Four FBS college football programs have never appeared in an Associated Press Top 25 poll since the rankings began 90 years ago in 1936, but early-season performances this fall could finally break those historical droughts. Florida Atlantic, New Mexico, UMass, and North Dakota State all enter conference schedules with genuine potential to crack the AP rankings for the first time in their respective top-tier histories.
Program Breakdowns and Current Records
The Owls’ lone defeat came against a top-10 Florida squad, leaving them positioned to stack wins and capture national voter attention. New Mexico also carries a 3-1 record into Mountain West play, rebounding sharply from a narrow one-possession loss to Oklahoma earlier this month.
UMass stands out as one of the nation’s primary surprises, opening undefeated in its first season competing in the Mid-American Conference. While the Minutemen have not yet secured AP votes, a continued winning run threatens to push them into the conversation. Meanwhile, North Dakota State opened its inaugural FBS campaign with a 4-0 record after transitioning from the FCS into the Mountain West. According to AP voting archives, the Bison collected six points in the Week 5 AP Poll, adding to a long history of receiving votes during their FCS powerhouse era.
Historical precedent exists for the Bison making the leap. James Madison cracked the AP Top 25 at No. 25 during Week 7 of the 2022 season, marking the first year of that program’s FBS transition. Appalachian State notably earned AP votes in 2007.
Longer-standing AP droughts are also approaching potential endpoints across the sport. Northwestern last appeared in the AP Poll in 2020. Following a narrow battle against No. 6 Indiana, the Wildcats secured one point in the latest AP Poll. At 2-1 in the Big Ten, Northwestern faces a direct path to ranked opponents that could propel them back into the Top 25. Neither Virginia Tech nor Louisiana has featured in the rankings since 2021. The Hokies sit just outside the poll at No. 30 with 86 voting points, while Louisiana holds a 3-1 record as the top team in the Sun Belt West following a sole loss to a ranked USC team.
AP Poll history and FBS team rankings
When did the Associated Press college football poll begin?
The AP Poll began ranking college football teams 90 years ago in 1936.
Which teams have never made an AP Poll in their FBS history?
Florida Atlantic, New Mexico, North Dakota State, and UMass have never appeared in the AP Top 25 during their time in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Has North Dakota State ever received AP votes before?
Yes. AP voting archives show the Bison received votes on multiple occasions while competing in the FCS, including earning six points in the Week 5 AP Poll of their debut FBS season.
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