Tarleton State Leads Week 8 FCS Top 25 Schedule
Tarleton State holds the top spot as the 2026 FCS season reaches Week 8, heading into an away matchup against West Georgia on Saturday at 2 p.m. ET on ESPN+, according to a Stats Perform media poll report from Opta Analyst. National panel voters shape the rankings released each Monday, setting the stage for a slate featuring multiple clashes between ranked opponents across the country.
Top-Ranked Showdowns Fill Saturday Slate
Second-ranked Stephen F. Austin hosts No. 23 Southeastern Louisiana in a Southland Conference game at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN+. Meanwhile, third-ranked Montana State welcomes No. 22 Weber State to Bozeman for a 3 p.m. ET kickoff broadcast on ESPN+ and Scripps. In the Missouri Valley Football Conference, sixth-ranked North Dakota travels to face eighth-ranked South Dakota at 2 p.m. ET on ESPN+ and MidCo Sports.
Other ranked teams face unranked opponents on the road or at home. Fifth-ranked South Dakota State hosts Murray State at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN+ and MidCo Sports 2. Ninth-ranked Austin Peay visits North Alabama at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+, and 11th-ranked Lehigh travels to Villanova for a 3:30 p.m. ET game on ESPN+.
Matchups and Broadcast Details Across Divisions
- West Georgia (1-6, 0-2) hosts No. 1 Tarleton State (7-0, 2-0 UAC) at 2 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
- No. 3 Montana State (6-1, 3-1 Big Sky) vs. No. 22 Weber State (5-3, 4-1), 3 p.m. ET (ESPN+/Scripps)
- No. 6 North Dakota (6-2, 3-1 MVFC) at No. 8 South Dakota (6-2, 3-1), 2 p.m. ET (ESPN+/MidCo Sports)
- No. 15 Harvard (5-0, 2-0 Ivy) vs. Princeton (4-1, 2-0), 3 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
- Bethune-Cookman (4-3, 2-1) plays host to No. 24 Jackson State (6-1, 3-1 SWAC) at 3 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
Several teams in the Top 25 enjoy a bye week during Week 8, including fourth-ranked Youngstown State, seventh-ranked Northern Arizona, 14th-ranked Montana, and 17th-ranked Mercer. Action resumes next week following the release of the updated Stats Perform media poll on Monday.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Week 8 Schedule
Which ranked FCS teams have a bye in Week 8?
Fourth-ranked Youngstown State, seventh-ranked Northern Arizona, 14th-ranked Montana, and 17th-ranked Mercer do not play games during Week 8.
Where can viewers watch the matchup between Montana State and Weber State?
The game between third-ranked Montana State and No. 22 Weber State airs live at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN+ and Scripps.
What time does the North Dakota versus South Dakota game start?
Sixth-ranked North Dakota visits eighth-ranked South Dakota at 2 p.m. ET with coverage on ESPN+ and MidCo Sports.