Griz third, Vandals seventh in preseason FCS football poll

The Big Sky Conference had six ranked teams in the Stats Perform FCS Preseason Top 25 on Monday, which marked three straight years with six squads recognized in the Top 25. 

Montana led the way for the league at third overall, while Montana State, Idaho and Sacramento State joined the Grizzlies in the Top 10 at fourth, seventh and eighth, respectively. UC Davis and Weber State rounded out the Big Sky teams in the Top 25 at 18th and 22nd, while Eastern Washington was just outside being ranked but was listed on two or more ballots.

The Grizzlies, who were picked 14th in the same poll prior to the 2023 season, are coming off a national championship game appearance after finishing the season 13-2 overall and 7-1 in league play. Montana was picked by the head coaches and media to win the Big Sky in 2024, as the Grizzlies seek back-to-back conference titles for the first time since winning 12-straight from 1998-09. 

The Big Sky's six ranked preseason teams were the second-most of any FCS conference, trailing the Missouri Valley's seven squads ranked inside the Top 25. The next closest conference to the Big Sky was the CAA with four Top 25 teams. 

A national media panel selects the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll. 

2024 Stats Perform FCS Preseason Top 25

1. South Dakota State (15–0, 8–0 MVFC), 1,396 points (52 of 56 1st-place votes)

2. North Dakota State (11-4, 5-3 MVFC), 1,327 (3)

3. Montana (13-2, 7-1 Big Sky), 1,285

4. Montana State (8-4, 6-2 Big Sky), 1,199 (1)

5. South Dakota (10-3, 7-1 MVFC), 1,155

6. Villanova (10-3, 7-1 CAA), 1,151

7. Idaho (9-4, 6-2 Big Sky), 1,021

8. Sacramento State (8-5, 4-4 Big Sky), 874

9. Chattanooga (8-5, 6-2 SoCon), 868

11. Central Arkansas (7-4, 4-2 UAC), 724

12. Furman (10-3, 7-1 SoCon), 678

13. Richmond (9-4, 7-1 CAA), 625

14. UIW (8-2, 6-1 Southland), 605

15. William & Mary (6-5, 4-4 CAA), 546

16. UAlbany (11-4, 7-1 CAA), 527

17. Lafayette (9-3, 5-1 Patriot), 359

18. UC Davis (7-4, 5-3 Big Sky), 351

19. Illinois State (6-5, 4-4 MVFC), 350

20. Western Carolina (7-4, 5-3 SoCon), 318

21. Tarleton State (8-3, 4-2 UAC), 302

22. Weber State (6-5, 4-4 Big Sky), 268

23. Nicholls (6-5, 7-0 Southland), 201

24. North Dakota (7-5, 5-3 MVFC), 197

25. Youngstown State (8-5, 5-3 MVFC), 177

Others Receiving Votes (schools listed on two or more ballots): Elon (6-5, 6-2 CAA) 174; UT Martin (8-3, 5-1 Big South-OVC) 169; Eastern Illinois (8-3, 4-2 Big South-OVC) 139; Mercer (9-4, 6-2 SoCon) 98; Florida A&M (12-1, 8-0 SWAC) 65; North Carolina Central (9-3, 4-1 MEAC) 52; Austin Peay (9-3, 6-0 UAC) 51; Alabama State (7-4, 5-3 SWAC) 17; Holy Cross (7-4, 5-1 Patriot) 17; Eastern Washington (4-7, 3-5 Big Sky) 14; Drake (8-4, 8-0 Pioneer) 8; Duquesne (7-4, 6-1 NEC) 8; Harvard (8-2, 5-2 Ivy) 6; Samford (6-5, 4-4 SoCon) 6; Northern Iowa (6-5, 5-3 MVFC) 4.