KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has released its latest edition of the 2026 STADIONIC NAIA Football Coaches' Top 25 Poll. Carroll College has moved up two spots in the weekly poll, now sitting at No. 13.
The Fighting Saints (2-1) left little to doubt in Saturday's 42-7 win over Dickinson State, showing the nation's coaches that despite a week one setback they are still plenty deserving of their spot amongst the NAIA's top teams.
After dropping four spots from No. 11 in the Preseason Poll to No. 15 in last week's first Regular Season Coaches' Poll, Carroll began their ascent back up the ladder this week. The Saints jumped two positions in the poll, now appearing at No. 13.
In a week that saw prominent teams throughout the ranks across the nation stumble, Carroll took care of business in a big way with a dominant showing against the Blue Hawks. Scores in all three phases - offense, defense, and special teams - helped the Saints jump up two spots as non-conference play winds down.
The Saints remain one of just four teams appearing inside the nation's Top-25 following week three. Dakota State moved up two spots to No. 21, while both Montana Tech and College of Idaho jumped one spot to No. 2 and 3, respectively, following former-No. 1 Grand View's (Iowa) loss to Benedictine (Kan.).
Montana Western dropped out of the Top-25 and is now in the receiving votes portion of the poll following their 38-32 loss to Carroll's upcoming opponent Rocky Mountain College this past weekend in Dillon.
Below is the full Week Three NAIA Football Coaches' Poll :
Carroll will wrap up non-conference play this weekend, as they head to Billings for a showdown with Rocky Mountain College at 6 p.m. on Saturday at Herb Klindt Field.
| TREND |
RANK |
LAST |
INSTITUTION [FIRST-PLACE VOTES] |
RECORD |
| ▲ |
1 |
2 |
Keiser (Fla.) [8] |
1-1 |
| ▲ |
2 |
3 |
Montana Tech [4] |
4-0 |
| ▲ |
3 |
4 |
College of Idaho [1] |
3-0 |
| ▲ |
4 |
6 |
Indiana Wesleyan |
4-0 |
| ▲ |
5 |
9 |
Benedictine (Kan.) |
3-1 |
| ▼ |
6 |
1 |
Grand View (Iowa) |
3-1 |
| ▲ |
7 |
8 |
Morningside (Iowa) |
3-1 |
| ▼ |
8 |
7 |
Friends (Kan.) |
4-0 |
| ▲ |
9 |
10 |
Campbellsville (Ky.) |
4-0 |
| ▲ |
10 |
14 |
St. Thomas (Fla.) |
4-0 |
| ● |
11 |
T-11 |
Marian (Ind.) |
3-1 |
| ▼ |
12 |
5 |
Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) |
3-1 |
| ▲ |
13 |
15 |
Carroll (Mont.) |
2-1 |
| ▲ |
14 |
16 |
Southeastern (Fla.) |
2-0 |
| ▲ |
15 |
18 |
McPherson (Kan.) |
4-0 |
| ▼ |
16 |
T-11 |
Dordt (Iowa) |
1-2 |
| ▲ |
17 |
22 |
Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) |
3-0 |
| ▲ |
18 |
RV |
Midland (Neb.) |
4-0 |
| ● |
19 |
T-19 |
William Penn (Iowa) |
3-1 |
| ▼ |
20 |
T-19 |
Louisiana Christian |
3-1 |
| ▲ |
21 |
23 |
Dakota State (S.D.) |
3-1 |
| ▼ |
22 |
13 |
Northwestern (Iowa) |
2-2 |
| ▲ |
23 |
T-24 |
Baker (Kan.) |
3-0 |
| ▼ |
24 |
17 |
Evangel (Mo.) |
3-1 |
| ▼ |
25 |
T-24 |
Georgetown (Ky.) |
2-2 |
Dropped out of the Top 25: Montana Western.
Receiving Votes: Cumberland (Tenn.), Cumberlands (Ky.), Kansas Wesleyan, MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.), Montana Western, OUAZ (Ariz.), Southwestern (Kan.), Taylor (Ind.).
Be sure to visit www.carrollathletics.com for a preview of Saturday's matchup, and for complete coverage of the Fighting Saints all season long.
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