South Dakota State vs Rhode Island Football Preview and Rankings

According to the FCS Top 25 poll, South Dakota State and Illinois State have claimed first-place votes away from Montana State as the college football season progresses through September 2026. South Dakota State enters the current rankings with a 3-1 record, featuring a single Football Bowl Subdivision loss to Northwestern. Meanwhile, Rhode Island holds a 2-2 overall record alongside a 1-1 mark in the Colonial Athletic Association, collecting 390 points in the voting tally.

The nationwide poll reflects early shifts among Football Championship Subdivision contenders as conference play accelerates. South Dakota State continues to anchor its resume against top-tier competition, highlighted by its early-season matchup against Northwestern from the Big Ten Conference.

Rhode Island looks to stabilize its standing in the Colonial Athletic Association following a split through its first two conference matchups. The Rams hold a total of 390 points in the poll, positioning the program within a competitive cluster of mid-tier and upper-tier FCS squads.

Voters in the national poll continue to weigh non-conference FBS tests against early conference outcomes when distributing top votes. Montana State previously held a tighter grip on the top spot before South Dakota State and Illinois State pulled away first-place considerations. Program schedules will intensify in the coming weeks as conference title races take clearer shape across the division.