| Increase in ranking | |||
| Decrease in ranking | |||
| Not ranked previous week | |||
| Italics | Number of first place votes | ||
| (#–#) | Win–loss record | ||
| т | Tied with team above or below also with this symbol |
Various publications release their preseason top 25 months before the season commences.
| Athlon | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Georgia Southern | |
| 2. | William & Mary | |
| 3. | Eastern Washington | |
| 4. | Montana State | |
| 5. | Appalachian State | |
| 6. | Delaware | |
| 7. | Richmond | |
| 8. | Wofford | |
| 9. | Jacksonville State | |
| 10. | Northern Iowa | |
| 11. | North Dakota State | |
| 12. | Massachusetts | |
| 13. | New Hampshire | |
| 14. | Lehigh | |
| 15. | Sacramento State | |
| 16. | Chattanooga | |
| 17. | Villanova | |
| 18. | Southern Illinois | |
| 19. | Montana | |
| 20. | Liberty | |
| 21. | Northwestern State | |
| 22. | Eastern Kentucky | |
| 23. | Indiana State | |
| 24. | Central Arkansas | |
| 25. | Jacksonville | |
| Athlon[3] |