North Dakota State Received AP Poll Votes

The undefeated Bison earned recognition in the weekly Associated Press Top 25 football poll.

Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in Football

North Dakota State Received AP Poll Votes

Live Poll

Should lower-division college football teams receive more representation in national rankings?

Following a 28-0 victory against Wyoming this past Saturday, North Dakota State has received votes in the Associated Press Top 25 college football poll. The 5-0 Bison earned seven points from three individual voters.

Why it matters

The recognition highlights the team's strong start as they look to maintain momentum in the national rankings. Media acknowledgment serves as a crucial barometer for their standing relative to major college football programs.

North Dakota State received seven points from three media voters, placing them 35th overall in the Associated Press poll. Additionally, the team secured 29 points in the American Football Coaches Association poll.

The players

North Dakota State

This is a university athletic program based in Fargo that competes in college football.

Wyoming

This is a public university that competes in the Mountain West Conference.

The details

Voters Randy Johnson and Alex Taylor placed the team 23rd, while Javon Edmonds ranked the squad 25th. The poll weights rankings such that a first-place vote is worth 25 points, with each subsequent spot decreasing by one point.

Saturday: The Bison defeated Wyoming 28-0 at the Fargodome.
October 4, 2026: The weekly AP poll was released.

Season Trajectory

This recognition signals a shift in the Bison's season narrative as they transition from regional dominance to national visibility. Consistent appearances in these rankings influence the broader playoff conversation and competitive balance within the division.

The Bison's current 5-0 record places them firmly in the conversation for high-level post-season positioning. Maintaining this rank in the media poll is essential for the team to influence their future strength-of-schedule perception.

The takeaway

The Bison have successfully captured the attention of national media voters through their undefeated start. Fans should continue to monitor the weekly poll updates to see if the team can build upon these initial rankings.