By ERIC TABER
The Montana Grizzlies returned to the top five in one of the two main national rankings this week following a decisive 38-23 road win over Portland State that improved the Griz to 7-2 on the season and 3-1 in Big Sky play.
The Griz jumped three places from No. 8 to No. 5 in the AFCA FCS Coaches’ Poll, collecting 532 points in the poll. In the media poll, the Griz rose two spots to No. 6 with 3,074 points in the poll, just four points shy of No. 5 Northern Iowa, which collected 3,079 points.
Montana returns to the top five for the second time this season after falling to No. 10 following a loss at Sacramento State. Montana moved up thanks to its win over PSU, a Sac State loss to Weber State (36-17), and losses from previously-ranked No. 4 Kennesaw State (to the same Monmouth team that Montana beat 47-27 on week three), and Illinois State losing to UNI.
With the requisite seven wins needed for a berth in the FCS playoffs and a top-five ranking under their belts, the Grizzlies are on track to return to the postseason for the first time since 2015 this season.
The Griz will get the first indications as to where the Division I Football Championship Committee thinks where they will land when it announces its top-10 ranking, Wednesday, Nov. 6, during halftime of the 8 p.m. (ET) Miami (OH) vs. Ohio game on ESPN2.
For the fourth straight year, the sport committee will reveal the rankings ahead of Selection Sunday. The early reveal will provide insight on potential teams competing for top seed positions in the upcoming 2019 Division I Football Championship.
In addition to building excitement around the FCS playoffs, the reveal may have some bearing on the final bracket that will be publicized during the selection show on Sunday, Nov. 24, at 12:30 p.m. (ET) on ESPNU.
The Grizzlies will continue their march toward the playoffs this week at home when the Idaho Vandals come to Missoula for the first time since 2003 to compete for the “Little Brown Stein” at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
Tickets for the old rivalry game are still available online at GrizTix.com, at the Adams Center Box Office, or over the phone at 1-888-MONTANA.
AFCA FCS Coaches’ Poll
1 North Dakota State
2 James Madison
3 Weber State
4 South Dakota State
5 Montana
6 Central Arkansas
7 Northern Iowa
8 Sacramento State
9 Princeton
10 Furman
11 Kennesaw State
12 Illinois State
13 Dartmouth
14 Montana State
T-15 Florida A&M
T-15 North Carolina A&T
17 Central Connecticut State
18 Southeast Missouri State
19 Villanova
20 Monmouth
21 Towson
22 North Dakota
23 Wofford
24 Austin Peay
25 New Hampshire
Others receiving votes: UT Martin, 60; Nicholls, 50; Southeastern Louisiana, 17; San Diego, 12; Alcorn St., 9; Sam Houston St., 8; Southern Illinois, 8; Jacksonville St., 7; The Citadel, 5; Yale, 3; Abilene Christian, 2; Stony Brook 2.
STATS FCS Media Poll
1 North Dakota State
2 James Madison
3 Weber State
4 South Dakota State
5 UNI
6 Montana
7 Central Arkansas
8 Sacramento State
9 Furman
10 Princeton
11 Illinois State
12 Montana State
13 Dartmouth
14 North Carolina A&T
15 Kennesaw State
16 Florida A&M
17 Southeast Missouri State
18 Villanova
19 Monmouth
20 Central Connecticut State
21 Towson
22 North Dakota
23 New Hampshire
24 Wofford
25 Nicholls
Others: Austin Peay (354) , UT Martin (287) , Sam Houston State (224) , Alcorn State (215) , Citadel (129) , Richmond (78) , Southern Illinois (74) , Yale (71) , UC Davis (61) , Southeastern Louisiana (55) , Stony Brook (49) , Jacksonville State (34) , Delaware (17) , Youngstown State (16) , San Diego (6) , Elon (3) , McNeese (1) , Abilene Christian (1) , Campbell (1)
