The Northern State University football team returned to the AFCA Top-25 Poll release this week, receiving votes by the organization. The Wolves were last ranked in the October 5th edition of the poll.
Northern is joined by NSIC opponents No. 5 Minnesota State, No. 20 Minnesota Duluth, (RV) Augustana, and (RV) Wayne State. The Wolves will face off against the Vikings at 6 p.m. on Saturday from Dacotah Bank Stadium.
2026 AFCA Division II Coaches Poll, presented by GoRout Gridiron – October 26, 2026
| Rank | School (1st votes) | Rec. | Pts. | Prev. |
| 1. | Ferris St. (29) | 8-0 | 749 | 1 |
| 2. | Harding | 8-0 | 719 | 2 |
| 3. | Kutztown | 8-0 | 681 | 3 |
| 4. | CSU Pueblo | 8-0 | 649 | 4 |
| 5. | Minnesota St. | 8-0 | 639 | 5 |
| 6. | Western Colorado | 8-0 | 584 | 6 |
| 7. | Slippery Rock | 8-0 | 569 | 7 |
| 8. | Emporia St. | 8-0 | 540 | 8 |
| 9. | Davenport | 8-0 | 505 | 9 |
| 10. | Northwood | 8-0 | 470 | 10 |
| 11. | Northwest Missouri St. | 6-1 | 437 | 11 |
| 12. | Central Washington | 6-2 | 420 | 13 |
| 13. | Findlay | 7-1 | 388 | 14 |
| 14. | Carson-Newman | 7-1 | 346 | 15 |
| 15. | Michigan Tech | 6-2 | 322 | 12 |
| 16. | North Greenville | 7-1 | 280 | 18 |
| 17. | Valdosta St. | 5-1 | 271 | 17 |
| 18. | Henderson St. | 7-1 | 246 | 19 |
| 19. | Virginia Union | 7-1 | 212 | 20 |
| 20. | Minnesota-Duluth | 6-2 | 182 | 21 |
| 21. | Benedict | 7-1 | 161 | 23 |
| 22. | Virginia St. | 7-1 | 114 | 24 |
| 23. | West Liberty | 7-1 | 67 | NR |
| 24. | East Stroudsburg | 7-1 | 60 | NR |
| 25. | Grand Valley St. | 5-3 | 39 | 16 |
Others Receiving Votes: Augustana (S.D.), 36; Wayne St. (Neb.), 16; Midwestern St., 11; Colorado Mines, 8; Northeastern St., 5; Ouachita Baptist, 5; Central Missouri, 4; Indiana (Pa.), 4; UNC Pembroke, 4; Northern St., 3; Washburn, 2; West Alabama, 2.
