WACO, TEX.– The AFCA Division II Coaches’ Top 25 poll looks a little different this week after nine teams in last week’s top 25 were beaten, including three of the top 10. Northwest Missouri State still has the No. 1 spot, followed by Grand Valley State (Mich.), but that is where the similarity ends from last week.

Then-No. 3 West Georgia was beaten by North Alabama, dropping the Wolves to No. 12 and raising the Lions to No. 11. Ashland (Ohio) had the biggest drop, falling from No. 5 to No. 17 after its loss to Tiffin (Ohio), 35-32, while California (Pa.) had the biggest jump, going from No. 24 to No. 15 after its 52-26 win over then-No. 9 Slippery Rock (Pa.). Four new teams enter the poll this week, including Southwest Baptist (Mo.). The Bearcats, who are off to their best start in program history at 5-0, enter the AFCA Top 25 for the first time in school history with a No. 20 ranking. 

There will be another shake-up in the poll next week with six top 25 matchups in store. The biggest game is a top 10 battle as No. 7 Midwestern State (Texas) travels to No. 4 Texas A&M-Commerce with first place in the Lone Star Conference on the line.  

2016 American Football Coaches Association Division II Coaches’ Poll — Oct. 3, 2016