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.
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 Board of Coaches for the 2024 season: Tim Albin, Ohio; Major Applewhite, South Alabama; Tim Beck, Coastal Carolina; Mike Bloomgren, Rice; David Braun, Northwestern; Jeff Brohm, Louisville; Fran Brown, Syracuse; Neal Brown, West Virginia; Troy Calhoun, Air Force; Jamey Chadwell, Liberty; Bob Chesney, James Madison; Chris Creighton, Eastern Michigan; Sonny Cumbie, Louisiana Tech; Spencer Danielson, Boise State; Ryan Day, Ohio State; Kalen DeBoer, Alabama; Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State; Eliah Drinkwitz, Missouri; Mike Elko, Texas A&M; Tony Elliott, Virginia; Jedd Fisch, Washington; James Franklin, Penn State; Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame; Willie Fritz, Houston; Alex Golesh, South Florida; Tyson Helton, Western Kentucky; Mike Houston, East Carolina; Butch Jones, Arkansas State; Brent Key, Georgia Tech; GJ Kinne, Texas State; Chris Klieman, Kansas State; Dan Lanning, Oregon; Rhett Lashlee, SMU; Clark Lea, Vanderbilt; Lance Leipold, Kansas; Pete Lembo, Buffalo; Sean Lewis, San Diego State; Mike Locksley, Maryland; Mike MacIntyre, Florida International; Gus Malzahn, Central Florida; Chuck Martin, Miami (Ohio); Derek Mason, Middle Tennessee; Joey McGuire, Texas Tech; Bronco Mendenhall, New Mexico; Jeff Monken, Army; Pat Narduzzi, Pittsburgh; Ken Niumatalolo, San Jose State; Barry Odom, UNLV; Gerad Parker, Troy; Brent Pry, Virginia Tech; Kirby Smart, Georgia; Mark Stoops, Kentucky; Jon Sumrall, Tulane; Lance Taylor, Western Michigan; Jeff Traylor, Texas-San Antonio.
Rank | School (1st votes) | Pts. | Prev. | Rec. | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Georgia (50) | 1,346 | 1 | 2-0 | |
2 | Ohio State (3) | 1,281 | 2 | 2-0 | |
3 | Texas (1) | 1,259 | 3 | 2-0 | |
4 | Alabama | 1,157 | 4 | 2-0 | |
5 | Mississippi | 1,136 | 5 | 2-0 | |
6 | Oregon | 987 | 6 | 2-0 | |
7 | Penn State | 956 | 8 | 2-0 | |
8 | Missouri | 955 | 10 | 2-0 | |
9 | Tennessee | 930 | 12 | 2-0 | |
10 | Utah | 871 | 11 | 2-0 | |
11 | Southern California | 803 | 14 | 2-0 | |
12 | Miami (Fla.) | 798 | 15 | 2-0 | |
13 | Oklahoma | 700 | 13 | 2-0 | |
14 | Oklahoma State | 588 | 17 | 2-0 | |
15 | Kansas State | 578 | 16 | 2-0 | |
16 | Michigan | 501 | 9 | 1-1 | |
17 | LSU | 410 | 19 | 1-1 | |
18 | Arizona | 399 | 18 | 2-0 | |
19 | Notre Dame | 388 | 7 | 1-1 | |
20 | Clemson | 326 | 22 | 1-1 | |
21 | Louisville | 288 | 24 | 2-0 | |
22 | Washington | 176 | 25 | 2-0 | |
23 | Iowa State | 157 | NR | 2-0 | |
24 | Nebraska | 91 | NR | 2-0 | |
25 | Memphis | 85 | NR | 2-0 |
Dropped out: No. 20 Kansas (1-1); No. 21 Iowa (1-1); No. 23 North Carolina State (1-1).
Others receiving votes: Texas A&M (1-1) 68; Boston College (2-0) 36; Illinois (2-0) 33; Syracuse (2-0) 33; Northern Illinois (2-0) 30; Wisconsin (2-0) 28; South Carolina (2-0) 25; Boise State (1-1) 20; UNLV (2-0) 19; Iowa (1-1) 17; Kansas (1-1) 14; Central Florida (2-0) 12; North Carolina State (1-1) 10; Texas State (2-0) 8; TCU (2-0) 6; California (2-0) 5; North Carolina (2-0) 5; Liberty (2-0) 4; Brigham Young (2-0) 2; Michigan State (2-0) 2; Pittsburgh (2-0) 2; Arizona State (2-0) 2; Indiana (2-0) 1; James Madison (2-0) 1; Tulane (1-1) 1.
Rank | School (1st votes) | Pts. | Prev. | Rec. | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Georgia (51) | 1,371 | 1 | 1-0 | |
2 | Ohio State (3) | 1,316 | 2 | 1-0 | |
3 | Texas (1) | 1,245 | 4 | 1-0 | |
4 | Alabama | 1,172 | 5 | 1-0 | |
5 | Mississippi | 1,081 | 6 | 1-0 | |
6 | Oregon | 1,080 | 3 | 1-0 | |
7 | Notre Dame | 1,079 | 7 | 1-0 | |
8 | Penn State | 987 | 9 | 1-0 | |
9 | Michigan | 919 | 8 | 1-0 | |
10 | Missouri | 848 | 11 | 1-0 | |
11 | Utah | 779 | 13 | 1-0 | |
12 | Tennessee | 753 | 15 | 1-0 | |
13 | Oklahoma | 705 | 16 | 1-0 | |
14 | Southern California | 655 | 23 | 1-0 | |
15 | Miami (Fla.) | 650 | 19 | 1-0 | |
16 | Kansas State | 537 | 17 | 1-0 | |
17 | Oklahoma State | 499 | 18 | 1-0 | |
18 | Arizona | 348 | 21 | 1-0 | |
19 | LSU | 341 | 12 | 0-1 | |
20 | Kansas | 295 | 24 | 1-0 | |
21 | Iowa | 260 | 25 | 1-0 | |
22 | Clemson | 223 | 14 | 0-1 | |
23 | NC State | 154 | 22 | 1-0 | |
24 | Louisville | 101 | NR | 1-0 | |
25 | Washington | 95 | NR | 1-0 |
Dropped out: No. 10 Florida State (0-2); No. 20 Texas A&M (0-1).
Others receiving votes: Georgia Tech (2-0) 86; Texas A&M (0-1) 78; Memphis (1-0) 43; Kentucky (1-0) 23; Boise State (1-0) 22; SMU (2-0) 19; Auburn (1-0) 13; Wisconsin (1-0) 11; Iowa State (1-0) 10; Liberty (1-0) 9; Maryland (1-0) 9; Tulane (1-0) 9; UNLV (1-0) 9; Nebraska (1-0) 8; Boston College (1-0) 7; South Florida (1-0) 5; Air Force (1-0) 4; James Madison (1-0) 4; Appalachian State (1-0) 3; North Carolina (1-0) 3;Texas-San Antonio (1-0) 3; Texas State (1-0) 2; Coastal Carolina (1-0) 1; Syracuse (1-0) 1.
Rank | School (1st votes) | Pts. | Prev. | 2023 Rec. | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Georgia (46) | 1,364 | 3 | 13-1 | |
2 | Ohio State (7) | 1,302 | 10 | 11-2 | |
3 | Oregon | 1,228 | 7 | 12-2 | |
4 | Texas (1) | 1,223 | 4 | 12-2 | |
5 | Alabama | 1,077 | 5 | 12-2 | |
6 | Mississippi | 1,019 | 9 | 11-2 | |
7 | Notre Dame | 969 | 14 | 10-3 | |
8 | Michigan (1) | 944 | 1 | 15-0 | |
9 | Penn State | 889 | 13 | 10-3 | |
10 | Florida State | 867 | 6 | 13-1 | |
11 | Missouri | 808 | 8 | 11-2 | |
12 | LSU | 742 | 12 | 10-3 | |
13 | Utah | 665 | NR | 8-5 | |
14 | Clemson | 657 | 20 | 9-4 | |
15 | Tennessee | 621 | 17 | 9-4 | |
16 | Oklahoma | 609 | 15 | 10-3 | |
17 | Kansas State | 416 | 19 | 9-4 | |
18 | Oklahoma State | 359 | 16 | 10-4 | |
19 | Miami (Fla.) | 292 | NR | 7-6 | |
20 | Texas A&M | 273 | NR | 7-6 | |
21 | Arizona | 230 | 11 | 10-3 | |
22 | NC State | 216 | 21 | 9-4 | |
23 | Southern California | 199 | NR | 8-5 | |
24 | Kansas | 186 | 23 | 9-4 | |
25 | Iowa | 148 | 21 | 10-4 |
Dropped out: No. 2 Washington (14-1); No. 18 Louisville (10-4); No. 24 SMU (11-3); No. 25 West Virginia (9-4).
Others receiving votes: Washington (14-1) 123; Louisville (10-4) 95; Virginia Tech (7-6) 64; SMU (11-3) 47; Memphis (10-3) 44; Boise State (8-6) 30; Auburn (6-7) 25; West Virginia (9-4) 22; Wisconsin (7-6) 17; Iowa State (7-6) 15; Liberty (13-1) 15; Kentucky (7-6) 12; Florida (5-7) 11; South Carolina (5-7) 10; North Carolina (8-5) 6; Maryland (8-5) 5; UNLV (9-5) 5; Central Florida (6-7) 4; Texas Tech (7-6) 4; Texas-San Antonio (9-4) 3; Appalachian State (9-5) 2; Colorado (4-8) 2; Nebraska (5-7) 2; Texas State (8-5) 2; Tulane (11-3) 2; Air Force (9-4) 1; James Madison (11-2) 1; Miami (Ohio) (11-3) 1; Syracuse (6-7) 1; Troy (11-3) 1.
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.
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 2 | Next Game | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | South Dakota St. (22) | 1-1 | 645 | 1 | D. No. 11 UIW, 45-24 | Sept. 14 vs. Augustana (S.D.) | |
2 | North Dakota St. (2) | 1-1 | 620 | 2 | D. Tennessee St., 52-3 | Sept. 14 at East Tennessee St. | |
3 | Montana St. (2) | 3-0 | 599 | 3 | D. Maine, 41-24 | Sept. 21 vs. Mercyhurst | |
4 | Villanova | 2-0 | 553 | 5 | D. Colgate, 28-3 | Sept. 14 vs. Towson | |
5 | Idaho | 1-1 | 545 | 7 | D. Wyoming, 17-13 | Sept. 14 vs. No. 15 UAlbany | |
6 | South Dakota | 1-1 | 515 | 6 | Lost to Wisconsin, 27-13 | Sept. 14 at Portland St. | |
7 | Central Arkansas | 1-1 | 433 | 9 | D. Lindenwood, 34-13 | Sept. 14 vs. Austin Peay | |
8 | Southern Illinois | 1-1 | 426 | 12 | D. Austin Peay, 31-17 | Sept. 14 vs. No. 14 UIW | |
9 | Montana | 1-1 | 405 | 4 | Lost to No. 20 North Dakota, 27-24 | Sept. 14 vs. Morehead St. | |
10 | North Dakota | 1-1 | 362 | 20 | D. No. 4 Montana, 27-24 | Sept. 14 vs. Idaho St. | |
11 | Sacramento St. | 0-2 | 304 | 8 | Lost to Fresno St., 46-30 | Sept. 14 vs. No. 23 Nicholls | |
12 | UC Davis | 1-1 | 283 | 18 | D. Texas A&M-Commerce, 36-22 | Sept. 14 at Southern Utah | |
13 | William & Mary | 1-1 | 281 | 14 | Lost to Coastal Carolina, 40-21 | Sept. 14 at Wofford | |
14 | UIW | 1-1 | 277 | 11 | Lost to No. 1 South Dakota St., 45-24 | Sept. 14 at No. 8 Southern Illinois | |
15 | UAlbany | 1-1 | 266 | 13 | Lost to West Virginia, 49-14 | Sept. 14 at No. 5 Idaho | |
16 | Chattanooga | 0-2 | 265 | 10 | Lost to Georgia St., 24-21 | Sept. 14 vs. No. 24 Mercer | |
17 | Tarleton St. | 2-1 | 231 | 21 | D. Houston Christian, 35-18 | Sept. 21 at North Alabama | |
18 | Lafayette | 1-1 | 218 | 19 | D. Monmouth (N.J.), 40-35 | Sept. 14 vs. Marist | |
19 | Illinois St. | 1-1 | 202 | 22 | D. North Alabama, 24-17 | Sept. 14 vs. Western Illinois | |
20 | Youngstown St. | 1-1 | 183 | 23 | D. Valparaiso, 59-25 | Sept. 14 vs. Duquesne | |
21 | Northern Iowa | 2-0 | 86 | NR | D. St. Thomas (Minn.), 17-10 | Sept. 14 at Nebraska | |
22 | Florida A&M | 2-1 | 70 | 24 | Lost to Miami (Fla.), 56-9 | Sept. 21 at Troy | |
23 | Nicholls | 0-2 | 65 | 25 | Lost to LSU, 44-21 | Sept. 14 at No. 11 Sacramento St. | |
24 | Mercer | 2-0 | 64 | NR | D. Bethune-Cookman, 31-2 | Sept. 14 at No. 16 Chattanooga | |
25 | Weber St. | 1-1 | 63 | NR | D. Portland St., 43-16 | Sept. 14 at Lamar |
Dropped Out: Richmond (15), Furman (16), Western Carolina (17)
Others Receiving Votes: Southeast Missouri St., 61; Furman, 51; Richmond, 49; Wofford, 46; ACU, 38; Elon, 37; Southern Utah, 31; Eastern Illinois, 28; Western Carolina, 27; North Carolina Central, 16; Northern Arizona, 14; Delaware St., 13; New Hampshire, 13; Harvard, 11; UT Martin, 10; Missouri St., 8; Yale, 8; St. Francis (Pa.), 6; Drake, 5; Alabama A&M, 4; Alabama St., 2; Georgetown (D.C.), 2; McNeese, 2; Rhode Island, 2; Campbell, 1; Indiana St., 1; Lamar, 1; Prairie View A&M, 1; Stephen F. Austin, 1.
Rank | School (1st votes) | Rec. | Pts. | Prev. | Week 1 | Next Game | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | South Dakota St. (17) | 0-1 | 630 | 1 | Lost to Oklahoma St., 44-20 | Sept. 7 vs. No. 11 UIW | |
2 | North Dakota St. (5) | 0-1 | 624 | 2 | Lost to Colorado, 31-26 | Sept. 7 vs. Tennessee St. | |
3 | Montana St. (4) | 2-0 | 589 | 4 | D. Utah Tech, 31-7 | Sept. 7 vs. Maine | |
4 | Montana | 1-0 | 572 | 3 | D. Missouri St., 29-24 | Sept. 7 at No. 20 North Dakota | |
5 | Villanova | 1-0 | 527 | 6 | D. No. 23 Youngstown St., 24-17 | Sept. 7 at Colgate | |
6 | South Dakota | 1-0 | 493 | 5 | D. Northern St., 45-3 | Sept. 7 at Wisconsin | |
7 | Idaho | 0-1 | 489 | 7 | Lost to Oregon, 24-14 | Sept. 7 at Wyoming | |
8 | Sacramento St. | 0-1 | 397 | 10 | Lost to San Jose St., 42-24 | Sept. 7 at Fresno St. | |
9 | Central Arkansas | 0-1 | 359 | 13 | Lost to Arkansas St., 34-31 | Sept. 7 at Lindenwood | |
10 | Chattanooga | 0-1 | 342 | 8 | Lost to Tennessee, 69-3 | Sept. 7 at Georgia St. | |
11 | UIW | 1-0 | 340 | 15 | D. Northern Colorado, 28-7 | Sept. 7 at No. 1 South Dakota St. | |
12 | Southern Illinois | 0-1 | 331 | 11 | Lost to BYU, 41-13 | Sept. 7 at Austin Peay | |
13 | UAlbany | 1-0 | 302 | 14 | D. LIU, 27-21 | Sept. 7 at West Virginia | |
14 | William & Mary | 1-0 | 300 | 16 | D. VMI, 41-7 | Sept. 7 at Coastal Carolina | |
15 | Richmond | 0-1 | 289 | 12 | Lost to Virginia, 34-13 | Sept. 7 vs. Wofford | |
16 | Furman | 0-1 | 270 | 9 | Lost to Ole Miss, 76-0 | Sept. 7 vs. Charleston Southern | |
17 | Western Carolina | 0-1 | 221 | 19 | Lost to NC State, 38-21 | Sept. 7 vs. Campbell | |
18 | UC Davis | 0-1 | 197 | 17 | Lost to California, 31-13 | Sept. 7 vs. Texas A&M-Commerce | |
19 | Lafayette | 0-1 | 156 | 18 | Lost to Buffalo, 30-13 | Sept. 7 at Monmouth (N.J.) | |
20 | North Dakota | 0-1 | 152 | 22 | Lost to Iowa St., 21-3 | Sept. 7 vs. No. 4 Montana | |
21 | Tarleton St. | 1-1 | 109 | 21 | Lost to Baylor, 45-3 | Sept. 7 at Houston Christian | |
22 | Illinois St. | 0-1 | 95 | 20 | Lost to Iowa, 40-0 | Sept. 7 at North Alabama | |
23 | Youngstown St. | 0-1 | 88 | 23 | Lost to No. 6 Villanova, 24-17 | Sept. 7 vs. Valparaiso | |
24 | Florida A&M | 2-0 | 82 | 25 | D. South Carolina St., 22-18 | Sept. 7 at Miami (Fla.) | |
25 | Nicholls | 0-1 | 74 | 24 | Lost to Louisiana Tech, 25-17 | Sept. 7 at LSU |
Dropped Out: None
Others Receiving Votes: Northern Iowa, 55; ACU, 43; Mercer, 41; Eastern Washington, 40; North Carolina Central, 33; Eastern Illinois, 30; Rhode Island, 26; Southeast Missouri St., 20; Weber St., 17; Delaware St., 14; Harvard, 14; Missouri St., 14; Princeton, 14; Elon, 13; McNeese, 13; Stephen F. Austin, 12; UT Martin, 11; Wagner, 10; Northern Arizona, 5; Wofford, 5; Indiana St., 3; Yale, 3; Tennessee St., 2; Alabama A&M, 1; Murray St., 1; North Carolina A&T, 1; Samford, 1.
Rank | School (1st votes) | 2023 Rec. | Pts. | 2023 Rank | Season Opener | Head Coach | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | South Dakota St. (25) | 15-0 | 649 | 1 | Aug. 31 at Oklahoma St. | Jimmy Rogers | |
2 | North Dakota St. | 11-4 | 614 | 3 | Aug. 29 at Colorado | Tim Polasek | |
3 | Montana | 13-2 | 576 | 2 | Aug. 31 vs. Missouri St. | Bobby Hauck | |
4 | Montana St. | 8-4 | 518 | 8 | Aug. 24 at New Mexico | Brent Vigen | |
5 | South Dakota | 10-3 | 512 | 4t | Aug. 29 vs. Northern St. | Bob Nielson | |
6 | Villanova | 10-3 | 502 | 9 | Aug. 29 vs. No. 23 Youngstown St. | Mark Ferrante | |
7 | Idaho | 9-4 | 473 | 4t | Aug. 31 at Oregon | Jason Eck | |
8 | Chattanooga | 8-5 | 403 | 17 | Aug. 31 at Tennessee | Rusty Wright | |
9 | Furman | 10-3 | 392 | 6 | Aug. 31 at Ole Miss | Clay Hendrix | |
10 | Sacramento St. | 8-5 | 382 | 15 | Aug. 29 at San Jose St. | Andy Thompson | |
11 | Southern Illinois | 8-5 | 370 | 13 | Aug. 31 at BYU | Nick Hill | |
12 | Richmond | 9-4 | 353 | 22 | Aug. 31 at Virginia | Russ Huesman | |
13 | Central Arkansas | 7-4 | 339 | NR | Aug. 31 at Arkansas St. | Nathan Brown | |
14 | UAlbany | 11-4 | 275 | 7 | Aug. 31 vs. LIU | Greg Gattuso | |
15 | UIW | 9-2 | 259 | 14 | Aug. 31 vs. Northern Colorado | Clint Killough | |
16 | William & Mary | 6-5 | 196 | NR | Aug. 29 vs. VMI | Mike London | |
17 | UC Davis | 7-4 | 164 | NR | Aug. 31 at California | Tim Plough | |
18 | Lafayette | 9-3 | 157 | 19 | Aug. 29 at Buffalo | John Troxell | |
19 | Western Carolina | 7-4 | 144 | NR | Aug. 29 at NC State | Kerwin Bell | |
20 | Illinois St. | 6-5 | 143 | NR | Aug. 31 at Iowa | Brock Spack | |
21 | Tarleton | 8-3 | 137 | NR | Aug. 24 vs. McNeese | Todd Whitten | |
22 | North Dakota | 7-5 | 131 | 16 | Aug. 31 at Iowa St. | Bubba Schweigert | |
23 | Youngstown St. | 8-5 | 97 | 21 | Aug. 29 at No. 6 Villanova | Doug Phillips | |
24 | Nicholls | 6-5 | 91 | NR | Aug. 31 at Louisiana Tech | Tim Rebowe | |
25 | Florida A&M (1) | 12-1 | 71 | 10 | Aug. 24 vs. Norfolk St. | James Colzie III |
*– Ranking in final AFCA FCS Coaches Poll of 2023
Others Receiving Votes: Weber St., 66; North Carolina Central, 53; Eastern Illinois, 50; UT Martin, 38; Austin Peay, 35; Northern Iowa, 33; Harvard, 32; Yale, 31; Mercer, 27; Holy Cross, 20; Howard, 20; Alabama St., 17; Northern Arizona, 17; Elon, 16; Alcorn St., 9; Duquesne, 7; North Carolina A&T, 6; Fordham, 5; Gardner-Webb, 4; Indiana St., 3; Missouri St., 3; Butler, 2; Eastern Kentucky, 2; Southeast Missouri St., 2; Eastern Washington, 1; Murray St., 1; Samford, 1; Utah Tech, 1.
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.
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 1 | Next Game | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Harding (Ark.) (27) | 1-0 | 723 | 1 | D. Southern Nazarene (Okla.), 59-0 | Sept. 14 at Oklahoma Baptist | |
2 | Central Missouri (1) | 1-0 | 690 | 2 | D. Northeastern St. (Okla.), 63-21 | Sept. 14 at Central Oklahoma | |
3 | Grand Valley St. (Mich.) (1) | 1-0 | 650 | 4 | D. Central St. (Ohio), 58-0 | Sept. 14 at No. 22 Colorado St.-Pueblo | |
4 | Pittsburg St. (Kan.) | 2-0 | 623 | 6 | D. Missouri Southern St., 42-17 | Sept. 14 vs. No. 21 Emporia St. (Kan.) | |
5 | Colorado School of Mines | 1-0 | 599 | 5 | D. West Texas A&M, 41-13 | Sept. 14 at Washburn (Kan.) | |
6 | Valdosta St. (Ga.) | 2-0 | 567 | 7 | D. Newberry (S.C.), 27-14 | Sept. 14 vs. Fayetteville St. (N.C.) | |
7 | Ferris St. (Mich.) | 1-1 | 546 | 3 | D. Lake Erie (Ohio), 56-3 | Sept. 14 vs. Ashland (Ohio) | |
8 | Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.) | 1-0 | 491 | 9 | D. Bowie St. (Md.), 32-19 | Sept. 14 vs. Tiffin (Ohio) | |
9 | Kutztown (Pa.) | 1-0 | 468 | 10 | D. Assumption (Mass.), 24-6 | Sept. 14 vs. Edinboro (Pa.) | |
10 | Slippery Rock (Pa.) | 1-0 | 445 | 11 | D. New Haven (Conn.), 22-7 | Sept. 14 at Shepherd (W.Va.) | |
11 | Minnesota St. | 2-0 | 415 | 13 | D. No. 25 Bemidji St. (Minn.), 31-29 | Sept. 14 at Wayne St. (Neb.) | |
12 | West Florida | 1-0 | 410 | 12 | D. McKendree (Ill.), 38-6 | Sept. 21 vs. West Alabama | |
13 | Central Washington | 0-1 | 333 | 8 | Lost to San Diego (Calif.), 26-7 | Sept. 14 at Colorado Mesa | |
14 | Augustana (S.D.) | 1-0 | 318 | 14 | D. Mary (N.D.), 35-13 | Sept. 14 at South Dakota St. | |
15 | Western Colorado | 1-0 | 304 | 15 | D. Midwestern St. (Tex.), 38-33 | Sept. 14 at West Texas A&M | |
16 | Indianapolis (Ind.) | 1-0 | 298 | 16 | D. Hillsdale (Mich.), 42-16 | Sept. 14 vs. Truman St. (Mo.) | |
17 | Delta St. (Miss.) | 2-0 | 288 | 18 | D. Missouri S&T, 55-18 | Sept. 14 at Wingate (N.C.) | |
18 | Ouachita Baptist (Ark.) | 1-0 | 228 | 19 | D. Southwestern Oklahoma, 42-3 | Sept. 12 at Northwestern Oklahoma | |
19 | Minnesota-Duluth | 1-0 | 225 | 17 | Idle | Sept. 14 vs. Minnesota St.-Moorhead | |
20 | Charleston (W.Va.) | 2-0 | 131 | 23 | D. California (Pa.), 23-19 | Sept. 21 vs. North Carolina-Pembroke | |
21 | Emporia St. (Kan.) | 2-0 | 112 | NR | D. No. 24 Angelo St. (Tex.), 17-12 | Sept. 14 at No. 4 Pittsburg St. (Kan.) | |
22 | Colorado St.-Pueblo | 2-0 | 94 | NR | D. No. 21 Texas-Permian Basin, 40-23 | Sept. 14 vs. No. 3 Grand Valley St. (Mich.) | |
23 | Virginia Union | 1-1 | 84 | 20 | Lost to Hampton (Va.), 33-21 | Sept. 21 at Johnson C. Smith (N.C.) | |
24 | Henderson St. (Ark.) | 1-0 | 73 | NR | D. East Central (Okla.), 41-17 | Sept. 14 vs. Southeastern Oklahoma St. | |
25 | Fort Hays St. (Kan.) | 2-0 | 70 | NR | D. Missouri Western St., 30-16 | Sept. 14 at Northwest Missouri St. |
Dropped Out: Texas-Permian Basin (21), Northwest Missouri St. (22), Angelo St. (Tex.) (24), Bemidji St. (Minn.) (25)
Others Receiving Votes: Davenport (Mich.), 35; Tiffin (Ohio), 33; Wayne St. (Neb.), 30; Findlay (Ohio), 24; Texas-Permian Basin, 19; Bemidji St. (Minn.), 16; West Alabama, 15; Indiana (Pa.), 11; Southern Arkansas, 11; Wingate (N.C.), 10; Shepherd (W.Va.), 9; East Stroudsburg (Pa.), 8; East Central (Okla.), 3; Fayetteville St. (N.C.), 3; Nebraska-Kearney, 2; Shaw (N.C.), 2; Sioux Falls (S.D.), 2; Angelo St. (Tex.), 1; Colorado Mesa, 1; Frostburg St. (Md.), 1; Johnson C. Smith (N.C.), 1; Limestone (S.C.), 1; Minot St. (N.D.), 1; Virginia St., 1.
Rank | School (1st votes) | 2023 Rec. | Pts. | 2023 Rank | Season Opener | Head Coach | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Harding (Ark.) (25) | 15-0 | 672 | 1 | Sept. 5 vs. Southern Nazarene (Okla.) | Paul Simmons | |
2 | Central Missouri | 11-2 | 620 | 6 | Sept. 7 vs. Northeastern St. (Okla.) | Josh Lamberson | |
3 | Ferris St. (Mich.) (1) | 8-3 | 590 | 9 | Aug. 31 at No. 6 Pittsburg St. (Kan.) | Tony Annese | |
4 | Grand Valley St. (Mich.) (1) | 11-2 | 566 | 3 | Sept. 5 vs. Central St. (Ohio) | Scott Wooster | |
5 | Colorado School of Mines | 14-1 | 564 | 2 | Sept. 5 vs. West Texas A&M | Pete Sterbick | |
6 | Pittsburg St. (Kan.) | 11-2 | 540 | 5 | Aug. 31 vs. No. 3 Ferris St. (Mich.) | Tom Anthony | |
7 | Valdosta St. (Ga.) | 12-2 | 516 | 8 | Aug. 31 vs. Albany St. (Ga.) | Tremaine Jackson | |
8 | Central Washington | 9-4 | 418 | 17 | Sept. 7 at San Diego (Calif.) | Chris Fisk | |
9 | Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.) | 13-2 | 416 | 4 | Sept. 7 vs. Bowie St. (Md.) | Doug Socha | |
10 | Kutztown (Pa.) | 12-3 | 413 | 7 | Sept. 5 vs. Assumption (Mass.) | Jim Clements | |
11 | Slippery Rock (Pa.) | 12-2 | 384 | 10 | Sept. 7 vs. New Haven (Conn.) | Shawn Lutz | |
12 | West Florida | 8-4 | 330 | 23 | Sept. 5 vs. McKendree (Ill.) | Kaleb Nobles | |
13 | Minnesota St. | 9-3 | 232 | 21 | Aug. 29 at No. 22 Northwest Missouri St. | Todd Hoffner | |
14 | Augustana (S.D.) | 11-2 | 231 | 13 | Sept. 5 at Mary (N.D.) | Jerry Olszewski | |
15 | Western Colorado | 10-2 | 230 | 15 | Sept. 7 vs. Midwestern St. (Tex.) | Jas Bains | |
16 | Indianapolis (Ind.) | 9-2 | 216 | 22 | Sept. 7 at Hillsdale (Mich.) | Chris Keevers | |
17 | Minnesota-Duluth | 9-2 | 214 | 25 | Aug. 29 at Northern Michigan | Curt Wiese | |
18 | Delta St. (Miss.) | 10-2 | 212 | 11 | Aug. 29 at Mars Hill (N.C.) | Todd Cooley | |
19 | Ouachita Baptist (Ark.) | 9-2 | 209 | NR | Sept. 5 vs. Southwestern Oklahoma St. | Todd Knight | |
20 | Virginia Union | 10-2 | 183 | 20 | Aug. 31 at Kentucky St. | Alvin Parker | |
21 | Texas-Permian Basin | 10-2 | 169 | 18 | Aug. 31 vs. Western New Mexico | Kris McCullough | |
22 | Northwest Missouri St. | 7-4 | 167 | NR | Aug. 29 vs. No. 13 Minnesota St. | Rich Wright | |
23 | Charleston (W.Va.) | 10-2 | 102 | 19 | Aug. 31 at Livingstone (N.C.) | Quinn Sanders | |
24 | Angelo St. (Tex.) | 7-3 | 89 | NR | Aug. 29 at Fort Hays St. (Kan.) | Jeff Girsch | |
25 | Bemidji St. (Minn.) | 9-3 | 70 | 16 | Aug. 29 vs. Michigan Tech | Brent Bolte |
*– Ranking in final AFCA Division II Poll of 2023
Others Receiving Votes: Benedict (S.C.), 64; Henderson St. (Ark.), 56; Virginia St., 54; Tiffin (Ohio), 34; Southern Arkansas, 24; Ashland (Ohio), 21; Davenport (Mich.), 21; Wingate (N.C.), 20; Emporia St. (Kan.), 18; Colorado St.-Pueblo, 17; Albany St. (Ga.), 15; Findlay (Ohio), 14; Texas A&M-Kingsville, 12; California (Pa.), 11; Oklahoma Baptist, 11; Shepherd (W.Va.), 8; New Haven (Conn.), 7; Fort Hays St. (Kan.), 6; Wayne St. (Neb.), 3; East Stroudsburg (Pa.), 2; Truman St. (Mo.), 2; Fort Valley St. (Ga.), 1; Indiana (Pa.), 1.
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.
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. | Week 1 | Next Game | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | North Central (Ill.) (28) | 0-0 | 1227 | 1 | Idle | Sept. 14 at No. 13 Aurora (Ill.) | |
2 | Cortland (N.Y.) (21) | 1-0 | 1201 | 2 | D. Hilbert (N.Y.), 76-0 | Sept. 14 vs. Lycoming (Pa.) | |
3 | Wisconsin-Whitewater | 1-0 | 1140 | 3 | D. No. 20 John Carroll (Ohio), 34-7 | Sept. 14 at Roosevelt (Ill.) | |
4 | Mount Union (Ohio) (1) | 1-0 | 1058 | 5 | D. Ferrum (Va.), 55-6 | Sept. 21 vs. John Carroll (Ohio) | |
5 | Wisconsin-La Crosse | 1-0 | 1023 | 6 | D. Rensselaer (N.Y.), 35-0 | Sept. 14 vs. Northern Michigan | |
6 | Wartburg (Iowa) | 1-0 | 991 | 4 | D. Monmouth (Ill.), 38-24 | Sept. 14 at No. 12 St. John’s (Minn.) | |
7 | Johns Hopkins (Md.) | 1-0 | 918 | 8 | D. No. 19 Ithaca (N.Y.), 27-23 | Sept. 14 at Christopher Newport (Va.) | |
8 | Randolph-Macon (Va.) | 1-0 | 854 | 10 | D. Dickinson (Pa.), 47-21 | Sept. 14 vs. Hobart (N.Y.) | |
9 | Grove City (Pa.) | 1-0 | 780 | 11 | D. Geneva (Pa.), 41-0 | Sept. 21 at St. Vincent (Pa.) | |
10 | Wisconsin-River Falls | 1-0 | 729 | 17 | D. No. 7 Alma (Mich.), 41-35 | Sept. 21 vs. Greenville (Ill.) | |
11 | Susquehanna (Pa.) | 1-0 | 725 | 12 | D. Bridgewater (Va.), 41-7 | Sept. 14 vs. Brockport (N.Y.) | |
12 | St. John’s (Minn.) | 1-0 | 705 | 14 | D. Carthage (Wis.), 49-0 | Sept. 14 vs. No. 6 Wartburg (Iowa) | |
13 | Aurora (Ill.) | 1-0 | 598 | 15 | D. Dubuque (Iowa), 33-21 | Sept. 14 vs. No. 1 North Central (Ill.) | |
14 | Hardin-Simmons (Tex.) | 1-0 | 582 | 16 | D. Howard Payne (Tex.), 38-6 | Sept. 14 at Curry (Mass.) | |
15 | Endicott (Mass.) | 1-0 | 439 | 18 | D. St. Lawrence (N.Y.), 44-13 | Sept. 14 at No. 24 Ithaca (N.Y.) | |
16t. | Alma (Mich.) | 0-1 | 409 | 7 | Lost to No. 17 Wisconsin-River Falls, 41-35 | Sept. 14 at Denison (Ohio) | |
16t. | Linfield (Ore.) | 1-0 | 409 | 22 | D. Denison (Ohio), 31-7 | Sept. 14 at No. 18 Wisconsin-Oshkosh | |
18 | Wisconsin-Oshkosh | 1-0 | 407 | NR | D. No. 9 Wheaton (Ill.), 21-14 | Sept. 14 vs. No.16t Linfield (Ore.) | |
19 | Muhlenberg (Pa.) | 1-0 | 405 | 21 | D. Moravian (Pa.), 33-7 | Sept. 14 at Salisbury (Md.) | |
20 | Carnegie Mellon (Pa.) | 1-0 | 334 | 23 | D. Thiel (Pa.), 58-0 | Sept. 14 vs. Geneva (Pa.) | |
21 | Berry (Ga.) | 1-0 | 286 | 24 | D. Huntingdon (Ala.), 43-7 | Sept. 14 vs. No. 25 DePauw (Ind.) | |
22 | Wheaton (Ill.) | 0-1 | 246 | 9 | Lost to Wisconsin-Oshkosh, 21-14 | Sept. 21 vs. Augustana (Ill.) | |
23 | Whitworth (Wash.) | 1-0 | 222 | 25 | D. Gustavus Adolphus (Minn.), 40-7 | Sept. 14 vs. Eastern Oregon | |
24 | Ithaca (N.Y.) | 0-1 | 118 | 19 | Lost to No. 8 Johns Hopkins (Md.), 27-23 | Sept. 14 vs. No. 15 Endicott (Mass.) | |
25 | DePauw (Ind.) | 1-0 | 73 | NR | D. Rose-Hulman (In.), 57-14 | Sept. 14 at No. 21 Berry (Ga.) | |
Dropped Out: Trinity (Tex.) (13), John Carroll (Ohio) (20)
Others Receiving Votes: Wisconsin-Platteville, 68; Bethel (Minn.), 59; Trinity (Tex.), 53; John Carroll (Ohio), 45; Washing & Jefferson (Pa.), 23; Christoper Newport (Va.), 19; Delaware Valley (Pa.), 18; Texas Lutheran, 15; Wabash (Ind.), 15; Illinois College, 13; Coe (Iowa), 11; Mary Hardin-Baylor (Tex.), 10; Marietta (Ohio), 6; Washington (Mo.), 6; Salisbury (Md.), 4; Springfield (Mass.), 3; Utica (N.Y), 2; Central (Iowa), 1.
Rank | School (1st votes) | 2023 Rec. | Pts. | 2023 Rank* | Season Opener | Head Coach | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | North Central (Ill.) (26) | 14-1 | 1225 | 2 | Sept. 14 at No. 15 Aurora (Ill.) | Brad Spencer | |
2 | Cortland (N.Y.) (24) | 14-1 | 1195 | 1 | Sept. 7 at Hilbert (N.Y.) | Curt Fitzpatrick | |
3 | Wisconsin-Whitewater | 11-2 | 1102 | 5 | Sept. 7 vs. No. 20 John Carroll (Ohio) | Jace Rindahl | |
4 | Wartburg (Iowa) | 13-1 | 1057 | 3 | Sept. 7 at Monmouth (Ill.) | Chris Winter | |
5 | Mount Union (Ohio) | 11-1 | 1042 | 9 | Sept. 7 at Ferrum (Va.) | Geoff Dartt | |
6 | Wisconsin-La Crosse | 11-2 | 1008 | 4 | Sept. 5 at Rensselaer (N.Y.) | Matt Janus | |
7 | Alma (Mich.) | 12-1 | 934 | 7 | Sept. 7 vs. No. 17 Wisconsin-River Falls | Jason Couch | |
8 | Johns Hopkins (Md.) | 12-1 | 836 | 8 | Sept. 7 at No. 19 Ithaca (N.Y.) | Dan Wodicka | |
9 | Wheaton (Ill.) | 10-2 | 779 | 13 | Sept. 7 at Wisconsin-Oshkosh | Jesse Scott | |
10 | Randolph-Macon (Va.) | 13-1 | 738 | 6 | Sept. 6 at Dickinson (Pa.) | Pedro Arruza | |
11 | Grove City (Pa.) | 11-1 | 697 | 10 | Sept. 7 vs. Geneva (Pa.) | Andrew DiDonato | |
12 | Susquehanna (Pa.) | 10-1 | 604 | 14 | Sept. 6 vs. Bridgewater (Va.) | Tom Perkovich | |
13 | Trinity (Tex.) | 10-2 | 600 | 11 | Sept. 7 vs. Texas Lutheran | Jerheme Urban | |
14 | St. John’s (Minn.) | 8-2 | 577 | 22 | Sept. 7 vs. Carthage (Wis.) | Gary Fasching | |
15 | Aurora (Ill.) | 11-1 | 529 | 12 | Sept. 6 at Dubuque (Iowa) | Don Beebe | |
16 | Hardin-Simmons (Tex.) | 9-2 | 517 | 17 | Sept. 7 at Howard Payne (Tex.) | Jesse Burleson | |
17 | Wisconsin-River Falls | 7-3 | 427 | NR | Sept. 7 at No. 7 Alma (Mich.) | Matt Walker | |
18 | Endicott (Mass.) | 9-2 | 356 | 15 | Sept. 7 at St. Lawrence (N.Y.) | Paul McGonagle | |
19 | Ithaca (N.Y.) | 9-3 | 294 | 18 | Sept. 7 vs. No. 8 Johns Hopkins (Md.) | Michael Toerper | |
20 | John Carroll (Ohio) | 8-2 | 287 | 25 | Sept. 7 at No. 3 Wisconsin-Whitewater | Jeff Behrman | |
21 | Muhlenberg (Pa.) | 10-1 | 248 | 19 | Sept. 7 at Moravian (Pa.) | Nate Milne | |
22 | Linfield (Ore.) | 8-1 | 228 | 24 | Sept. 7 vs. Denison (Ohio) | Joseph Smith | |
23 | Carnegie Mellon (Pa.) | 10-1 | 190 | NR | Sept. 7 at Thiel (Pa.) | Ryan Larsen | |
24 | Berry (Ga.) | 9-1 | 177 | 23 | Sept. 7 at Huntingdon (Ala.) | Tony Kunczewski | |
25 | Whitworth (Wash.) | 10-1 | 155 | 16 | Sept. 7 at Gustavus Adolphus (Minn.) | Rod Sandberg | |
*– Ranking in final AFCA Division III Poll of 2023
Others Receiving Votes: Mary Hardin-Baylor (Tex.), 111; Bethel (Minn.), 56; Wisconsin-Platteville, 52; Wisconsin-Oshkosh, 39; DePauw (Ind.), 37; Union (N.Y.), 35; Delaware Valley (Pa.), 23; Wabash (Ind.), 22; Coe (Iowa), 20; Washington & Jefferson (Pa.), 14; Illinois College, 10; Mount St. Joseph (Ohio), 7; Christopher Newport (Va.), 5; Washington (Mo.), 5; Belhaven (Miss.), 3; Rensselaer (N.Y.), 3; Huntingdon (Ala.), 2; Springfield (Mass.), 2; Central (Iowa), 1; Wisconsin-Stout, 1.