 946 | 13 | 3-0 | |
| 12 | Alabama | 886 | 10 | 2-1 | |
| 13 | LSU | 808 | 14 | 2-1 | |
| 14 | Oklahoma | 683 | 16 | 3-0 | |
| 15 | Oregon State | 660 | 17 | 3-0 | |
| 16 | Mississippi | 602 | 19 | 3-0 | |
| 17 | North Carolina | 592 | 18 | 3-0 | |
| 18 | Duke | 469 | 20 | 3-0 | |
| 19 | Colorado | 435 | 21 | 3-0 | |
| 20 | Tennessee | 362 | 9 | 2-1 | |
| 21 | Miami (Fla.) | 298 | 23 | 3-0 | |
| 22 | Iowa | 206 | 24 | 3-0 | |
| 23 | Clemson | 193 | 22 | 2-1 | |
| 24 | Washington State | 160 | NR | 3-0 | |
| 25 | UCLA | 156 | 25 | 3-0 |
Dropped out: No. 15 Kansas State (2-1).
Others Receiving Votes:
Kansas State (2-1) 114; Missouri (3-0) 44; Fresno State (3-0) 43; Florida (2-1) 41; TCU (2-1) 26; Kentucky (3-0) 28; Maryland (3-0) 19; Kansas (3-0) 17; Auburn (3-0) 16; Texas A&M (2-1) 11; Syracuse (3-0) 10; Air Force (3-0) 9; Tulane (2-1) 7; Central Florida (3-0) 5; James Madison (3-0) 3; Ohio (3-1) 3; Wyoming (2-1) 3; Louisville (3-0) 2; Wake Forest (3-0) 2; Arkansas (2-1) 1, Brigham Young (3-0) 1; Memphis (3-0) 1.
| Rank | School (1st votes) | Pts. | Prev. | Rec. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgia (64) | 1,624 | 1 | 2-0 | |
| 2 | Michigan (1) | 1,533 | 2 | 2-0 | |
| 3 | Florida State | 1,441 | 5 | 2-0 | |
| 4 | Ohio State | 1,401 | 4 | 2-0 | |
| 5 | Southern California | 1,319 | 6 | 3-0 | |
| 6 | Texas | 1,318 | 10 | 2-0 | |
| 7 | Penn State | 1,229 | 7 | 2-0 | |
| 8 | Washington | 1,129 | 8 | 2-0 | |
| 9 | Tennessee | 1,039 | 9 | 2-0 | |
| 10 | Alabama | 1,016 | 3 | 1-1 | |
| 11 | Notre Dame | 1,004 | 11 | 3-0 | |
| 12 | Utah | 893 | 12 | 2-0 | |
| 13 | Oregon | 870 | 13 | 2-0 | |
| 14 | LSU | 714 | 14 | 1-1 | |
| 15 | Kansas State | 675 | 15 | 2-0 | |
| 16 | Oklahoma | 584 | 17 | 2-0 | |
| 17 | Oregon State | 562 | 18 | 2-0 | |
| 18 | North Carolina | 506 | 16 | 2-0 | |
| 19 | Mississippi | 503 | 20 | 2-0 | |
| 20 | Duke | 363 | 24 | 2-0 | |
| 21 | Colorado | 357 | 25 | 2-0 | |
| 22 | Clemson | 207 | 21 | 1-1 | |
| 23 | Miami (Fla.) | 195 | NR | 2-0 | |
| 24 | Iowa | 166 | NR | 2-0 | |
| 25 | UCLA | 101 | NR | 2-0 |
Dropped out: No. 19 Wisconsin (1-1); No. 22 Tulane (1-1); No. 23 Texas A&M (1-1).
Others receiving votes: Washington State (2-0) 80; Kentucky (2-0) 38; TCU (1-1) 26; Auburn (2-0) 23; Texas A&M (1-1) 21; Fresno State (2-0) 21; Kansas (2-0) 17; Tulane (1-1) 16; Missouri (2-0) 14; Maryland (2-0) 14; Wake Forest (2-0) 13; Oklahoma State (2-0) 12; Central Florida (2-0) 11; Arkansas (2-0) 10; Syracuse (2-0) 9; Cincinnati (2-0) 8; Wisconsin (1-1) 7; Mississippi State (2-0) 7; Wyoming (2-0) 6; Minnesota (2-0) 6; Air Force (2-0) 5; Louisville (2-0) 3; South Carolina (1-1) 3; Memphis (2-0) 3; James Madison (2-0) 2; Michigan State (2-0) 1.
| Rank | School (1st votes) | Pts. | Prev. | Rec. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgia (63) | 1,647 | 1 | 1-0 | |
| 2 | Michigan (1) | 1,534 | 2 | 1-0 | |
| 3 | Alabama (2) | 1,515 | 3 | 1-0 | |
| 4 | Ohio State | 1,422 | 4 | 1-0 | |
| 5 | Florida State | 1,388 | 8 | 1-0 | |
| 6 | USC | 1,283 | 6 | 2-0 | |
| 7 | Penn State | 1,216 | 7 | 1-0 | |
| 8 | Washington | 1,115 | 11 | 1-0 | |
| 9 | Tennessee | 1,099 | 10 | 1-0 | |
| 10 | Texas | 957 | 12 | 1-0 | |
| 11 | Notre Dame | 950 | 13 | 2-0 | |
| 12 | Utah | 924 | 14 | 1-0 | |
| 13 | Oregon | 904 | 15 | 1-0 | |
| 14 | LSU | 738 | 5 | 0-1 | |
| 15 | Kansas State | 630 | 17 | 1-0 | |
| 16 | North Carolina | 546 | 20 | 1-0 | |
| 17 | Oklahoma | 543 | 19 | 1-0 | |
| 18 | Oregon State | 499 | 18 | 1-0 | |
| 19 | Wisconsin | 445 | 21 | 1-0 | |
| 20 | Ole Miss | 411 | 22 | 1-0 | |
| 21 | Clemson | 287 | 9 | 0-1 | |
| 22 | Tulane | 255 | 23 | 1-0 | |
| 23 | Texas A&M | 236 | 25 | 1-0 | |
| 24 | Duke | 222 | NR | 1-0 | |
| 25 | Colorado | 161 | NR | 1-0 |
Dropped out: No. 16 TCU (0-1); No. 24 Texas Tech (0-1).
Others receiving Votes: Iowa (1-0) 111; Pittsburgh (1-0) 53; Kentucky (1-0) 50; UCLA (1-0) 44; TCU (0-1) 40; Fresno State (1-0) 30; Miami (Fla.) (1-0) 22; Auburn (1-0) 22; Arkansas (1-0) 18; Maryland (1-0) 14; Missouri (1-0) 13; Troy (1-0) 11; Oklahoma State (1-0) 11; North Carolina State (1-0) 10; Illinois (1-0) 9; Wyoming (1-0) 8; Washington State (1-0) 7; Wake Forest (1-0) 7; Air Force (1-0) 7; Minnesota (1-0) 6; Mississippi State (1-0) 5; South Carolina (0-1) 4; Kansas (1-0) 4; Texas Tech (0-1) 3; SMU (0-1) 3; Central Florida (1-0) 3; Houston (1-0) 2; Texas-San Antonio (0-1) 1; Michigan State (1-0) 1; Memphis (1-0) 1; Louisville (1-0) 1; James Madison (1-0) 1; Arizona (1-0) 1.
| Rank | School (1st votes) | Pts. | Prev. | Rec. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgia (61) | 1,643 | 1 | 0-0 |
| 2 | Michigan | 1,510 | 3 | 0-0 |
| 3 | Alabama (4) | 1,489 | 5 | 0-0 |
| 4 | Ohio State (1) | 1,485 | 4 | 0-0 |
| 5 | LSU | 1,294 | 15 | 0-0 |
| 6 | USC | 1,228 | 13 | 0-0 |
| 7 | Penn State | 1,181 | 7 | 0-0 |
| 8 | Florida State | 1,145 | 10 | 0-0 |
| 9 | Clemson | 1,078 | 12 | 0-0 |
| 10 | Tennessee | 991 | 6 | 0-0 |
| 11 | Washington | 941 | 8 | 0-0 |
| 12 | Texas | 848 | 25 | 0-0 |
| 13 | Notre Dame | 841 | 18 | 0-0 |
| 14 | Utah | 839 | 11 | 0-0 |
| 15 | Oregon | 820 | 16 | 0-0 |
| 16 | TCU | 655 | 2 | 0-0 |
| 17 | Kansas State | 440 | 14 | 0-0 |
| 18 | Oregon State | 365 | 17 | 0-0 |
| 19 | Oklahoma | 320 | NR | 0-0 |
| 20 | North Carolina | 315 | NR | 0-0 |
| 21 | Wisconsin | 309 | NR | 0-0 |
| 22 | Mississippi | 303 | NR | 0-0 |
| 23 | Tulane | 225 | 9 | 0-0 |
| 24 | Texas Tech | 200 | NR | 0-0 |
| 25 | Texas A&M | 196 | NR | 0-0 |
Others Receiving Votes: Iowa (8-5) 169; South Carolina (8-5) 89; Florida (6-7) 63; Texas-San Antonio (11-3) 59; Pittsburgh (9-4) 52; UCLA (9-4) 42; Kentucky (7-6) 34; Baylor (6-7) 28; Troy (12-2) 25; Arkansas (7-6) 20; Fresno State (10-4) 19; North Carolina State (8-5) 19; Auburn (5-7) 18; Boise State (10-4) 18; Miami (Fla.) (5-7) 16; Minnesota (9-4) 16; Mississippi State (9-4) 13; Oklahoma State (7-6) 12; Missouri (6-7) 11; Maryland (8-5) 10; SMU (7-6) 8; South Alabama (10-3) 8; Illinois (8-5) 7; Air Force (10-3) 6; Wake Forest (8-5) 6; Toledo (9-5) 5; Washington State (7-6) 4; Houston (8-5) 3; Arizona (5-7) 2; Brigham Young (8-5) 2; Duke (9-4) 2; James Madison (8-3) 1; Kansas (6-7) 1; Memphis (7-6) 1.
Overview
In response to overwhelming support by NCAA FCS coaches, the American Football Coaches Association began publishing a FCS Top 25 Coaches’ Poll in 2018. Prior to 2018, the NCAA FCS Coaches Poll was administered by the Southern Conference. The regional poll had been used to rank teams for consideration for the NCAA playoffs.
Format
The FCS poll follows the same basic format as the Amway Coaches Poll. The FCS Board of Coaches will have 30 voters representing all FCS football playing conferences, as well as independent schools. The FCS Coaches’ Poll will be released on Mondays beginning with a preseason poll in August and will run through the final week of the regular season in November. A final poll will be released the Monday following the NCAA FCS championship game.
| Rank | School (1st votes) | Rec. | Pts. | Prev. | Week 3 | Next Game | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Dakota St. (26) | 3-0 | 650 | 1 | D. Drake, 70-7 | Sept. 30 vs. No. 14 North Dakota | |
| 2 | North Dakota St. | 3-0 | 624 | 2 | D. Central Arkansas, 49-31 | Sept. 30 vs. South Dakota | |
| 3 | Montana St. | 2-1 | 580 | 3 | D. Stetson, 57-20 | Sept. 23 at No. 8 Weber St. | |
| 4 | Sacramento St. | 3-0 | 556 | 6 | D. Stanford, 30-23 | Sept. 23 at No. 10 Idaho | |
| 5 | William & Mary | 3-0 | 549 | 4 | D. Charleston Southern, 15-7 | Sept. 23 vs. Maine | |
| 6 | Holy Cross | 2-1 | 531 | 5 | D. Yale, 49-24 | Sept. 23 vs. Colgate | |
| 7 | Furman | 2-1 | 449 | 8 | D. Kennesaw St., 31-28 | Sept. 23 vs. No. 21 Mercer | |
| 8 | Weber St. | 2-1 | 435 | 7 | Lost to Utah, 31-7 | Sept. 23 vs. No. 3 Montana St. | |
| 9 | UIW | 2-1 | 421 | 9 | D. Abilene Christian, 27-20 | Sept. 23 vs. North American | |
| 10 | Idaho | 2-1 | 375 | 10 | Lost to California, 31-17 | Sept. 23 vs. No. 4 Sacramento St. | |
| 11 | Montana | 3-0 | 353 | 11t | D. Ferris St., 17-10 | Sept. 23 at Northern Arizona | |
| 12 | New Hampshire | 2-1 | 349 | 11t | D. Dartmouth, 24-7 | Sept. 23 at No. 16 Delaware | |
| 13 | Southern Illinois | 3-0 | 331 | 18 | D. No. 15 Southeast Missouri St., 26-25 | Sept. 30 vs. Missouri St. | |
| 14 | North Dakota | 2-1 | 296 | 13 | Lost to Boise State, 42-18 | Sept. 30 at No. 1 South Dakota St. | |
| 15 | UC Davis | 2-1 | 275 | 16 | D. Southern Utah, 23-21 | Sept. 23 vs. Eastern Washington | |
| 16 | Delaware | 2-1 | 222 | 19 | D. St. Francis (Pa.), 42-14 | Sept. 23 vs. No. 12 New Hampshire | |
| 17 | Samford | 1-2 | 212 | 14 | Lost to Auburn, 45-13 | Sept. 23 vs. Chattanooga | |
| 18 | Rhode Island | 2-1 | 211 | 20 | D. Maine, 34-17 | Sept. 23 at Villanova | |
| 19 | North Carolina Central | 2-1 | 159 | 17 | Lost to UCLA, 59-7 | Sept. 23 vs. Mississippi Valley St. | |
| 20 | Southeast Missouri St. | 1-2 | 153 | 15 | Lost to No. 18 Southern Illinois, 26-25 | Sept. 23 at Eastern Kentucky | |
| 21 | Mercer | 2-1 | 150 | 21 | Idle | Sept. 23 at No. 7 Furman | |
| 22 | Fordham | 2-1 | 133 | 22t | Idle | Sept. 23 vs. Stonehill | |
| 23 | Florida A&M | 2-1 | 121 | 24 | D. West Florida, 31-10 | Sept. 23 vs. Alabama St. | |
| 24 | Youngstown St. | 2-1 | 98 | NR | D. Robert Morris (Pa.), 48-28 | Sept. 30 at Northern Iowa | |
| 25 | Harvard | 1-0 | 42 | NR | D. St. Thomas (Minn.), 45-13 | Sept. 22 vs. Brown |
Dropped Out: Southeastern Louisiana (22t), Illinois St. (25)
Others Receiving Votes: Northern Iowa, 30; Western Carolina, 26; Princeton, 20; Eastern Washington, 19; Chattanooga, 13; Central Arkansas, 10; Illinois St., 9; Austin Peay, 8; Jackson St., 7; Stephen F. Austin, 7; Yale, 7; Eastern Kentucky, 5; Hampton, 5; Richmond, 4; Villanova, 4; Southeastern Louisiana, 1.
| Rank | School (1st votes) | Rec. | Pts. | Prev. | Week 2 | Next Game | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Dakota St. (26) | 2-0 | 650 | 1 | D. No. 3 Montana St., 20-16 | Sept. 16 vs. Drake | |
| 2 | North Dakota St. | 2-0 | 624 | 2 | D. Maine, 44-7 | Sept. 16 vs. Central Arkansas | |
| 3 | Montana St. | 1-1 | 555 | 3 | Lost to No. 1 South Dakota St., 20-16 | Sept. 16 vs. Stetson | |
| 4 | William & Mary | 2-0 | 545 | 4 | D. Wofford, 23-6 | Sept. 16 at Charleston Southern | |
| 5 | Holy Cross | 1-1 | 523 | 5 | Lost to Boston College, 31-28 | Sept. 16 at Yale | |
| 6 | Sacramento St. | 2-0 | 500 | 8 | D. Texas A&M-Commerce, 34-6 | Sept. 16 at Stanford | |
| 7 | Weber St. | 2-0 | 486 | 9 | D. No. 20 Northern Iowa, 34-17 | Sept. 16 at Utah | |
| 8 | Furman | 1-1 | 445 | 6 | Lost to South Carolina, 47-21 | Sept. 16 at Kennesaw St. | |
| 9 | UIW | 1-1 | 424 | 10 | D. Northern Colorado, 42-7 | Sept. 16 at Abilene Christian | |
| 10 | Idaho | 2-0 | 393 | 12 | D. Nevada, 33-6 | Sept. 16 at California | |
| 11t. | Montana | 2-0 | 343 | 13 | D. Utah Tech, 43-13 | Sept. 16 vs. Ferris St. | |
| 11t. | New Hampshire | 1-1 | 343 | 11 | Lost to Central Michigan, 45-42 | Sept. 16 vs. Dartmouth | |
| 13 | North Dakota | 2-0 | 329 | 15 | D. Northern Arizona, 37-22 | Sept. 16 at Boise State | |
| 14 | Samford | 1-1 | 289 | 7 | Lost to Western Carolina, 30-7 | Sept. 16 at Auburn | |
| 15 | Southeast Missouri St. | 1-1 | 287 | 16 | D. Lindenwood, 45-7 | Sept. 16 vs. No. 18 Southern Illinois | |
| 16 | UC Davis | 1-1 | 241 | 14 | Lost to Oregon St., 55-7 | Sept. 16 vs. Southern Utah | |
| 17 | North Carolina Central | 2-0 | 239 | 18 | D. North Carolina A&T, 30-16 | Sept. 16 at UCLA | |
| 18 | Southern Illinois | 2-0 | 214 | 23 | D. Northern Illinois, 14-11 | Sept. 16 at No. 15 Southeast Missouri St. | |
| 19 | Delaware | 1-1 | 161 | 19 | Lost to Penn St., 63-7 | Sept. 16 vs. St. Francis (Pa.) | |
| 20 | Rhode Island | 1-1 | 159 | 22 | D. Stony Brook, 35-14 | Sept. 16 at Maine | |
| 21 | Mercer | 2-1 | 114 | 24 | D. Morehead St., 48-22 | Sept. 23 at No. 8 Furman | |
| 22t. | Fordham | 2-1 | 97 | NR | D. Buffalo, 40-37 | Sept. 23 vs. Stonehill | |
| 22t. | Southeastern Louisiana | 0-2 | 97 | 17 | Lost to South Alabama, 35-17 | Sept. 16 at Eastern Washington | |
| 24 | Florida A&M | 1-1 | 91 | 21 | Lost to South Florida, 38-24 | Sept. 16 vs. West Florida | |
| 25 | Illinois St. | 2-0 | 50 | NR | D. Western Illinois, 34-18 | Sept. 16 at Eastern Illinois |
Dropped Out: Northern Iowa (20), Youngstown St. (25)
Others Receiving Votes: Northern Iowa, 45; Youngstown St., 39; Yale, 29; Gardner-Webb, 25; Central Arkansas, 17; Richmond, 17; Jackson St., 15; Murray St., 14; Harvard, 10; Eastern Kentucky, 9; Princeton, 9; Villanova, 5; Western Carolina, 5; St. Thomas (Minn.), 4; Stephen F. Austin, 3; Austin Peay, 2; Chattanooga, 1; Morgan St., 1; Tarleton, 1.`
| Rank | School (1st votes) | Rec. | Pts. | Prev. | Week 1 | Next Game | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Dakota St. (25) | 1-0 | 625 | 1 | D. Western Oregon, 45-7 | Sept. 9 vs. No. 3 Montana St. | |
| 2 | North Dakota St. | 1-0 | 599 | 2 | D. Eastern Washington, 35-10 | Sept. 9 vs. Maine | |
| 3 | Montana St. | 1-0 | 573 | 3 | D. Utah Tech, 63-20 | Sept. 9 at No. 1 South Dakota St. | |
| 4 | William & Mary | 1-0 | 524 | 4 | D. Campbell, 34-24 | Sept. 9 vs. Wofford | |
| 5 | Holy Cross | 1-0 | 503 | 5 | D. Merrimack, 42-20 | Sept. 9 at Boston College | |
| 6 | Furman | 1-0 | 500 | 6 | D. Tennessee Tech, 45-10 | Sept. 9 at South Carolina | |
| 7 | Samford | 1-0 | 449 | 9 | D. Shorter, 69-14 | Sept. 9 at Western Carolina | |
| 8 | Sacramento St. | 1-0 | 444 | 8 | D. Nicholls, 38-24 | Sept. 9 vs. Texas A&M-Commerce | |
| 9 | Weber St. | 1-0 | 388 | 10 | D. Central Washington, 35-10 | Sept. 9 at No. 20 Northern Iowa | |
| 10 | UIW | 0-1 | 376 | 7 | Lost to UTEP, 28-14 | Sept. 9 at Northern Colorado | |
| 11 | New Hampshire | 1-0 | 346 | 12 | D. Stonehill, 51-17 | Sept. 9 at Central Michigan | |
| 12 | Idaho | 1-0 | 334 | 13 | D. Lamar, 42-17 | Sept. 9 at Nevada | |
| 13 | Montana | 1-0 | 293 | 14 | D. Butler, 35-20 | Sept. 9 at Utah Tech | |
| 14 | UC Davis | 1-0 | 286 | 17 | D. Texas A&M-Commerce, 48-10 | Sept. 9 at Oregon St. | |
| 15 | North Dakota | 1-0 | 258 | 18 | D. Drake, 55-7 | Sept. 9 vs. Northern Arizona | |
| 16 | Southeast Missouri St. | 0-1 | 238 | 11 | Lost to Kansas St., 45-0 | Sept. 9 vs. Lindenwood | |
| 17 | Southeastern Louisiana | 0-1 | 224 | 15 | Lost to Mississippi St., 48-7 | Sept. 9 at South Alabama | |
| 18 | North Carolina Central | 1-0 | 191 | 19 | D. Winston-Salem St., 47-21 | Sept. 9 at North Carolina A&T | |
| 19 | Delaware | 1-0 | 181 | 21 | D. Stony Brook, 37-13 | Sept. 9 at Penn St. | |
| 20 | Northern Iowa | 0-1 | 127 | 20 | Lost to Iowa St., 30-9 | Sept. 9 vs. No. 9 Weber St. | |
| 21 | Florida A&M | 1-0 | 124 | 25 | D. Jackson St., 28-10 | Sept. 9 at South Florida | |
| 22 | Rhode Island | 0-1 | 65 | 23 | Lost to Georgia St., 42-35 | Sept. 8 vs. Stony Brook | |
| 23 | Southern Illinois | 1-0 | 64 | NR | D. Austin Peay, 49-23 | Sept. 9 at Northern Illinois | |
| 24 | Mercer | 1-1 | 62 | 22 | Lost to Mississippi, 73-7 | Sept. 9 vs. Morehead St. | |
| 25 | Youngstown St. | 1-0 | 58 | NR | D. Valparaiso, 52-10 | Sept. 9 at Ohio St. |
Dropped Out: Richmond (16), Gardner-Webb (24)
Others Receiving Votes: Richmond, 50; Fordham, 41; Gardner-Webb, 32; Yale, 30; Illinois St., 21; St. Thomas (Minn.), 19; Central Arkansas, 16; North Carolina A&T, 14; Eastern Kentucky, 12; Morgan St., 12; Northern Arizona, 12; Princeton, 11; Harvard, 7; Jackson St., 5; Elon, 4; Hampton, 4; Campbell, 1; Southern Utah, 1; Stephen F. Austin, 1.
| Rank | School (1st votes) | 2022 Rec. | Pts. | 2022 Rank | Season Opener | Head Coach | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Dakota St. (24) | 14-1 | 624 | 1 | Aug. 31 vs. Western Oregon | Jimmy Rogers | |
| 2 | North Dakota St. (1) | 12-3 | 596 | 2 | Sept. 2 vs. Eastern Washington | Matt Entz | |
| 3 | Montana St. | 12-2 | 567 | 5 | Sept. 2 vs. Utah Tech | Brent Vigen | |
| 4 | William & Mary | 11-2 | 510 | 8 | Aug. 31 at Campbell | Mike London | |
| 5 | Holy Cross | 12-1 | 459 | 6 | Sept. 2 vs. Merrimack | Bob Chesney | |
| 6 | Furman | 10-3 | 438 | 10 | Aug. 31 vs. Tennessee Tech | Clay Hendrix | |
| 7 | UIW | 12-2 | 424 | 3 | Sept. 2 at UTEP | Clint Killough | |
| 8 | Sacramento St. | 12-1 | 421 | 4 | Aug. 31 at Nicholls St. | Andy Thompson | |
| 9 | Samford | 11-2 | 414 | 7 | Aug. 31 vs. Shorter | Chris Hatcher | |
| 10 | Weber St. | 10-3 | 325 | 9 | Aug. 31 vs. Central Washington | Mickey Mental | |
| 11 | Southeast Missouri St. | 9-3 | 322 | 13 | Sept. 2 at Kansas St. | Tom Matukewicz | |
| 12 | New Hampshire | 9-4 | 304 | 15 | Sept. 2 at Stonehill | Rick Santos | |
| 13 | Idaho | 7-5 | 288 | 22 | Aug. 31 at Lamar | Jason Eck | |
| 14 | Montana | 8-5 | 285 | 14 | Sept. 2 vs. Butler | Bobby Hauck | |
| 15 | Southeastern Louisiana | 9-4 | 259 | 19 | Sept. 2 at Mississippi St. | Frank Scelfo | |
| 16 | Richmond | 9-4 | 235 | 12 | Sept. 2 vs. Morgan St. | Russ Huesman | |
| 17 | UC Davis | 6-5 | 226 | NR | Aug. 31 at Texas A&M-Commerce | Dan Hawkins | |
| 18 | North Dakota | 7-5 | 188 | NR | Sept. 2 vs. Drake | Bubba Schweigert | |
| 19 | North Carolina Central | 10-2 | 139 | 17 | Sept. 2 vs. Winston-Salem St. | Trei Oliver | |
| 20 | Northern Iowa | 6-5 | 137 | NR | Sept. 2 at Iowa St. | Mark Farley | |
| 21 | Delaware | 8-5 | 124 | 24t | Aug. 31 at Stony Brook | Ryan Carty | |
| 22 | Mercer | 7-4 | 123 | 21 | Aug. 26 vs. North Alabama | Drew Cronic | |
| 23 | Rhode Island | 7-4 | 73 | NR | Aug. 31 at Georgia St. | Jim Fleming | |
| 24 | Gardner-Webb | 7-6 | 72 | NR | Sept. 2 at Appalachian St. | Tre Lamb | |
| 25 | Florida A&M | 9-2 | 70 | 23 | Sept. 3 vs. Jackson St. | Willie Simmons |
Others Receiving Votes: Yale, 64; Eastern Kentucky, 59; Fordham, 58; Jackson St., 37; Elon, 30; St. Thomas (Minn.), 30; Youngstown St., 28; Princeton, 26; Southern Illinois, 26; UT Martin, 23; Central Arkansas, 22; Chattanooga, 13; North Carolina A&T, 13; Illinois St., 12; Northern Arizona, 12; Southern, 9; Davidson, 7; St. Francis (Pa.), 7; Tennessee Tech, 6; Howard, 5; Pennsylvania, 5; Abilene Christian, 4; Austin Peay, 3; Campbell, 2; Villanova, 1.
Overview
In response to overwhelming support by NCAA Division II coaches, the American Football Coaches Association began publishing a Division II Top 25 Coaches’ Poll in 2000. Prior to 2000, there was no coaches’ polls for NCAA Division II. The regional poll had been used to rank teams for consideration for the NCAA playoffs.
Format
The Division II poll follows the same basic format as the Amway Coaches Poll. The Division II Board of Coaches will have 30 voters representing all Division II conferences, as well as independent schools. The Division II Coaches’ Poll will be released on Mondays beginning with a preseason poll in August and will run through the final week of the regular season in November. A final poll will be released the Monday following the NCAA Division II championship game.
| Rank | School (1st votes) | Rec. | Pts. | Prev. | Week 3 | Next Game | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ferris St. (Mich.) (23) | 2-1 | 740 | 1 | Lost to Montana, 17-10 | Sept. 30 vs. Northern Michigan | |
| 2 | Colorado School of Mines (7) | 3-0 | 726 | 2 | D. Adams St. (Colo.), 70-7 | Sept. 23 at Colorado St.-Pueblo | |
| 3 | Pittsburg St. (Kan.) | 3-0 | 687 | 3 | D. Central Missouri, 38-37 | Sept. 23 vs. Nebraska-Kearney | |
| 4 | Ouachita Baptist (Ark.) | 3-0 | 622 | 5 | D. Southern Arkansas, 52-24 | Sept. 23 at Arkansas-Monticello | |
| 5 | Minnesota St. | 3-0 | 590 | 6 | D. Minot St. (N.D.), 52-25 | Sept. 23 vs. Concordia-St. Paul (Minn.) | |
| 6 | Grand Valley St. (Mich.) | 2-1 | 568 | 7 | D. No. 19 Assumption (Mass.), 43-7 | Sept. 30 at Saginaw Valley St. (Mich.) | |
| 7 | West Florida | 2-1 | 564 | 4 | Lost to Florida A&M, 31-10 | Sept. 23 vs. West Georgia | |
| 8 | Delta St. (Miss.) | 3-0 | 555 | 8 | D. Mississippi Valley St., 35-7 | Sept. 23 vs. Shorter (Ga.) | |
| 9 | Bemidji St. (Minn.) | 3-0 | 510 | 10 | D. Winona St. (Minn.), 36-10 | Sept. 23 at Mary (N.D.) | |
| 10 | Harding (Ark.) | 3-0 | 475 | 11 | D. Arkansas-Monticello, 59-19 | Sept. 23 at No. 20 Henderson St. (Ark.) | |
| 11 | Emporia St. (Kan.) | 3-0 | 450 | 12 | D. Northeastern St. (Okla.), 38-0 | Sept. 23 vs. Central Oklahoma | |
| 12 | Slippery Rock (Pa.) | 3-0 | 407 | 13 | D. Millersville (Pa.), 42-21 | Sept. 23 at Seton Hill (Pa.) | |
| 13 | Shepherd (W.Va.) | 3-0 | 366 | 14 | D. California (Pa.), 44-34 | Sept. 23 vs. Kutztown (Pa.) | |
| 14 | Benedict (S.C.) | 3-0 | 354 | 16 | D. Lane (Tenn.), 54-7 | Sept. 23 at Chowan (N.C.) | |
| 15 | Virginia Union | 3-0 | 307 | 17 | D. Livingstone (N.C.), 28-20 | Sept. 23 vs. Fayetteville St. (N.C.) | |
| 16 | Indianapolis (Ind.) | 2-0 | 280 | 18 | D. Wayne St. (Mich.), 28-7 | Sept. 23 at Saginaw Valley St. (Mich.) | |
| 17 | Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.) | 3-0 | 250 | 20 | D. Erskine (S.C.), 62-0 | Sept. 23 at Carson-Newman (Tenn.) | |
| 18 | Texas A&M-Kingsville | 3-0 | 249 | 21 | D. Western New Mexico, 30-9 | Sept. 23 at Texas-Permian Basin | |
| 19 | Western Colorado | 3-0 | 194 | 25 | D. No. 22 Colorado St.-Pueblo, 30-14 | Sept. 23 at Chadron St. (Neb.) | |
| 20 | Henderson St. (Ark.) | 3-0 | 177 | 23 | D. Arkansas Tech, 27-24 | Sept. 23 vs. No. 10 Harding (Ark.) | |
| 21 | Davenport (Mich.) | 2-0 | 134 | 24 | Idle | Sept. 23 vs. William Jewell (Mo.) | |
| 22 | Angelo St. (Tex.) | 1-2 | 110 | 9 | Lost to Central Washington, 27-24 | Sept. 23 vs. Western New Mexico | |
| 23 | Minnesota-Duluth | 3-0 | 96 | NR | D. Sioux Falls (S.D.), 42-34 | Sept. 23 at Southwest Minnesota St. | |
| 24 | Assumption (Mass.) | 2-1 | 64 | 19 | Lost to No. 7 Grand Valley St. (Mich.), 43-7 | Sept. 30 vs. Pace (N.Y.) | |
| 25 | Central Missouri | 2-1 | 35 | NR | Lost to No. 3 Pittsburg St. (Kan.), 38-37 | Sept. 23 at Washburn (Kan.) |
Dropped Out: Northwest Missouri St. (15), Colorado St.-Pueblo (22)
Others Receiving Votes: Valdosta St. (Ga.), 34; Tuskegee (Ala.), 33; Truman St. (Mo.), 32; Augustana (S.D.), 30; Virginia St., 28; Northwest Missouri St., 23; Indiana (Pa.), 17; West Georgia, 11; Tiffin (Ohio), 8; East Stroudsburg (Pa.), 5; Central Washington, 4; Colorado St.-Pueblo, 4; Mars Hill (N.C.), 4; Missouri Western St., 3; Ashland (Ohio), 2; Notre Dame (Ohio), 2.
| Rank | School (1st votes) | Rec. | Pts. | Prev. | Week 2 | Next Game | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ferris St. (Mich.) (27) | 2-0 | 745 | 1 | D. No. 21 Ashland (Ohio), 38-28 | Sept. 16 at Montana | |
| 2 | Colorado School of Mines (2) | 2-0 | 719 | 2 | D. No. 4 Angelo St. (Tex.), 31-21 | Sept. 16 vs. Adams St. (Colo.) | |
| 3 | Pittsburg St. (Kan.) | 2-0 | 689 | 3 | D. Fort Hays St. (Kan.), 40-14 | Sept. 16 at Central Missouri | |
| 4 | West Florida | 2-0 | 631 | 6 | D. McKendree (Ill.), 35-3 | Sept. 16 at Florida A&M | |
| 5 | Ouachita Baptist (Ark.) | 2-0 | 572 | 8 | D. Northwestern Oklahoma St., 66-0 | Sept. 16 vs. Southern Arkansas | |
| 6 | Minnesota St. | 2-0 | 562 | 9 | D. Wayne St. (Neb.), 31-14 | Sept. 16 at Minot St. (N.D.) | |
| 7 | Grand Valley St. (Mich.) | 1-1 | 557 | 7 | D. No. 25 Colorado St.-Pueblo, 57-49 2OT | Sept. 16 vs. No. 19Assumption (Mass.) | |
| 8 | Delta St. (Miss.) | 2-0 | 522 | 10 | D. Chowan (N.C.), 42-18 | Sept. 16 vs. Mississippi Valley St. | |
| 9 | Angelo St. (Tex.) | 1-1 | 493 | 4 | Lost to No. 2 Colorado School of Mines, 31-21 | Sept. 16 at Central Washington | |
| 10 | Bemidji St. (Minn.) | 2-0 | 474 | 11 | D. Southwest Minnesota St., 34-14 | Sept. 16 vs. Winona St. (Minn.) | |
| 11 | Harding (Ark.) | 2-0 | 428 | 12 | D. Oklahoma Baptist, 49-10 | Sept. 16 vs. Arkansas-Monticello | |
| 12 | Emporia St. (Kan.) | 2-0 | 406 | 18 | D. No. 5 Northwest Missouri St., 33-13 | Sept. 16 at Northeastern St. (Okla.) | |
| 13 | Slippery Rock (Pa.) | 2-0 | 360 | 15 | D. West Chester (Pa.), 49-24 | Sept. 16 vs. Millersville (Pa.) | |
| 14 | Shepherd (W.Va.) | 2-0 | 358 | 14 | D. Edinboro (Pa.), 35-28 | Sept. 16 at California (Pa.) | |
| 15 | Northwest Missouri St. | 1-1 | 352 | 5 | Lost to No. 18 Emporia St. (Kan.), 33-13 | Sept. 16 at Fort Hays St. (Kan.) | |
| 16 | Benedict (S.C.) | 2-0 | 321 | 16 | D. Edward Waters (Fla.), 34-0 | Sept. 16 at Lane (Tenn.) | |
| 17 | Virginia Union (1) | 2-0 | 277 | 17 | D. Shaw (N.C.), 26-13 | Sept. 16 at Livingstone (N.C.) | |
| 18 | Indianapolis (Ind.) | 1-0 | 215 | 19 | Idle | Sept. 16 vs. Wayne St. (Mich.) | |
| 19 | Assumption (Mass.) | 2-0 | 185 | 23 | D. Southern Connecticut St., 42-29 | Sept. 16 at No. 7 Grand Valley St. (Mich.) | |
| 20 | Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.) | 2-0 | 176 | 24 | D. Fayetteville St. (N.C.), 24-10 | Sept. 16 vs. Erskine (S.C.) | |
| 21 | Texas A&M-Kingsville | 2-0 | 99 | NR | D. No. 20 West Georgia, 20-17 | Sept. 16 at Western New Mexico | |
| 22 | Colorado St.-Pueblo | 1-1 | 91 | 25 | Lost to No. 7 Grand Valley (Mich.), 57-49 2OT | Sept. 16 vs. No. 25 Western Colo. | |
| 23 | Henderson St. (Ark.) | 2-0 | 79 | NR | D. Southeastern Oklahoma St., 38-28 | Sept. 16 at Arkansas Tech | |
| 24 | Davenport (Mich.) | 2-0 | 63 | NR | D. Bowie St. (Md.), 24-19 | Sept. 23 vs. William Jewell (Mo.) | |
| 25 | Western Colorado | 2-0 | 56 | NR | D. Texas-Permian Basin, 35-27 | Sept. 16 at No. 22 Colorado St.-Pueblo |
Dropped Out: Indiana (Pa.) (13), West Georgia (20), Ashland (Ohio) (21), Wingate (N.C.) (22)
Others Receiving Votes: Ashland (Ohio), 49; Indiana (Pa.), 47; Notre Dame (Ohio), 30; West Georgia, 27; Minnesota-Duluth, 26; Saginaw Valley St. (Mich.), 22; Tuskegee (Ala.), 16; Augustana (S.D.), 15; Central Missouri, 13; Tiffin (Ohio), 13; Truman St. (Mo.), 12; East Stroudsburg (Pa.), 9; Mars Hill (N.C.), 8; Millersville (Pa.), 8; Wingate (N.C.), 8; Bowie St. (Md.), 6; Valdosta St. (Ga.), 5; Newberry (S.C.), 4; Lincoln (Pa.), 1; Virginia St., 1.
| Rank | School (1st votes) | Rec. | Pts. | Prev. | Season Opener | Next Game | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ferris St. (Mich.) (27) | 1-0 | 721 | 1 | D. Mercyhurst (Pa.), 54-12 | Sept. 9 at No. 21 Ashland (Ohio) | |
| 2 | Colorado School of Mines (1) | 1-0 | 693 | 2 | D. No. 3 Grand Valley St. (Mich.), 31-28 | Sept. 9 at No. 4 Angelo St. (Tex.) | |
| 3 | Pittsburg St. (Kan.) | 1-0 | 663 | 4 | D. Washburn (Kan.), 34-7 | Sept. 7 at Fort Hays St. (Kan.) | |
| 4 | Angelo St. (Tex.) | 1-0 | 616 | 5 | D. West Alabama, 38-14 | Sept. 9 vs. No. 2 Colorado School of Mines | |
| 5 | Northwest Missouri St. | 1-0 | 583 | 6 | D. Missouri Southern, 31-24 | Sept. 7 vs. No. 18 Emporia St. (Kan.) | |
| 6 | West Florida | 1-0 | 558 | 7 | D. Kentucky Wesleyan, 35-3 | Sept. 9 at McKendree (Ill.) | |
| 7 | Grand Valley St. (Mich.) | 0-1 | 536 | 3 | Lost to No. 2 Colorado Mines, 31-28 | Sept. 9 vs. No. 25 Colorado St.-Pueblo | |
| 8 | Ouachita Baptist (Ark.) | 1-0 | 510 | 8 | D. Southwestern Oklahoma St., 38-14 | Sept. 9 vs. Northwestern Oklahoma St. | |
| 9 | Minnesota St. | 1-0 | 505 | 9 | D. Sioux Falls (S.D.), 54-26 | Sept. 9 vs. Wayne St. (Neb.) | |
| 10 | Delta St. (Miss.) | 1-0 | 472 | 10 | D. Missouri S&T, 48-20 | Sept. 9 at Chowan (N.C.) | |
| 11 | Bemidji St. (Minn.) | 1-0 | 441 | 11 | D. Northern St. (S.D.), 49-13 | Sept. 9 at Southwest Minnesota St. | |
| 12 | Harding (Ark.) | 1-0 | 371 | 14 | D. Southern Nazarene (Okla.), 53-20 | Sept. 9 vs. Oklahoma Baptist | |
| 13 | Indiana (Pa.) | 1-0 | 346 | 16 | D. No. 12 Ashland (Ohio), 24-17 | Sept. 9 vs. East Stroudsburg (Pa.) | |
| 14 | Shepherd (W.Va.) | 1-0 | 341 | 13 | D. Southern Connecticut St., 27-26 | Sept. 9 at Edinboro (Pa.) | |
| 15 | Slippery Rock (Pa.) | 1-0 | 309 | 15 | D. Wayne St. (Mich.), 28-17 | Sept. 9 vs. West Chester (Pa.) | |
| 16 | Benedict (S.C.) (1) | 1-0 | 274 | 17 | D. Shaw (N.C.), 52-0 | Sept. 9 at Edward Waters (Fla.) | |
| 17 | Virginia Union | 1-0 | 249 | 18 | D. Morehouse (Ga.), 45-13 | Sept. 9 at Shaw (N.C.) | |
| 18 | Emporia St. (Kan.) | 1-0 | 235 | 19 | D. Lincoln (Mo.), 56-10 | Sept. 7 at No. 5 Northwest Missouri St. | |
| 19 | Indianapolis (Ind.) | 1-0 | 170 | 20 | D. Hillsdale (Mich.), 39-20 | Sept. 16 vs. Wayne St. (Mich.) | |
| 20 | West Georgia | 1-0 | 140 | 22 | D. Limestone (S.C.), 21-19 | Sept. 9 at Texas A&M-Kingsville | |
| 21 | Ashland (Ohio) | 0-1 | 133 | 12 | Lost to No. 16 Indiana (Pa.), 24-17 | Sept. 9 vs. No. 1 Ferris St. (Mich.) | |
| 22 | Wingate (N.C.) | 1-0 | 130 | 21 | D. Albany St. (Ga.), 30-7 | Sept. 7 at Mars Hill (N.C.) | |
| 23 | Assumption (Mass.) | 1-0 | 84 | 23 | D. Kutztown (Pa.), 31-20 | Sept. 9 at Southern Connecticut St. | |
| 24 | Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.) | 1-0 | 76 | 25 | D. St. Augustine’s (N.C.), 45-7 | Sept. 9 at Fayetteville St. (N.C.) | |
| 25 | Colorado St.-Pueblo | 1-0 | 62 | NR | D. Midwestern St. (Tex.), 37-8 | Sept. 9 at No. 7 Grand Valley St. (Mich.) |
Dropped Out: Newberry (S.C.) (24)
Others Receiving Votes: Newberry (S.C.), 44; Bowie St. (Md.), 38; Wayne St. (Neb.), 20; Henderson St. (Ark.), 16; Western Colorado, 15; Davenport (Mich.), 13; Central Washington, 8; Fort Hays St. (Kan.), 8; Texas A&M-Kingsville, 8; Minnesota-Duluth, 7; Notre Dame (Ohio), 5; Saginaw Valley St. (Mich.), 5; Central Oklahoma, 4; Limestone (S.C.), 4; Truman St. (Mo.), 4; Augustana (S.D.), 3; Tiffin (Ohio), 2; Tuskegee (Ala.), 2; Millersville (Pa.), 1.
| Rank | School (1st votes) | 2022 Rec. | Pts. | 2022 Rank | Season Opener | Head Coach | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ferris St. (Mich.) (29) | 14-1 | 725 | 1 | Aug. 31 vs. Mercyhurst (Pa.) | Tony Annese | |
| 2 | Colorado School of Mines | 13-3 | 642 | 2 | Aug. 31 vs. No. 3 Grand Valley St. (Mich.) | Pete Sterbick | |
| 3 | Grand Valley St. (Mich.) | 12-1 | 641 | 3 | Aug. 31 at No. 2 Colorado School of Mines | Scott Wooster | |
| 4 | Pittsburg St. (Kan.) | 12-1 | 633 | 5 | Aug. 31 vs. Washburn (Kan.) | Brian Wright | |
| 5 | Angelo St. (Tex.) | 12-1 | 590 | 7 | Aug. 31 at West Alabama | Jeff Girsch | |
| 6 | Northwest Missouri St. | 10-3 | 560 | 8 | Aug. 31 at Missouri Southern | Rich Wright | |
| 7 | West Florida | 12-2 | 482 | 4 | Sept. 1 vs. Kentucky Wesleyan | Kaleb Nobles | |
| 8 | Ouachita Baptist (Ark.) | 11-1 | 455 | 10 | Aug. 31 at Southwestern Oklahoma St. | Todd Knight | |
| 9 | Minnesota St. | 10-3 | 450 | 14 | Aug. 31 at Sioux Falls (S.D.) | Todd Hoffner | |
| 10 | Delta St. (Miss.) | 11-2 | 438 | 9 | Aug. 31 at Missouri S&T | Todd Cooley | |
| 11 | Bemidji St. (Minn.) | 10-3 | 420 | 24 | Aug. 31 vs. Northern St. (S.D.) | Brent Bolte | |
| 12 | Ashland (Ohio) | 10-2 | 387 | 13 | Aug. 31 at No. 16 Indiana (Pa.) | Doug Geiser | |
| 13 | Shepherd (W.Va.) | 13-2 | 359 | 6 | Sept. 2 vs. Southern Connecticut St. | Ernie McCook | |
| 14 | Harding (Ark.) | 9-2 | 305 | 22 | Aug. 31 at Southern Nazarene (Okla.) | Paul Simmons | |
| 15 | Slippery Rock (Pa.) | 10-3 | 304 | 16 | Sept. 2 vs. Wayne St. (Mich.) | Shawn Lutz | |
| 16 | Indiana (Pa.) | 10-2 | 300 | 11 | Aug. 31 vs. No. 12 Ashland (Ohio) | Paul Tortorella | |
| 17 | Benedict (S.C.) (1) | 11-1 | 232 | 12 | Sept. 2 vs. Shaw (N.C.) | Chennis Berry | |
| 18 | Virginia Union | 9-2 | 200 | 18 | Sept. 3 vs. Morehouse (Ga.) | Alvin Parker | |
| 19 | Emporia St. (Kan.) | 9-3 | 187 | NR | Aug. 31 vs. Lincoln (Mo.) | Garin Higgins | |
| 20 | Indianapolis (Ind.) | 9-2 | 149 | 17 | Sept. 2 vs. Hillsdale (Mich.) | Chris Keevers | |
| 21 | Wingate (N.C.) | 11-3 | 147 | 15 | Aug. 31 vs. Albany St. (Ga.) | Joe Reich | |
| 22 | West Georgia | 8-2 | 146 | 19 | Aug. 31 vs. Limestone (S.C.) | David Dean | |
| 23 | Assumption (Mass.) | 8-3 | 132 | NR | Sept. 2 vs. Kutztown (Pa.) | Andy McKenzie | |
| 24 | Newberry (S.C.) | 9-2 | 131 | 21 | Sept. 2 at Shippensburg (Pa.) | Todd Knight | |
| 25 | Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.) | 8-3 | 129 | NR | Sept. 2 vs. St. Augustine’s (N.C.) | Mike Jacobs |
Others Receiving Votes: Notre Dame (Ohio), 99; Davenport (Mich.), 69; Colorado St.-Pueblo, 56; Bowie St. (Md.), 53; Truman St. (Mo.), 31; Central Washington, 30; Limestone (S.C.), 30; Winona St. (Minn.), 23; Wayne St. (Neb.), 18; Henderson St. (Ark.), 17; Fayetteville St. (N.C.), 16; Tuskegee (Ala.), 16; Morehouse (Ga.), 13; Findlay (Ohio), 12; Fort Valley St. (Ga.), 11; Ohio Dominican, 10; Tiffin (Ohio), 10; California (Pa.), 9; Washburn (Kan.), 9; Charleston (W.Va.), 8; Millersville (Pa.), 8; Mars Hill (N.C.), 6; Saginaw Valley St. (Mich.), 6; Texas A&M-Kingsville, 6; Western Colorado, 6; Kutztown (Pa.), 5; Wayne St. (Mich.), 5; Winston-Salem St. (N.C.), 5; Gannon (Pa.), 4; Central Oklahoma, 3; Central St. (Ohio), 2; New Haven (Conn.), 2; Sioux Falls (S.D.), 2; Southern Arkansas, 2; Bluefield St. (W.Va.), 1; Minnesota-Duluth, 1; Nebraska-Kearney, 1; West Alabama, 1.
Overview
In response to overwhelming support by NCAA Division III coaches, the American Football Coaches Association began publishing a Division III Top 25 Coaches’ Poll in 1999.
Prior to 1999, there were no coaches’ polls for any NCAA divisions other than Football Bowl Subdivision. The NCAA had published a regional poll for Division III prior to 1999, but discontinued the poll because of changes in the selection process for the Division III playoffs that took effect in 1999.
The regional poll had been used to rank teams for consideration for the 16-team playoff tournament. But in 1999, the Division III playoffs expanded to 28 teams and the regional format was no longer used.
Format
The Division III poll follows the same basic format as the USA Today Coaches’ Poll. The Division III Board of Coaches will have 42 voters, representing all Division III conferences. The Division III Coaches’ Poll will be released on Mondays beginning in September and will run through the completion of the regular season in mid-November. A final poll will be released on the Monday following the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl.
| Rank | School (1st votes) | Rec. | Pts. | Prev. | Last Week | Next Game | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Central (Ill.) (49) | 2-0 | 1225 | – | D. Carthage (Wis.), 70-0 | Sept. 23 at Elmhurst (Ill.) | |
| 2 | Mount Union (Ohio) | 2-0 | 1166 | – | D. Marietta (Ohio), 28-0 | Sept. 23 vs. Muskingum (Ohio) | |
| 3 | Wisconsin-Whitewater | 3-0 | 1093 | – | D. Mary Hardin-Baylor (Tex.), 17-14 | Sept. 30 at No. 23 Wisconsin-Oshkosh | |
| 4 | Wartburg (Iowa) | 3-0 | 1088 | – | D. Buena Vista (Iowa), 47-0 | Sept. 23 at Simpson (Iowa) | |
| 5 | Hardin-Simmons (Tex.) | 2-0 | 997 | – | Idle | Sept. 22 at Endicott (Mass.) | |
| 6 | Wisconsin-River Falls | 3-0 | 914 | – | D. Northwestern (Minn.), 75-3 | Sept. 30 vs. Wisconsin-Platteville | |
| 7 | Linfield (Ore.) | 2-0 | 846 | – | D. Redlands (Calif.), 17-10 | Sept. 30 vs. Willamette (Ore.) | |
| 8 | Wheaton (Ill.) | 2-0 | 809 | – | D. Illinois Wesleyan, 47-16 | Sept. 23 vs. Augustana (Ill.) | |
| 9 | Trinity (Tex.) | 2-1 | 793 | – | D. Birmingham-Southern (Ala.), 38-3 | Sept. 23 vs. Rhodes (Tenn.) | |
| 10 | Johns Hopkins (Md.) | 3-0 | 726 | – | D. Salisbury (Md.), 42-7 | Sept. 30 at Rowan (N.J.) | |
| 11 | St. John’s (Minn.) | 1-1 | 692 | – | Idle | Sept. 23 vs. No. 18 Bethel (Minn.) | |
| 12 | Randolph-Macon (Va.) | 3-0 | 681 | – | D. Southern Virginia, 51-10 | Sept. 30 at Guilford (N.C.) | |
| 13 | Carnegie Mellon (Pa.) | 3-0 | 553 | – | D. Waynesburg (Pa.), 41-10 | Sept. 23 at Grove City (Pa.) | |
| 14 | Aurora (Ill.) | 3-0 | 547 | – | D. Benedictine (Ill.), 63-7 | Sept. 30 vs. Eureka (Ill.) | |
| 15 | Wisconsin-La Crosse | 2-1 | 544 | – | D. Northern Michigan, 34-3 | Sept. 30 vs. Wisconsin-Stout | |
| 16 | Susquehanna (Pa.) | 3-0 | 515 | – | D. Cortland (N.Y.), 38-35 | Sept. 23 vs. Western New England (Mass.) | |
| 17 | Alma (Mich.) | 3-0 | 335 | – | D. Anderson (Ind.), 60-14 | Sept. 23 at Wittenberg (Ohio) | |
| 18 | Bethel (Minn.) | 1-1 | 313 | – | D. Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 24-0 | Sept. 23 at No. 11 St. John’s (Minn.) | |
| 19 | John Carroll (Ohio) | 1-1 | 302 | – | D. Baldwin Wallace (Ohio), 30-7 | Sept. 23 at Heidelberg (Ohio) | |
| 20 | Muhlenberg (Pa.) | 3-0 | 254 | – | D. New Jersey, 38-10 | Sept. 29 at Ursinus (Pa.) | |
| 21 | Cortland (N.Y.) | 2-1 | 228 | – | Lost to Susquehanna (Pa.), 38-35 | Sept. 30 at Morrisville St. (N.Y.) | |
| 22 | Ithaca (N.Y.) | 2-1 | 218 | – | D. Alfred (N.Y.), 22-0 | Sept. 30 vs. Hobart (N.Y.) | |
| 23 | Wisconsin-Oshkosh | 2-1 | 194 | – | D. East Texas Baptist, 60-7 | Sept. 30 vs. No. 3 Wisconsin-Whitewater | |
| 24 | Utica (N.Y.) | 3-0 | 112 | – | D. Lycoming (Pa.), 38-35 | Sept. 23 vs. Curry (Mass.) | |
| 25t. | Delaware Valley (Pa.) | 2-1 | 106 | – | D. Eastern (Pa.), 29-6 | Sept. 23 vs. King’s (Pa.) | |
| 25t. | DePauw (Ind.) | 3-0 | 106 | – | D. Hiram (Ohio), 49-0 | Sept. 23 vs. Ohio Wesleyan |
Others Receiving Votes: Rensselaer (N.Y.), 83; Mary Hardin-Baylor (Tex.), 82; Washington & Jefferson (Pa.), 78; Lake Forest (Ill.), 51; Albion (Mich.), 47; Berry (Ga.), 43; Washington (Mo.), 36; Coe (Iowa), 35; Wisconsin-Platteville, 24; Ursinus (Pa.), 18; Massachusetts-Dartmouth, 16; Howard Payne (Tex.), 15; Whitworth (Wash.), 14; Hobart (N.Y.), 9; Union (N.Y.), 6; Belhaven (Miss.), 4; Endicott (Mass.), 2; Huntingdon (Ala.), 2; Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (Calif.), 1; Heidelberg (Ohio), 1; Trinity (Conn.), 1.
