In FBS, the SEC and Big Ten have become so large they blot out the sun. In FCS, they have the Missouri Valley and the Big Sky.
The MVFC and the Big Sky accounted for 12 of the top 25 teams in the 2024 preseason FCS coaches poll, released Monday, including eight of the top 11 and the entire top five.
Two-time defending national champion South Dakota State begins the season where it left off, as the clear-cut top team in the nation. The Jackrabbits, winners of 29 straight games, topped every ballot but one, which went to No. 25 Florida A&M.
North Dakota State begins the year at No. 2, a year after the Bison suffered their most defeats (four) since 2010 -- but still reached the FCS semifinals and ended 2023 ranked third in both polls. Defending national runner-up Montana is No. 3, while rival Montana State is No. 4.
The Dakota Marker Game is set for Oct. 19 at the Fargodome, while the Brawl of the Wild will take place Nov. 23 in Bozeman.
Elsewhere, coaches showed a vote of confidence in Nathan Brown; his Central Arkansas team is the biggest offseason riser, checking in at No. 13 after finishing 2023 unranked. William & Mary, UC Davis, Western Carolina, Illinois State, Tarleton and Nicholls also moved into the poll over the offseason.
The FCS season has the opportunity to begin with a bang, as No. 1 South Dakota State opens at Oklahoma State (ranked No. 18 by FBS coaches) while No. 2 North Dakota State has a date with Coach Prime and Colorado.
The full poll:
1. South Dakota State -- 649 total points (25 first-place votes)
2. North Dakota State -- 614
3. Montana -- 576
4. Montana State -- 518
5. South Dakota -- 512
6. Villanova -- 502
7. Idaho -- 473
8. Chattanooga -- 403
9. Furman -- 392
10. Sacramento State -- 382
11. Southern Illinois -- 370
12. Richmond -- 353
13. Central Arkansas -- 339
14. UAlbany -- 275
15. UIW -- 259
16. William & Mary -- 196
17. UC Davis -- 164
18. Lafayette -- 157
19. Western Carolina -- 144
20. Illinois State -- 143
21. Tarleton -- 137
22. North Dakota -- 131
23. Youngstown State -- 97
24. Nicholls -- 91
25. Florida A&M -- 71 (1)
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.