FCS Nation Radio Releases Week 12 FCS Top 25 Poll

Same Familiar Faces… but New Pressure Rising

Another Saturday in the books, and once again, the FCS picture shifts and tightens. The elite are refusing to blink, but the pressure from just below is growing louder by the week. A handful of programs made statements, some clung for dear life, and others finally introduced themselves to the room.

North Dakota State remains that team at No. 1, still the standard, still unshaken. Montana and Montana State stay right behind, forming a rock-solid top tier that’s been nearly impossible to disturb all season. Tennessee Tech continues to prove their legitimacy at No. 4, while Lehigh stays cemented in the top five.

The biggest story in the new-look Top 10? Mercer climbs to No. 6, reestablishing themselves firmly among the heavy hitters, while Tarleton State sits at 7, showing they’re here for more than just respect, they want some hardware.

Harvard slides to No. 8 while North Dakota continues to hover steadily at No. 9, a model of consistency in a landscape where consistency is hard to come by.

Further down the board, Youngstown State sits at No. 13, proving last week’s surge wasn’t a fluke. Abilene Christian enters at No. 16, surrounded by challengers scrambling for playoff oxygen. Meanwhile, South Dakota State falls to No. 21, still dangerous, but with zero margin for error.

And how about that? Austin Peay enters at No. 24, while South Carolina State grabs the final seat at No. 25, announcing their presence with authority.

Bodies are flying. Resumes are tightening. And everyone can feel it, December football is peaking its head.

FCS Nation Top 25 – Week 12 (2025)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 17, 2025

1. North Dakota State (NDSU)

2. Montana

3. Montana State (MSU)

4. Tennessee Tech (TTU)

5. Lehigh

6. Mercer

7. Tarleton State (TSU)

8. Harvard

9. North Dakota (UND)

10. UC Davis

11. Monmouth

12. Villanova (Nova)

13. Youngstown State (YSU)

14. Illinois State (ISU)

15. South Dakota (USD)

16. Abilene Christian (ACU)

17. Stephen F. Austin (SFA)

18. Rhode Island (URI)

19. Lamar

20. Jackson State (JSU)

21. South Dakota State (SDSU)

22. Alabama State (ALST)

23. Southeastern Louisiana (SLU)

24. Austin Peay (APSU)

25. South Carolina State (SC State)