Each week, we will break down the FCS national poll vote by FanBuzz CFB writer Brian McLaughlin, an annual participant in the poll of note — the STATS/Perform national poll.
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This top three thing in the FCS is brutal.
North Dakota State hasn't played an opponent as tough as South Dakota State and Montana State have yet, but has been consistently strong. NDSU, SDSU and MSU are all incredibly legit, and there are others in the FCS apparently gaining on the elite, like Sacramento State after its big win over Stanford.
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BMAC'S WEEK'S FCS NATIONAL POLL VOTE
EDITOR'S NOTE: Folks, remember — an FBS loss or a D-2 win do not have an effect on an FCS team's position in the postseason picture. The playoff committee throws those results out.
| NO | TEAM |
| 1 | North Dakota State |
| 2 | South Dakota State |
| 3 | Montana State |
| 4 | Sacramento State |
| 5 | William & Mary |
| 6 | Furman |
| 7 | Weber State |
| 8 | Southern Illinois |
| 9 | Holy Cross |
| 10 | Montana |
| 11 | Idaho |
| 12 | UC Davis |
| 13 | UIW (Incarnate Word) |
| 14 | New Hampshire |
| 15 | Villanova |
| 16 | Mercer |
| 17 | Northern Iowa (UNI) |
| 18 | Eastern Washington |
| 19 | Delaware |
| 20 | Campbell |
| 21 | Western Carolina |
| 22 | North Dakota |
| 23 | Austin Peay |
| 24 | North Carolina Central |
| 25 | UT Martin |
NOTE: FanBuzz national Group of Five college football editor Brian McLaughlin has had a vote in the STATS-Perform FCS National Poll and end-of-year awards since 2016.
