Every Monday, we will be releasing our FCS Spring Football Rankings, with some of the major storylines over the weekend. This week, NDSU finally makes the jump to number one. While the Bison do have the top spot locked down at the moment, that could all change come Saturday when they take on (3) South Dakota State.
Other than the shift at the top, our rankings remained mostly the same, with a little bit of movement at the bottom of our poll. Let’s check out our updated FCS Rankings, to go along with some of the big storylines throughout the country.
FCS Rankings
- North Dakota State (6-1, 5-1) (Defeated Northern Iowa 23-20)
- Weber State (5-0, 5-0) (Defeated Idaho State 20-15)*
- South Dakota State (4-1, 4-1) (Idle)
- James Madison (4-0, 2-0) (Idle)
- Sam Houston State (5-0, 5-0) (Defeated McNeese State 27-13)
- North Dakota (4-1, 4-1) (Idle)
- Delaware (4-0, 3-0) (Defeated Delaware State 34-14)
- Eastern Washington (5-1, 5-1) (Defeated Idaho 38-31)
- Jacksonville State (9-2, 6-1) (Defeated Murray State 28-14)
- Monmouth (3-0, 3-0) (Defeated Kennesaw State 42-17)
Games to Watch This Week
I usually don’t post anything in this section other than the games, but this weekend will be different. This Saturday, April 18th, we have two of the biggest matchups of the entire FCS Spring Football season. At 3:30, (3) South Dakota State will travel to the Fargodome and take on (1) NDSU, with the MVFC title on the line. On top of that, (4) James Madison got lucky and were able to schedule rival Richmond for this weekend. Both teams have aspirations of playing in the postseason and this game could decide their fates. Also in the CAA, (7) Delaware will travel to rival Richmond with a lot at stake.
- (3) South Dakota State at (1) NDSU (Saturday April 17th, 3:30 PM ET)
- Richmond at (4) James Madison (Saturday April 17th, 2 PM ET)
- (7) Delaware at Villanova (Saturday April 17th, 1 PM ET)
FCS Spring Football Top-10 Headlines | College Football News
(1) NDSU football finished their ascension to the top of the FCS rankings, with a huge victory at Northern Iowa on Saturday. Just before halftime, Bison receiver Christian Watson returned a kick 100 yards for a touchdown, giving the Bison a 7-6 lead heading into the break. The Bison gave up a late touchdown, but were able to secure the win when the Panthers couldn’t score on their last drive. The biggest game of the year, versus (3) South Dakota State, looms in the distance.
(2) Weber State defeated Idaho State to secure the Big Sky Conference’s automatic bid to the postseason. Freshman quarterback Bronson Barron was the best player on the field, as he threw for a touchdown and 256 yards. All the Wildcats can do now is wait to see where and when their next game is.
(3) South Dakota State was idle this weekend, but I’m sure it wasn’t a regular bye-week. Up next for the Jackrabbits is the Bison from (1) NDSU. Playing in the Fargodome is tough for opponents, I can only imagine what the scene will look like on Saturday afternoon.
(4) James Madison was idle once again this weekend. However, the Dukes were fortunate enough get a game with Richmond scheduled. The CAA outlook on the FCS playoffs is tough to gauge. The Dukes seems like a lock for the post-season, and they should be. The only question left is who else from the CAA will join them?
(5) Sam Houston State took care of business this past weekend, beating McNeese State at Bowers Stadium, 27-13. Eric Schmid had one of the worst games of his season, completing only 50% of his passes and throwing two interceptions. The Bearkats will be hoping the veteran quarterback can turn it around next weekend versus Incarnate Word.
The Fighting Hawks of (6) North Dakota haven’t played a game since March 20th. If all goes to plan, they will travel to Youngstown State to close out the regular season. The Hawks are also in a peculiar situation regarding the postseason. From what I’ve seen, they should be a lock to make the postseason. However, the Bison and Jackrabbits should be a lock as well. It would be wise for the Hawks to win and put up some style points on Saturday.
(7) Delaware beat up on rival Delaware State on Saturday, 38-14. Hens’ running back Dejoun Lee was a lightning bolt all game, rushing 14 times for 109 yards and two touchdowns. The Blue Hens will take on a tough Villanova team this weekend. Beating the Wildcats would be a huge step in the right direction for the Hens.
The Eagles of (8) Eastern Washington took care of business over the weekend. They beat Idaho, 38-31, to strengthen their postseason resume. With the regular season over for the Hawks, they can sit and wait to see who they play. I have to tell you, if I’m a team striving for the postseason, I would not want to play the Eagles in the first round.
(9) Jacksonville State beat Murray State, 28-14, on Sunday afternoon to secure the Ohio Valley Conference Championship and it’s automatic playoff bid. The Gamecocks have played in 11 games this year, including the fall. They are a strong postseason candidate. That is, if they have enough gas left in the tank.
Making their top-10 debut is (10) Monmouth. The Hawks claimed their second straight Big South Conference Title by defeating Kennesaw State 42-17 this weekend. Quarterback Tony Muskett was spectacular on the day, throwing for almost 300-yards, and four touchdowns. The Hawks will not be an easy out in the postseason.
