The first official FCS playoff committee rankings of 2026 are here, and one-loss Montana State is sitting at No. 1.
The NCAA Division I Football Championship Committee revealed its first Top 10 on Tuesday, Oct. 20, during ESPN2's College Football Live, placing undefeated Tarleton State at No. 2 and Youngstown State at No. 3.
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Stephen F. Austin and South Dakota State round out the top five, while Montana is notably absent from the committee's initial Top 10.
The rankings offer the first official look at how the selection committee views the national playoff race with just over a month remaining before Selection Sunday.
FCS Playoff Rankings 2026: First Committee Top 10
The NCAA Division I Football Championship Committee released its first Top 10 rankings on Tuesday, Oct. 20, offering an early look at the teams leading the race for the 2026 FCS playoffs.
- Montana State (6-1) — Big Sky
- Tarleton State (7-0) — UAC
- Youngstown State (6-2) — MVFC
- Stephen F. Austin (7-0) — Southland
- South Dakota State (5-2) — MVFC
- North Dakota (6-2) — MVFC
- Northern Arizona (6-2) — Big Sky
- South Dakota (6-2) — MVFC
- Austin Peay (6-2) — UAC
- Harvard (5-0) — Ivy League
Other teams receiving consideration: Illinois State (Missouri Valley), Lehigh (Patriot League) and Tennessee Tech (SoCon).
Montana State Takes No. 1 In First FCS Playoff Rankings
Montana State earned the committee's top spot despite suffering an upset loss to Idaho earlier this season.
The Bobcats sit ahead of two undefeated teams, with Tarleton State at No. 2 and Stephen F. Austin at No. 4.
Youngstown State checks in at No. 3 after a four-game winning streak led by quarterback Beau Brungard, while Stephen F. Austin enters at No. 4 following its first 7-0 start in 31 years.
South Dakota State rounds out the top five after entering Week 7 ranked No. 1 in the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll before losing 21-10 to North Dakota.
Perhaps the biggest surprise is Montana's absence. The Grizzlies fell to 5-3 after a 42-35 loss to Idaho and dropped to No. 14 in the latest AFCA FCS Coaches Poll, but their exclusion from the committee's Top 10 still stands out in a playoff race loaded with Big Sky contenders.
The CAA also is unrepresented in the first Top 10, leaving the conference's playoff contenders with work to do before the final bracket is announced.
Who Won The FCS National Championship Last Year?
Montana State enters the 2026 FCS playoff race as the defending national champion after defeating Illinois State 35-34 in overtime on Jan. 5, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee. The victory marked the Bobcats' first national title since 1984.
Now, Montana State sits atop the first FCS playoff committee rankings of 2026, putting the Bobcats in position to make another run at the national championship.
When Is The 2026 FCS Playoff Selection Show?
The 2026 FCS playoff bracket will be announced on Sunday, Nov. 22, following the conclusion of the regular season.
The FCS national championship game is scheduled for Jan. 11, 2027, at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.
The Oct. 20 reveal is the first of two committee Top 10 rankings before the postseason field is finalized. The committee will release its second Top 10 on Nov. 5, followed by the full playoff bracket on Nov. 22.
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