Austin Peay Football Reached Top Ten National Ranking

The American Football Coaches Association poll has placed the university program at ninth in the nation.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Football

Austin Peay Football Reached Top Ten National Ranking

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The Austin Peay State University football team has earned the ninth spot in the latest national poll released by the American Football Coaches Association. This milestone represents the fifth time in the history of the program that the team has achieved a top ten ranking.

Why it matters

Securing a top ten position elevates the national profile of the Austin Peay football program as it competes within the United Athletic Conference. This recognition highlights the team's current performance trajectory compared to its historical standing.

The Austin Peay football team holds the ninth spot in the national rankings, joining Tarleton State in the top ten. The program previously reached top ten status in 1978, 1979, 2019, and 2023.

The players

Austin Peay State University

This public university located in Clarksville, Tennessee, maintains a collegiate athletic program that competes in the United Athletic Conference.

American Football Coaches Association

This professional organization representing football coaches is responsible for publishing the weekly national rankings for collegiate football teams.

Tarleton State University

This university operates a football program that currently holds the third position in the national coaching association rankings.

The details

The recent poll marks a significant achievement for the Clarksville-based university team, which has only broken into the top ten on four prior occasions. The team is now preparing for its next competition scheduled for this Saturday at Fortera Stadium.

1978: The team held a top ten ranking for one week.
1979: The team held a top ten ranking for one week.
2019: The team achieved a final top ten ranking.
2023: The team competed in the FCS Playoffs as the tenth-ranked squad.
October 28, 2024: This date marked the previous instance of two conference teams appearing in the top ten.

Season Trajectory

This ranking signals a major upward shift for the program as it vies for a more favorable position in the post-season landscape. It reinforces the team's competitiveness within the United Athletic Conference following its appearance in the 2023 FCS Playoffs.

The team will look to solidify its ninth-place standing when it hosts New Haven at Fortera Stadium this Saturday at 4:00pm. Fans should note this performance is only the fifth instance of a top ten ranking in the history of the program.

The takeaway

Achieving a top ten national ranking is a rare milestone that reflects the current strength and competitive evolution of the Austin Peay football program. Supporters and observers should watch how this ranking influences the team's momentum as they head into their weekend home game.