October 19, 2026

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Three Frontier Conference football teams remained nationally ranked in the final STADIONIC NAIA Football Coaches' Top 25 Poll of the 2026 season, announced Monday by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

College of Idaho highlighted the conference's representation, earning all 13 first-place votes to become the unanimous No. 1 team in the nation. Montana Tech remained at No. 5, while Carroll (Mont.) held steady at No. 11. Dakota State (S.D.) and Eastern Oregon were among the teams receiving votes (RV) in the national poll.

College of Idaho (6-0 overall record, 2-0 Frontier West) retained the nation's top ranking for the third consecutive week. The Yotes collected all 13 first-place votes after cruising to a 52-7 road victory over Montana Western Saturday. College of Idaho racked up 553 total offensive yards in the victory, highlighted by running back Rylie Byington, who has recorded 13 rushing touchdowns this season. The Yotes return home Saturday to host Eastern Oregon in a key Frontier Conference West Division showdown.

Montana Tech (6-1 overall record, 2-0 Frontier East) remained at No. 5 for the second straight week after an idle weekend. The Orediggers have established themselves as one of the nation's top defensive teams, highlighted by their recent 62-0 shutout victory over MSU-Northern. Montana Tech returns to Frontier Conference East Division action Saturday with a road contest at Mayville State (N.D.).

Carroll (Mont.) (6-1 overall record, 3-0 Frontier West) maintained its No. 11 national ranking for the second consecutive week. The Fighting Saints extended their winning streak to five games after their 45-31 road victory over Simpson (Calif.) Saturday. Quarterback Kaden Huot continues to lead Carroll's offensive attack with a passing efficiency rating of 191.4. The Fighting Saints have a bye this weekend before returning to Frontier Conference action at home versus Southern Oregon on Halloween.

Dakota State (S.D.) (5-3 overall record, 1-2 Frontier East) continued to receive votes in the national poll after returning to the winning column Saturday. The Trojans earned a road victory over Valley City State (N.D.) 42-21 and remained among the teams listed outside the Top 25.  The Trojans are idle this weekend and play their final home game of the season on Halloween versus Mayville State (N.D.). 

Eastern Oregon (5-1 overall record, 2-0 Frontier West) also received votes in the latest national rankings, the first time this season. The Mountaineers, who edged Southern Oregon 49-45 last Saturday, carry their five-game winning streak at No. 1 ranked College of Idaho Saturday.

The Oct. 19 poll marks the final Coaches' Top 25 of the 2026 season. Beginning next week, the national rankings will transition to a Top 15 format determined by the NAIA Football National Selection Committee (NSC).

Saturday's schedule are set for the following contests (times in Mountain Time):

• (5) Montana Tech at Mayville State (N.D.) - 12 p.m.
• MSU-Northern at Rocky Mountain (Mont.) - 1 p.m.
• Simpson (Calif.) at Montana Western - 1 p.m.
• Valley City State (N.D.) at Dickinson State (N.D.) - 2 p.m.
• Arizona Christian at Southern Oregon - 2 p.m.
• (RV) Eastern Oregon at (1) College of Idaho - 7 p.m.
• Byes:  (RV) Dakota State (S.D.) - East and (11) Carroll (Mont.) - West

The first NSC Top 15 poll and ARC ratings are scheduled to be released Tuesday, Oct. 27.
 

Final (No. 6) - Oct. 19	#1	#5	#11	RV	RV	----	----
No. 5 - Oct. 12	#1	#5	#11	RV	----	----	----
No. 4 - Oct. 5	#1	#6	#12	#23	----	----	----
No. 3 - Sept. 28	#1 (tie)	#6	#13	#22	----	RV	----
No. 2 - Sept. 21	#3	#2	#13	#21	----	RV	----
No. 1 - Sept. 14	#4	#3	#15	#23	----	#21	----
Pre - Aug. 24	#4	#5	#11	#25	----	#18	RV