September 14, 2026

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Five Frontier Conference football teams remain nationally ranked in the first regular-season edition of STADIONIC-NAIA Football Coaches’ Top 25 Poll, announced Monday by the national office. 

Montana Tech and College of Idaho highlight the Frontier Conference contingent inside the top five, while Carroll (Mont.), Montana Western and Dakota State (S.D.) also earned spots in the national rankings.

Montana Tech (3-0 overall record) climbed two positions from No. 5 to No. 3, making the Orediggers the highest-ranked Frontier Conference team. Tech has navigated an unbeaten start while holding opponents to 7.0 points per game, the fifth-best mark nationally (defeated RV Ottawa, Ariz.; No. 11 Carroll, and No. 18 Montana Western).  It is the highest ranking in Montana Tech's football program history.

College of Idaho (2-0 overall record) remained at No. 4. The Yotes have been strong on both sides of the football during their undefeated start, ranking seventh nationally in scoring offense at 50.0 points per game and seventh in scoring defense at 10.0 points allowed per contest.

Carroll (Mont.) (1-1 overall record) slipped four positions from No. 11 to No. 15, while Montana Western (1-1 overall record) moved down three spots from No. 18 to No. 21.

Dakota State (S.D.) (2-1 overall record) moved up two positions to No. 23 after being ranked No. 25 in the preseason poll. The Trojans are nationally ranked for the second consecutive poll this season.

Defending NAIA national champion Grand View (Iowa) remained the unanimous No. 1 selection, collecting all 13 first-place votes. Keiser (Fla.) held at No. 2, followed by Montana Tech, College of Idaho and Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) to complete the top five.

The Frontier Conference Crossover starts their 2-week action this Saturday.  Saturday's schedule include: 

• Arizona Christian at (23) Dakota State (S.D.) - 1 p.m. (Central Time)/12 p.m. (Mountain Time)/11 a.m. (Pacific Time)
• (4) College of Idaho at MSU-Northern - 1 p.m. (CT)/12 p.m. (MT)/11 a.m. (PT)
• Rocky Mountain (Mont.) at (21) Montana Western - 2 p.m. (CT)/1 p.m. (MT)/12 p.m. (PT)
• Eastern Oregon at Valley City State (N.D.) - 2 p.m. (CT)/1 p.m. (MT)/12 p.m. (PT)
• Dickinson State (N.D.) at (15) Carroll (Mont.) - 2 p.m. (CT)/1 p.m. (MT)/12 p.m. (PT) - Coverage on SWX Local Sports Montana
• Southern Oregon at (3) Montana Tech - 2 p.m. (CT)/1 p.m. (MT)/12 p.m. (PT)
• Simpson (Calif.) at Mayville State (N.D.) - 2 p.m. (CT)/1 p.m. (MT)/12 p.m. (PT)

 

No. 1 - Sept. 14	#3	#4	#15	#21	#23	----
Pre - Aug. 24	#5	#4	#11	#18	#25	RV