October 28, 2026

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Three Frontier Conference football teams were ranked in the inaugural STADIONIC NAIA Football National Selection Committee (NSC) Top 15 poll, announced Tuesday by the NAIA national office.

College of Idaho led the Frontier Conference at No. 2, followed by Montana Tech at No. 4 and Carroll (Mont.) at No. 12.

College of Idaho (7-0 overall record, 3-0 Frontier West) remained one of two undefeated teams in the NAIA after rolling past Eastern Oregon 63-28 last Saturday. The Yotes, who held the No. 1 ranking in the final NAIA Football Coaches' Top 25 poll, are ranked second behind St. Thomas (Fla.) in the first selection committee poll.

The Yotes will look to maintain their unbeaten record Saturday when they travel to Arizona Christian for another Frontier Conference West Division contest.

Montana Tech (7-1 overall record, 3-0 Frontier East) moved up to No. 4 nationally after defeating Mayville State (N.D.) 34-20 on the road last Saturday. The Orediggers are ranked second nationally in total defense, allowing just 228.3 yards per game, and fourth in rushing defense at 74.0 yards allowed per contest.

Montana Tech also leads the NAIA in average time of possession at 37 minutes, 18 seconds per game. The Orediggers host Rocky Mountain (Mont.) Saturday in a showdown between the Frontier Conference East Division's two remaining unbeaten teams in conference play.

Carroll (Mont.) (6-1 overall record, 3-0 Frontier West) rounded out the Frontier Conference representatives at No. 12. The Fighting Saints were idle last Saturday and return to action this weekend when they host Southern Oregon.

Carroll averages 43.0 points per game, while quarterback Kaden Huot ranks second nationally with a passing efficiency rating of 191.4. The Fighting Saints have also been impressive defensively, allowing 14.1 points per game.

The inaugural National Selection Committee poll replaces the weekly Coaches' Top 25 rankings for the remainder of the regular season. The NAIA also released its first Area Rating Committee (ARC) standings alongside the national rankings.

The 2026 NAIA Football Championship Series will feature 20 teams, with the postseason field scheduled to be announced Nov. 15 following the conclusion of the regular season Nov. 14.

A team's ranking in the National Selection Committee Top 15 does not guarantee qualification or selection to the NAIA Football Championship Series.

The Frontier Conference football action continues Saturday (times in Mountain Time):

• Mayville State (N.D.) at Dakota State (S.D.) - 12 p.m.
• Dickinson State (N.D.) at MSU-Northern - 1 p.m.
• Rocky Mountain (Mont.) at (4) Montana Tech - 1 p.m.
• Montana Western at Eastern Oregon - 2 p.m.
• Southern Oregon at (12) Carroll (Mont.) - 6 p.m.
• (2) College of Idaho at Arizona Christian - 7 p.m.

 

NSC - No. - 1 - Oct. 27	#2	#4	#12	----	----	----	----
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