Austin Peay football ranked No. 9 in first FCS playoff rankings, would host first-round game

The first FCS playoff committee rankings were released on Oct. 20 as Austin Peay football slides in at No. 9.

The FCS playoff committee will rank the top 10 teams every week until Nov. 22, when the playoff bracket will be announced. The Governors will play their final regular-season game against Central Arkansas at 4 p.m. on Nov. 21 at Estes Stadium.

Austin Peay (6-2, 2-1 in United Athletic Conference) is coming off a 24-10 road win against West Georgia on Oct. 17, in which it scored 24 unanswered points. The Governors will stay on the road in Week 8, taking on North Alabama at 6 p.m. on Oct. 24 at Bobby Wallace Football Field.

The NCAA FCS Football Committee announces its Top 10 Rankings based on results through October 20, 2026. 🏈

🎟️ https://t.co/JCdOIlfAIP#FCSpic.twitter.com/ovgAStIEFb

— NCAA FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) October 20, 2026

More How No. 11 Austin Peay football's defense prevented potential upset to West Georgia

Montana State was ranked No. 1 in the FCS playoff committee rankings, followed by Tarleton State, who defeated Austin Peay 40-32 on Oct. 10 at Fortera Stadium. The Governors and the Texans are the two UAC teams to crack the rankings.

If the FCS playoffs started today, the Governors would host a first-round game at Fortera Stadium on Nov. 28. If they won, they'd travel to No. 8 South Dakota, which currently holds the final first-round bye.

Austin Peay wasn't the only in-state team in the conversation for a top-10 spot, as Tennessee Tech also received consideration.

FCS Football Top 10 Committee Rankings

1. Montana State (6-1)

2. Tarleton State (7-0)

3. Youngstown State (6-2)

4. Stephen F. Austin (7-0)

5. South Dakota State (5-2)

6. North Dakota (6-2)

7. Northern Arizona (6-2)

8. South Dakota (6-2)

9. Austin Peay (6-2)

10. Harvard (5-0)

Reach The Tennessean's high school writer, Jack Williams at jackwilliams@theleafchronicle.com and on the X platform @jackgwilliams.

This article originally appeared on Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle: Austin Peay football ranked No. 9 in first FCS playoff rankings, would host first-round game