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The Abilene Christian Wildcats have fallen out of the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 poll for the first time in 30 weeks, following a 26-7 defeat to the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks in their home opener on Saturday night. The loss dropped ACU from its previous No. 23 ranking, marking the end of a streak that dated back to September 2024. The Wildcats had started the 2026 season ranked No. 15 in the preseason poll but have now begun the year with three consecutive losses.
In the latest poll, Abilene Christian received 15 points in the others receiving votes category, placing them just outside the top 25. The Wildcats are scheduled to face five teams that appeared in this week's rankings, giving them one of the most challenging schedules in the country. So far, ACU has faced two ranked opponents: a 21-14 road loss to then-No. 20 Lamar in Week 1 and a home loss to then-No. 13 Stephen F. Austin last weekend. They will host No. 23 Mercer on Sept. 26 in their final non-conference game against a ranked foe.
Key Analysis
The United Athletic Conference is well-represented in the poll, with three teams earning spots: No. 4 Tarleton State, No. 14 Austin Peay, and No. 17 West Florida. Abilene Christian will play all three in conference action, starting with West Florida on Oct. 3, then Tarleton State on Nov. 7, and Austin Peay on Nov. 14. Since the start of the 2025 season, the Wildcats have compiled a 5-4 record against ranked FCS opponents, demonstrating their ability to compete at a high level despite the recent setback.
Looking ahead, Abilene Christian (0-3) will travel to Moscow, Idaho, to take on the Idaho Vandals (0-3) at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Kibbie Dome. A win would help the Wildcats regain momentum as they aim to climb back into the rankings. The full Stats Perform FCS Top 25 poll for Week 3 (Sept. 14) is as follows:
- 1. Montana State (3-0) – Prev: No. 1
- 2. South Dakota State (2-1) – Prev: No. 2
- 3. Montana (3-0) – Prev: No. 3
- 4. Tarleton State (3-0) – Prev: No. 4
- 5. Illinois State (3-0) – Prev: No. 5
- 6. North Dakota (3-0) – Prev: No. 6
- 7. Lehigh (3-0) – Prev: No. 9
- 8. Rhode Island (2-1) – Prev: No. 8
- 9. Youngstown State (2-1) – Prev: No. 10
- 10. South Dakota (3-0) – Prev: No. 11
- 11. UC Davis (2-1) – Prev: No. 7
- 12. Stephen F. Austin (3-0) – Prev: No. 13
- 13. Tennessee Tech (3-0) – Prev: No. 12
- T-14. Austin Peay (2-1) – Prev: No. 15
- T-14. Lamar (2-1) – Prev: No. 14
- 16. Idaho State (3-0) – Prev: No. 17
- 17. West Florida (2-0) – Prev: No. 20
- 18. South Carolina State (3-0) – Prev: No. 22
- 19. Yale (0-0) – Prev: No. 19
- 20. Northern Arizona (2-1) – Prev: No. 24
- 21. William & Mary (2-1) – Prev: No. 16
- 22. Villanova (1-2) – Prev: No. 21
- 23. Mercer (2-1) – Prev: No. 18
- 24. Southern Illinois (2-1) – Prev: NR
- 25. Harvard (0-0) – Prev: No. 25
Previously Ranked: Abilene Christian (No. 23).
Others Receiving Votes: Alabama State (2-1): 64; Furman (2-1): 60; Campbell (2-1): 59; Cal Poly (2-1): 56; Albany (2-1): 38; Houston Christian (2-1): 38; Southern Utah (1-2): 37; Jackson State (2-0): 30; Wofford (2-1): 19; Abilene Christian (0-3): 15; Richmond (2-1): 11; Elon (2-1): 10; Prairie View A&M (1-2): 6; Colgate (2-1): 3.
Originally reported by yahoo.