MISSOULA — Montana slid to seventh in the latest Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll, which was released Monday.
The Grizzlies, previously ranked second, lost a 49-44 shootout at then-No. 13 Northern Arizona on Saturday. The Lumberjacks climbed to eighth in the rankings.
Montana State moved up one spot to No. 5.
South Dakota State maintained the No. 1 ranking and received 52 of 57 first-place votes. The Jackrabbits are followed by No. 2 Tarleton State, No. 3 Stephen F. Austin and No. 4 Lehigh.
The Big Sky Conference continues to have five teams in the top 25. UC Davis held steady at No. 14, while Idaho State is now ranked 21st after losing back-to-back games to NAU and Cal Poly.
The Mustangs, who are 4-3 overall and tied for first in the Big Sky at 3-1 in league play, received votes but failed to crack the top 25. Weber State, also 4-3 overall and 3-1 in the Big Sky, received votes, as well.
Every team in the Big Sky has at least one conference loss. Seven teams — Montana, Northern Arizona, Cal Poly, Weber State, Montana State, UC Davis and Portland State — have exactly one league loss.
The Big Sky standings and this week's schedule are below.
Big Sky Conference standings
Through Oct. 10
| Conf. | Overall | |
| Montana | 3-1 | 5-2 |
| Northern Arizona | 3-1 | 5-2 |
| Cal Poly | 3-1 | 4-3 |
| Weber State | 3-1 | 4-3 |
| Montana State | 2-1 | 5-1 |
| UC Davis | 2-1 | 4-2 |
| Portland State | 2-1 | 2-4 |
| Idaho State | 1-2 | 4-2 |
| Southern Utah | 1-2 | 2-4 |
| Idaho | 1-2 | 1-5 |
| Eastern Washington | 1-3 | 2-5 |
| Northern Colorado | 1-3 | 2-5 |
| Utah Tech | 0-4 | 0-7 |
Big Sky Conference schedule
Saturday, Oct. 17
(all times Mountain Daylight Time)
Idaho at No. 7 Montana, 1 p.m.
No. 21 Idaho State at (RV) Weber State, 1 p.m.
Portland State at No. 8 Northern Arizona, 5 p.m.
No. 5 Montana State at Eastern Washington, 5 p.m.
(RV) Cal Poly at Northern Colorado, 6 p.m.
No. 14 UC Davis at Southern Utah, 6 p.m.
Utah Tech idle