By Valdosta State Athletics

VALDOSTA — For the first time since Nov. 18, 2019, the Valdosta State football team is back on top of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II Top 25. The Blazers had a bye this past Saturday and host Chowan on Nov. 2, 2024, at 3 p.m. at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.

The Blazers had been No. 2 in the poll last week after being slotted at third the previous five weeks. Following VSU in the poll this week, is Ferris State (Michigan) who had a huge 34-7 victory over then-No. 1 Grand Valley State on Saturday, dropping the Lakers from the ranks of the unbeatens.

Ouachita Baptist, who defended then-No. 1 Harding the week before last, moved to third, followed by Kutztown and Pittsburg State rounds out the top five after its 35-21 win over previously undefeated then-No. 9 Central Oklahoma on Saturday.

Harding sits sixth, followed by Grand Valley State, Western Colorado, Charleston and Colorado State-Pueblo rounds out the top ten. VSU, Ouachita Baptist, Kutztown, Western Colorado and Charleston remain undefeated among teams in the top ten, while Johnson C. Smith is undefeated at 16^th.

Lenoir-Rhyne sits 12^th among teams ranked in Super Region Two, while West Alabama is 15^th and aforementioned Johnson C. Smith is 16^th, while West Florida is 21^st and Carson-Newman, who suffered its first loss on Saturday fell from 17^th to 24^th. Emory & Henry, Wingate, Virginia Union, Delta State and Miles all are among others receiving votes.

As for the D2Football.com poll, Pittsburg State took over the top spot following its win moving from third to first, while Ferris State jumped from fourth to second following the win over GVSU and VSU dropped from second to third. Kutztown moved to fourth, while Ouachita Baptist moved up two spots from seventh to fifth.

Grand Valley State fell from the top spot to sixth, followed by Harding, Western Colorado, Central Oklahoma and Colorado State-Pueblo rounded out the top ten. West Alabama is 17^th in the poll, while Johnson C. Smith is 19^th, Emory & Henry is 23^rd and Carson-Newman fell to 25^th from 17^th for Super Region Two teams.