The offseason in college football is filled with unanticipated advancements and surprises, similar to the action-packed routine season. With the transfer market activity unwinding, Craig Haley provides an upgraded take a look at the FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) football preseason Top 25 rankings following North Dakota State’s current champion victory.

Is modification constantly considered as … unfavorable?

This point of view encapsulates the essence of the Never-Too-Early FCS Top 25 Rankings, where stability and very little variations are extremely valued.

As we approach the 2024 season, the leading 10 rankings have actually stayed constant considering that January, without any brand-new entries amongst the leading groups. While the very same ten groups continue to control the landscape, their rankings have actually experienced small changes.

The continuous pattern of gamers moving from FCS to FBS programs is a substantial element that cannot be neglected when examining the preseason rankings. Furthermore, groups like Southern Illinois, Western Carolina, and Abilene Christian have actually made impactful additions through transfers, which has actually affected their positioning in the rankings.

This marks the start of 56 votes that will be tallied for the preseason Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll on August 4.

The timeline is quickly approaching – with 100 days staying till the start of the 2025 season on May 15. Following that, attention will move to Nashville, Tennessee, the host city for the FCS national championship set up for January 5.

Comprehensive Overview of Craig Haley’s FCS Football Preseason Top 25 Rankings

1. North Dakota State Bison: A Legacy of Success

• Final 2024 Record: 14-2, 7-1 MVFC; Never-Too-Early Ranking: 1
• Key Matchups to Watch: South Dakota (Sept. 27); at South Dakota State (Oct. 25)
• Highlights: Even with the departure of Jerry Rice Award winning running back CharMar Brown, the Bison keep a strong champion custom. This strength streams from head coach Tim Polasek to standout gamers like pass receiver Bryce Lance, linebacker Logan Kopp, and experienced strength coach Jim Kramer, who has actually been important to all 10 of the Bison’s FCS nationwide titles.

2. Montana State Bobcats: Ready to Compete

• Final 2024 Record: 15-1, 8-0; Never-Too-Early Ranking: 4
• Key Matchups to Watch: South Dakota State (Sept. 6); at Montana (Nov. 22)
• Highlights: With the addition of FBS transfer quarterback Justin Lamson and running back Adam Jones, the Bobcats will have a revamped offending line. This line will be led by Titan Fleischmann and JT Reed. Under the assistance of coach Brent Vigen, their schedule includes considerable early obstacles versus groups like Oregon and South Dakota State, in addition to later tests versus UC Davis and Montana.

3. UIW Cardinals: Offense in Focus

• Final 2024 Record: 11-3, 7-0 Southland; Never-Too-Early Ranking: 3
• Key Matchups to Watch: Abilene Christian (Sept. 27); Stephen F. Austin (Oct. 4)
• Highlights: The transfer website has its ups and downs, as evidenced by the losses of pass receiver Roy Alexander and running back Dekalon Taylor due to injuries. However, the Cardinals still have a powerful offense including All-America receivers Jalen Walthall and Chedon James, who are anticipated to keep their high level of efficiency.

4. South Dakota Coyotes: Navigating Change

• Final 2024 Record: 11-3, 7-1 MVFC; Never-Too-Early Ranking: 2
• Key Matchups to Watch: at North Dakota State (Sept. 27); South Dakota State (Nov. 8)
• Highlights: The Coyotes deal with obstacles with the loss of essential offending linemen and their prominent deal with Gary Bryant III considering that their early-season ranking of No. 2. Under first-year head coach Travis Johansen, the focus will be on quarterback Aidan Bouman, who holds a strong beginning record of 22-9, and running back Charles Pierre Jr. as they regroup for the upcoming season.

5. South Dakota State Jackrabbits: Aiming for Glory

• Final 2024 Record: 12-3, 7-1 MVFC; Never-Too-Early Ranking: 5
• Key Matchups to Watch: North Dakota State (Oct. 25); at South Dakota (Nov. 8)
• Highlights: Following the graduation of essential gamers and some transfer losses, brand-new head coach Dan Jackson has actually brought a sense of renewal to the program with a training personnel well-acquainted with the MVFC. Quarterback Chase Mason will lead a gifted getting corps, matched by the addition of previous Fordham running back Julius Loughridge.

(Jackrabbits lead the FCS in overall wins throughout the 2020s)

6. Illinois State Redbirds: Poised for Competition

• Final 2024 Record: 10-4, 6-2 MVFC; Never-Too-Early Ranking: 6
• Key Matchups to Watch: North Dakota State (Oct. 4); South Illinois (Nov. 22)
• Highlights: The Redbirds will deal with hard obstacles with both South Dakota and South Dakota State on the roadway. Quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse leads a gifted lineup that appears prepared to handle these powerful challengers.

7. Rhode Island Rams: Building Momentum

• Final 2024 Record: 11-3, 7-1 CAA; Never-Too-Early Ranking: 8
• Key Matchups to Watch: at Stony Brook (Sept. 6); New Hampshire (Oct. 11)
• Highlights: The return of first-team All-America linebacker A.J. Pena from Memphis represents a substantial increase for the Rams. The offending line, led by Brock Bethea, boasts a combined overall of 57 starts from the previous season, boosting their potential customers for the upcoming video games.

8. Montana Grizzlies: Strengthening Their Game

• Final 2024 Record: 9-5, 5-3 Big Sky; Never-Too-Early Ranking: 7
• Key Matchups to Watch: Idaho (Sept. 27); Montana State (Nov. 22)
• Highlights: After beginning the season with a bye week, the Grizzlies, having actually reinforced their lineup through transfers, are set to delight in a beneficial schedule with 8 home video games, postponing their very first roadway contest till October. Running back Eli Gillman stands apart as a unique skill, being the only Jerry Rice Award winner in the 2020s not to move to the FBS level.

9. Villanova Wildcats: Rising to the Challenge

• Final 2024 Record: 10-4, 6-2 CAA; Never-Too-Early Ranking: 9
• Key Matchups to Watch: at Monmouth (Sept. 20); Stony Brook (Nov. 15)
• Highlights: Redshirt senior linebacker Shane Hartzell is on the brink of ending up being the 4th gamer in Villanova history to accomplish 400 profession takes on, a testimony to his persistence and ability on the field. With a strong offending line including Jake Picard and Temi Ajirotutu, this season provides an exceptional chance for the Wildcats in the competitive CAA landscape.

10. Tarleton State Texans: Building for the Future

• Final 2024 Record: 10-4, 6-2 UAC; Never-Too-Early Ranking: 10
• Key Matchups to Watch: Chattanooga (Sept. 20); at Abilene Christian (Nov. 1)
• Highlights: Under the management of coach Todd Whitten, the Texans have actually accomplished 5 successive gaining seasons considering that transferring to Division I. As running back Braelon Bridges and pass receiver Cody Jackson enter bigger functions, they are anticipated to make considerable contributions to the group’s success.

11. Sacramento State Hornets: Overcoming Challenges

• Final 2024 Record: 3-9, 1-7 Big Sky; Never-Too-Early Ranking: 12
• Key Matchups to Watch: at South Dakota State (Aug. 30); at UC Davis (Nov. 22)

12. Lehigh Mountain Hawks: Seeking Excellence

• Final 2024 Record: 9-4, 5-1 Patriot; Never-Too-Early Ranking: 13
• Key Matchups to Watch: Richmond (Aug. 30); at Lafayette (Nov. 22)

13. Idaho Vandals: Ready to Compete

• Final 2024 Record: 10-4, 6-2 Big Sky; Never-Too-Early Ranking: 11
• Key Matchups to Watch: at Montana (Sept. 27); at Eastern Washington (Oct. 18)

14. Mercer Bears: Building a Strong Foundation

• Final 2024 Record: 11-3, 7-1 SoCon; Never-Too-Early Ranking: 14
• Key Matchups to Watch: UC Davis (Aug. 23); at Western Carolina (Nov. 8)

15. UC Davis Aggies: Looking Forward

• Final 2024 Record: 11-3, 7-1 Big Sky; Never-Too-Early Ranking: 15
• Key Matchups to Watch: at Montana State (Nov. 15); Sacramento State (Nov. 22)

16. Southern Illinois Salukis: Aiming to Rebound

• Final 2024 Record: 4-8, 2-6 MVFC; Never-Too-Early Ranking: NR
• Key Matchups to Watch: at Southeast Missouri (Sept. 20); at Youngstown State (Nov. 8)

17. Monmouth Hawks: Striving for Improvement

• Final 2024 Record: 6-6, 4-4 CAA; Never-Too-Early Ranking: 16
• Key Matchups to Watch: Villanova (Sept. 20); Stony Brook (Oct. 18)

18. Southern Utah Thunderbirds: Aiming Higher

• Final 2024 Record: 7-5, 6-2 UAC; Never-Too-Early Ranking: 18
• Key Matchups to Watch: at UC Davis (Sept. 20); at Tarleton State (Oct. 4)

19. Stony Brook Seawolves: On the Rise

• Final 2024 Record: 8-4, 5-3 CAA; Never-Too-Early Ranking: 17
• Key Matchups to Watch: Rhode Island (Sept. 6); at Villanova (Nov. 15)

20. Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles: Pursuing Excellence

• Final 2024 Record: 7-5, 5-2 Big South-OVC; Never-Too-Early Ranking: 19
• Key Matchups to Watch: at Tennessee State (Sept. 27); UT Martin (Nov. 22)

21. Western Carolina Catamounts: Ready to Compete

• Final 2024 Record: 7-5, 6-2 SoCon; Never-Too-Early Ranking: NR
• Key Matchups to Watch: at Chattanooga (Nov. 1); Mercer (Nov. 8)

22. Jackson State Tigers: Legacy in the Making

• Final 2024 Record: 12-2, 8-0 SWAC; Never-Too-Early Ranking: 21
• Key Matchups to Watch: at Southern (Sept. 27); at Florida A&M (Nov. 1)

23. Harvard Crimson: Striving for Greatness

• Final 2024 Record: 8-2, 5-2 Ivy; Never-Too-Early Ranking: 22
• Key Matchups to Watch: Dartmouth (Nov 1); at Yale (Nov. 22)

(FCS programs aspire to protect their very first playoff look)

24. Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks: Rising Aspirations

• Final 2024 Record: 7-5, 4-3 Southland; Never-Too-Early Ranking: 24
• Key Matchups to Watch: at UIW (Oct. 4); Nicholls (Oct. 18)

25. Abilene Christian Wildcats: Looking to Make an Impact

• Final 2024 Record: 9-5, 7-1 UAC; Never-Too-Early Ranking: NR
• Key Matchups to Watch: at UIW (Sept. 27); Tarleton State (Nov. 1)

Teams Exiting the FCS Football Preseason Top 25 Rankings

• Chattanooga Mocs (7-5, 5-3 SoCon)
• Youngstown State Penguins (4-8, 3-5 MVFC)
• Richmond Spiders (10-3, 8-0 CAA – transitioning to the Patriot League)

Photography credits for the leading image, including from delegated right: UIW, NDSU, Montana State, and Illinois State Athletics.

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