News/Commentary

FCS Coaches' Poll: Tarleton jumps 5 spots to share 3rd after scoring upset at Army

September 2, 2025 by AFCA.com, CFPoll.com staff

Tarleton's 30-27 double-overtime upset at FBS member Army West Point has lifted the Texans five spots into a 3rd-place tie in the US LBM Coaches Poll, released Tuesday morning. The poll is conducted by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA).

It was Tarleton’s first road victory over an FBS opponent in program history, and just the second win ever over an FBS opponent. The Texans are tied with Montana State which dropped a spot after being blasted 59-13 at FBS member Oregon.

North Dakota State remains the No. 1 team with 25 first-place votes after the Bison blanked The Citadel, 38-0 in Charleston, South Carolina.

South Dakota State took Montana State's place at No. 2 after securing a 20-3 win at home over then-No. 14 Sacramento State. The Jackrabbits and Hornets were both debuting new head coaches with Dan Jackson succeeding Jimmy Rogers at SDSU after Rogers resigned to accept the same position with FBS member Washington State. Brennan Marion replaced Andy Thompson at Sacramento State after serving two seasons as the offensive coordinator at FBS member UNLV.

The rankings set up a 2 vs. 3 showdown this Saturday when the Jacks visit the Bobcats.

UC Davis climbs two spots to round-out the top five after knocking off Utah Tech, 31-24, in St. George.

See: Congrove Computer Rankings

Learn more at AFCA.com.

Rank School (1st votes) W-L Points LW
1 North Dakota St. (25) 1-0 649 1
2 South Dakota St. 1-0 586 3
3t. Montana St. 0-1 567 2
3t. Tarleton St. (1) 2-0 567 8
5 UC Davis 1-0 469 7
6 South Dakota 0-1 465 5
7 Illinois St. 0-1 446 6
8 Rhode Island 1-0 440 10
9 UIW 1-1 412 4
10 Montana 0-0 402 9
11 Idaho 0-1 384 12
12 Villanova 0-0 338 13
13 Lehigh 1-0 291 15
14 Jackson St. 1-0 268 17
15 Southern Illinois 1-0 239 20
16 Sacramento St. 0-1 213 14
17 ACU 0-1 211 16
18 Monmouth (N.J.) 1-0 184 21
19 Northern Arizona 0-1 167 18
20 Tennessee Tech 1-0 159 22t
21 Mercer 0-1 156 11
22 North Dakota 0-1 95 NR
23 Stephen F. Austin 0-1 60 24
24 East Tennessee St. 1-0 58 NR
25t. Nicholls 1-1 57 NR
25t. Western Carolina 0-1 57 19

Dropped Out: Richmond (22t), Stony Brook (25)

Others Receiving Votes: Austin Peay, 55; Richmond, 44; Furman, 41; South Carolina St., 40; Southern Utah, 36; New Hampshire, 30; Stony Brook, 30; UT Martin, 22; Northern Iowa, 21; Northern Colorado, 17; Youngstown St., 17; Cal Poly, 16; North Carolina Central, 15; Harvard, 14; Dartmouth, 13; Eastern Washington, 12; Idaho St., 12; Chattanooga, 10; Lafayette, 10; Tennessee St., 10; Southeastern Louisiana, 8; Holy Cross, 7; Albany, 6; Central Arkansas, 5; Princeton, 4; William & Mary, 4; Gardner-Webb, 3; Presbyterian, 3; Indiana St., 2; McNeese, 2; West Georgia, 1.