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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North Dakota State and William & Mary went down this weekend, and that was just the tip of the iceberg of what has been a topsy, turvy poll voting situation. Holy Cross was handily defeated by Harvard. NDSU's loss was to South Dakota, William & Mary's was to Elon, and Villanova's loss to Albany was a surprise. But Eastern Washington's eight-point loss to Idaho was no upset.
As usual, we head into October in a hornet's nest state of confusion. There's new blood in my vote below, as schools like South Dakota, Elon, and Albany cannot be ignored. The loud Montana debate will have to wait one more week at least, as its win over Idaho State was close. The Griz need one more Big Sky win and then they won't be denied at least a low spot in my poll vote.
As we enter October, folks, take a deep breath. We'll know a lot more when we hit Nov. 1.
Or will we?
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BMAC'S WEEK 5 FCS POLL VOTE
EDITOR'S NOTE: Folks, remember — an FBS loss or a D-2 win does not have an effect on an FCS team's position in the postseason picture. The playoff committee throws those results out.
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.
(*) - Has a FBS win
| RK | BMACS VOTE | REC (S30) | FCS (30) |
| 1 | SDSU | 4-0 | 3-0 |
| 2 | Montana St | 4-1 | 4-1 |
| 3 | Idaho (*) | 4-1 | 3-0 |
| 4 | Sac St (*) | 4-1 | 3-1 |
| 5 | SIU (*) | 4-0 | 3-0 |
| 6 | Furman | 3-1 | 3-0 |
| 7 | West. Carolina | 4-1 | 4-0 |
| 8 | Delaware | 3-1 | 3-0 |
| 9 | South Dakota | 3-1 | 3-0 |
| 10 | NDSU | 3-1 | 3-1 |
| 11 | Wm & Mary | 4-1 | 4-1 |
| 12 | Harvard | 3-0 | 3-0 |
| 13 | UIW | 3-1 | 2-0 |
| 14 | Holy Cross | 3-2 | 3-1 |
| 15 | East. Wash | 2-3 | 2-2 |
| 16 | UC Davis | 3-2 | 3-1 |
| 17 | Weber St. | 3-1 | 2-1 |
| 18 | UNI | 2-2 | 2-1 |
| 19 | UT Martin | 4-1 | 4-0 |
| 20 | Austin Peay | 3-2 | 3-1 |
| 21 | Albany | 3-2 | 3-0 |
| 22 | Elon | 3-2 | 3-1 |
| 23 | East. Illinois | 4-1 | 4-0 |
| 24 | N.C. Cent | 4-1 | 3-0 |
| 25 | Cent. Ark. | 3-2 | 2-1 |
Dropped from last week's ballot: Villanova, New Hampshire, North Dakota
