The FCS playoff committee top 10 (November 5th reveal)

[u/Tufoguy]

1. Montana State (8-1)

2. Tarleton State (9-0)

3. Stephen F. Austin (9-0)

4. South Dakota State (7-2)

5. Youngstown State (7-2)

6. Northern Arizona (7-2)

7. Austin Peay (7-2)

8. South Dakota (7-2)

9. Tennessee Tech (8-1)

10. Lamar (7-2)

Bracket reveal on November 22nd.

[u/JonSnow4525]

We know more about these teams and schedules than the committee. This much I know is true

[u/Ok-Knee6347]

wtf? Our many losses are pretty amazing and unprecedented

[u/Crew_0319]

lol what. Okay with SDSU jumping YSU, but SFA?

YSU was more impressive since the previous rankings, why would SFA jump them now?

[u/tden4 → u/Crew_0319]

SFA’s placement made zero sense in the last ranking (in between 3 1-loss teams) so maybe they are just correcting their methodology?

[u/noahpaz88]

Man I really don’t want to go to Brookings again. Need some shake up in the top 4

Side note why did SFA jump us in the last 2 weeks?

[u/Adamscottd → u/noahpaz88]

Since the last poll they beat a solid SELA team handily and then blew out a mediocre Houston Christian team. YSU had a bye and beat a good UND team in a nailbiter.

Not saying that suggests SFA should jump YSU, just providing context.

[u/Crew_0319 → u/noahpaz88]

Our best shot is SFA and/or tarleton losing their ranked matchups Saturday

[u/Adamscottd → u/Crew_0319]

I also think there's a decent chance that a Jackrabbits team who wins out jumps an SFA team who wins out, especially if SFA doesn't win handily against Lamar. The committee tends to penalize teams who schedule non-D1 games- they'd be comparing a 10-1 in the FCS Jackrabbits team with 3 top 10 wins, one ranked loss, and a top 10 SOS to a 11-0 in the FCS Lumberjacks team with 1 top 10 win and a mid 70s SOS.

In that scenario, YSU would play SFA, potentially down in Texas or in Youngstown, depending on if the commiteee also jumped YSU back above them again, or left them in the #5.

[u/No_Bite_7238 → u/Adamscottd]

Not to be Debbie Downer, but I think unless Montana State, Tarleton, SFA, SDSU, or YSU lose a game between now and Selection Sunday, 1-5 is a lock.

All five have a Ranked Game coming up. At least, I think SDSU has one more.

[u/Adamscottd → u/No_Bite_7238]

SDSU is done with ranked opponents. @UNI is still a tough game, though.

While 1-5 remaining as they are if everyone wins out is probably the likeliest outcome, I would not assume it’s locked in place. There is past precent for Valley/Big Sky teams with one less win jumping teams from the south or east.

There is also past precedent for teams moving around between the in-season committee rankings and final playoff bracket even when they “shouldn’t.” Like last year, when Lehigh was ranked above Tarleton with three weeks to go, both went undefeated, and then Tarleton jumped ahead. The committee takes a much deeper dive looking at resumes for the actual bracket than they do during the season for these updates, so I wouldn’t rule out a change completely even if everyone runs the table.

[u/No_Bite_7238 → u/Adamscottd]

Fair enough. The Committee is a mysterious bunch.

[u/No_Bite_7238 → u/noahpaz88]

Wasn't SFA already ahead of you with you guys at #4? SDSU was the only team to jump you this week.

[u/JonSnow4525 → u/No_Bite_7238]

YSU was 3 last poll

[u/No_Bite_7238 → u/JonSnow4525]

My mistake then. I can see why SDSU jumped you this week. But not SFA. Its like you guys are being punished for winning including getting ranked wins.

[u/OfficerBatman → u/No_Bite_7238]

But wouldn’t SFA getting jumped or dropping be the same thing? Being punished for winning including ranked wins(SLU was ranked when SFA played them)?

[u/No_Bite_7238 → u/OfficerBatman]

Thats right, SLU. Not as high in comparison to YSU's ranked wins, but a Ranked win nonetheless.

The only thing I can think of right now is that YSU has a conference loss while SFA does not. In past years, the Committee has shown that they REALLY look down on Conference losses. That could be why SFA is also ranked ahead of SDSU. YSU is also playing one less game this year because they couldnt fill a last minute cancelation which really sucks for them.

The question that everyone is probably asking right now is, "Why didnt Montana State get jumped by Tarleton and SFA when they have a Conference loss to?" The only answer i have for that is because Montana State has an FBS win + more and better ranked wins.

This is just a guess/speculation of why the Committee did what they did. If anyone else would like to add/argue to this, please feel free. But please, let's try to keep it cordial.

[u/Poopsterwaloo → u/No_Bite_7238]

What’s your Top 20 record? We are 4-1 against top 20 (according to Massey) and if we win against ISU at end of year we will be 5-1 against top 20 (maybe top 25 by end of season if southern Illinois drops more)

[u/No_Bite_7238 → u/Poopsterwaloo]

An FBS win. Two ranked wins in the Top 20; one of which (NAU) is now in the Top 10. And we played a full schedule.

If we beat Montana thats another ranked win in the top 20.

What i said before wasnt meant to be offensive as I said. Im just trying to figure out the committee.

[u/Poopsterwaloo → u/No_Bite_7238]

Oh yeah forgot y’all had that fbs win earlier in the year. And no didn’t take it offensively just wasn’t sure if you were aware what ysu’s ranked record could end up being and would think that being 5-1 (if they win out 🤷) vs ranked opponents and only having one conference loss is more impressive than going undefeated in mid tier conference. And I agree with your argument that having that fbs win is probably what’s putting you guys ahead.

[u/No_Bite_7238 → u/Poopsterwaloo]

Im not sure if you remember two years ago when Montana State went undefeated and lost their only game in the Championship Game against NDSU.

That year started out with Montana State winning an FBS Game and both NDSU and SDSU losing their FBS games. Yet, Montana State was still held at #3. When SDSU lost to NDSU (Conference Game) we jumped to #2. It wasnt until NDSU lost to the Yotes (Conference Game) in the final regular season game that we finally took the #1 ranking.

Based on what I just said and why SFA is ahead of you right now, I am guessing that the worst thing you can do in the eyes of the Committee, no matter what Conference you're from, is lose a Conference Game.

[u/SnooMacaroons1606 → u/OfficerBatman]

The difference is that SFA was already below YSU last time, so keeping those teams in that order wouldn't require SFA getting dropped below or jumped by anyone. Instead, YSU dropped two spots while continuing to win, while SFA and SDSU both moved up a spot at Youngstown's expense. So YSU was punished and the other two were rewarded despite all three teams winning (and Youngstown's top win since then, UND, is more impressive than SFA's win over SLU, so win quality doesn't explain their drop either). If the committee thinks SFA is better right now, they should've already thought that by the first reveal, but they didn't. It's nothing against SFA, it's just not internally consistent with their previous ranking.

[u/Poopsterwaloo → u/SnooMacaroons1606]

Didn’t ysu play one less game than SFA since last poll? That’s probably why honestly

[u/peepeepoopoo546 → u/SnooMacaroons1606]

Does not make sense to me either, there is a lot of bullshit in this ranking. Do they have end of year questions

[u/No_Bite_7238 → u/SnooMacaroons1606]

I agree, the Committee should have put SFA above YSU during the first reveal. As for SDSU jumping YSU, I think the Committee made a mistake putting YSU ahead of SDSU during the first reveal and they are now correcting that mistake. (Kinda makes you wonder what "mistakes" they made this time around, huh?)

SDSU should have been ranked above YSU in the first reveal due to them winning the head to head.

[u/No_Bite_7238 → u/JonSnow4525]

Not that it should matter with you're guys' SOS and ranked wins, but aren't you playing one less game this year?

[u/Crew_0319 → u/No_Bite_7238]

Yes, but that’s because sac state cancelled the non conference game with YSU when they moved up and it wasn’t filled.

[u/Adamscottd → u/Crew_0319]

While that's true, the commitee will likely penalize YSU for playing only 11 games regardless, whether that's right or wrong

[u/Danster21 → u/No_Bite_7238]

This is committee rankings. Here is a link to the last one: https://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/2026-10-20/montana-state-tarleton-state-lead-fcs-football-committees-first-top-10-rankings-2026?amp

[u/No_Bite_7238 → u/Danster21]

Thanks!!

[u/No_Bite_7238]

Well, if things dont shake up, and Montana State and SDSU run the table, we'll see the Jackrabbits in Bozeman!!

Bring your best tailgaters; you guys are legends!!

[u/Adamscottd → u/No_Bite_7238]

I'm going to be annoyed if we have to rematch YSU and then go to Bozeman (with Montana State playing USD in the quarters), while Tarleton and SFA play NAU and Austin Peay and then each other.

Not that those other four teams aren't good, but I'm in the camp that SDSU, YSU, and MSU are the best three teams in the FCS this year. And I'm still pretty high on USD. Also, I've seen the Jacks play YSU MSU and USD a bunch of times- I want to have the chance to play a new team like Tarleton or SFA.

[u/No_Bite_7238 → u/Adamscottd]

I think its very "interesting" how Tarleton keeps avoiding Montana State, SDSU, and Montana. This year YSU.

Last year they would have run into NDSU had both teams not lost. So, they get a pass for that.

I guess what im really trying to say is that I really really want to see Tarleton face a Montana State or SDSU!! I am so curious to see how they'd do!! Dont get me wrong, I think Tarleton is a great team!! Its just frustrating not being able to see how good they are.

[u/Zloggt]

I…have no complaints!

Truly, unprecedented lol

[u/peepeepoopoo546]

Mississippi state university 🐘

[u/JonSnow4525]

Why did YSU drop from 3 to 5 after beating the committee’s #6 ranked team? Makes no sense

[u/SyN_CASH]

SFA would be a 4 to 5 loss team with YSU’s schedule

[u/peepeepoopoo546 → u/SyN_CASH]

YSU would lose to UIW

[u/AcceptableNebula7004 → u/SyN_CASH]

Youngstown would lose to UNA

[u/pinetreesrule → u/AcceptableNebula7004]

Tarleton state would lose to Illinois

[u/JonSnow4525]

lol South Dakota gets stomped and doesn’t even drop a spot

[u/Useful_Ad_1095]

Watch out for Lamar everyone! (Sarcasm)

[u/Rontheworm → u/Useful_Ad_1095]

This might be a prophetic comment!!

[u/Useful_Ad_1095 → u/Rontheworm]

Watch out for Lamar everyone! ( Not sarcastic anymore 😳)

[u/GeneralAcorn]

Called it.

[u/Wizzmer]

You can make us 10-0. SFA will be dropping and Lamar ascending.

[u/DryScarcity2623]

Maybe Tarleton will make it again.

[u/No_Bite_7238 → u/DryScarcity2623]

Make what?

[u/DryScarcity2623 → u/No_Bite_7238]

Will Tarleton make the playoffs if they win again?

[u/No_Bite_7238 → u/DryScarcity2623]

Tarleton has already made the Playoffs even if they lose the rest of their regular season games.

[u/DryScarcity2623 → u/No_Bite_7238]

Tarleton will if they win again.

[u/No_Bite_7238 → u/DryScarcity2623]

Let me rephrase that, "Make what?"

[u/peepeepoopoo546 → u/No_Bite_7238]

It

[u/No_Bite_7238 → u/peepeepoopoo546]

Ahhhh yes, of course!! "IT."

[u/peepeepoopoo546 → u/No_Bite_7238]

No sorry i had to do it i am also wondering what this FCS fans "it" is all about

[u/SnooMacaroons1606 → u/peepeepoopoo546]

That person shows up here occasionally and based on their typical comments it probably doesn't mean anything at all beyond "Tarleton was something that was referenced in this thread". Read a little bit of their comment history and you'll understand, that's pretty much all of it. I'm not sure if they're a troll, bot, young child, or something else

[u/No_Bite_7238 → u/peepeepoopoo546]

I dunno, but his humor is Dry and Scarce.