FCS PRS Rankings Week 6

The top 25 in the FCS PRS rankings are as stable as any season we have ever had. Once again, there is very little fluctuation in the top ten, with the top three virtually unchanged. Here are the FCS rankings, 6th edition for 2013.

1. Towson (6-0, 1592)
Last Week: Defeated New Hampshire 44-28
This Week: at Albany
Terrence West is close to busting out to a 1000 yard season with 896 yards in 6 games, Towson has held t=down the top spot in these rankings since day one, and there is likely no chance they give it up at Albany this week.

2. Fordham (6-0, 1460)
Last Week: Defeated Lehigh 52-34
This Week: at Yale
Fordham is off to their bet start since 1980 after a huge win at home over conference rival Lehigh, who was in the top ten last week themselves. The Rams let the Mountain Hawks stick around until midway through the 3rd quarter before blowing it open to retain the number two spot. This week presents a challenge on the road against Yale.

3. Coastal Carolina (5-0, 1207)
Last Week: Idle
This Week: at Liberty
It's an interesting week when all of the top three ranked teams in the country all play on the road, and CCU will travel to take on Liberty. Coastal Carolina also makes another top three team that will likely win on the road this week, with Liberty having a bit of a down season.

4. Youngstown State (5-1, 1193)
Last Week: Defeated Indiana State 35-24
This Week: Western Illinois
The Penguins could be back to their dominant ways of the 90s, but will still have to face some serious challenges on the schedule moving forward in Northern Iowa and North Dakota State. If YSU gets past those two teams, they may be on their way to a shot at the national title.

5. Maine (5-1, 1101)
Last Week: Defeated Delaware 62-28
This Week: William & Mary
This is the best version of Maine football in some time, and the Bears are rolling in a very tough CAA. The Bears have not played Towson yet, obviously, but they are cruising up to this point. Maine is likely a playoff team at this point short of a total second half collapse. William & Mary travels to Maine this week, so I have to side with Maine at home.

6. North Dakota State (5-0, 1050)
Last Week: Defeated Northern Iowa 24-23
This Week: at Southern Illinois
The Bison survived a huge challenge last weekend against Northern Iowa, who is one of the best programs in the MVC. The Bison still have Youngstown State on the horizon, but will get a road challenge at SIU this week. Shall we call this road test Saturday in the top ten?

7. McNeese State (5-1, 980)
Last Week: Defeated Central Arkansas 59-28
This Week: #10 Sam Houston State
The Cowboys are becoming the class of the SLC after passing by UCA and Sam Houston State in the conference. The Cowboys are crushing people, and may be a dark horse in the national picture. If they knock off SHSU this weekend, McNeese State could run the rest of the table. This game is the FCS game of the week.

8. Charleston Southern (6-0, 985)
Last Week: Defeated North Greenville 28-14
This Week: Idle
Despite the fact that the Bucs beat a D2 club last week, they are still enjoying the best season in school history. They take the week off this weekend, but a huge showdown with Coastal Carolina is coming for the Big South crown, and an auto bid to the NCAA tournament.

9. Eastern Illinois (4-1, 956)
Last Week: Idle
This Week: SE Missouri State
The Panthers are enjoying a solid start to their season, and this week should continue their solid run, as SE Missouri State is having an absolutely awful year. The Panthers should roll this week once again.

10. Sam Houston State (4-1, 938)
Last Week: Idle
This Week: at #7 McNeese State
The Bearkats are having yet another solid run, as has been the case in the last few seasons. This week is the game of the week, and the game of the year on the SHSU schedule. This road test will display a front runner in SLC play, and could bring a peak at who gets the auto bid to the playoffs later this fall. This is a huge showdown.

The Rest of the Top 25

11. Northern Iowa (4-1, 905)
12. Jacksonville State (5-1, 888)
13. Prairie View A&M (4-2, 870)
14. Bethune-Cookman (4-1, 864)
15. Samford (4-2, 858)
16. Tennessee State (5-2, 831)
17. Old Dominion (4-2, 814)
18. Lehigh (4-1, 726)
19. Harvard (3-0, 720)
20. Delaware (4-2, 699)
21. Yale (3-0, 697)
22. Murray State (4-2, 695)
23. James Madison (4-2, 683)
24. Jackson State (4-2, 681)
25. Montana State (4-2, 631)

The Next Ten

26. Southern Utah (4-2, 617)
27. Sacred Heart (5-1, 615)
28. Montana (4-1, 611)
29. Alabama State (4-2, 598)
30. SE Louisiana (3-2, 555)
31. William & Mary (3-2, 519)
32. South Carolina State (4-2, 518)
33. Northwestern State (3-2, 512)
34. Gardner-Webb (4-2, 505)
35. Villanova (3-2, 473)

The Bottom Ten

118. Campbell (1-4, -651)
119. UA-Pine Bluff (0-5, -657)
120. Valporaiso (1-4, -670)
121. SE Missouri State (0-5, -690)
122. Northern Colorado (1-5, -790)
123. Hampton (0-5, -851)
124. Stetson (1-4, -911)
125. Texas Southern (0-5, -925)
126. Grambling (0-6, -964)
127. Davidson (0-5, -1060)

Coming up next...As the Carousel Turns, Volume 2