Stephen F. Austin is No. 4 in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Committee’s first FCS Top 10, putting the unbeaten Lumberjacks in position to contend for a first-round bye. The ranking reinforces SFA’s standing as one of the nation’s top teams, though the committee will issue another ranking after Week 10.

By the Numbers
  • SFA is 7-0, one of two FCS teams with seven wins and no losses.
  • The Lumberjacks are No. 2 in both major FCS polls and No. 4 in the committee ranking.
  • SFA leads the nation in sacks, ranks second in total offense and third in scoring offense, scoring defense, tackles for loss and rushing defense.
  • The team has won 17 straight regular-season games, 11 straight at home and 11 straight Southland Conference games.
Yes, But

The committee ranking is an early snapshot, not a final playoff decision. At-large selections will also weigh records, strength of schedule, regional committee input, game film and season-specific metrics.

State of Play
  • The committee’s first ranking has SFA fourth, behind Montana State, Tarleton State and Youngstown State.
  • The 2026 playoff field will include 11 automatic qualifiers and 13 at-large teams.
  • SFA returns home Oct. 24 to face Southeastern Louisiana in a Southland Conference matchup.
What’s Next

The committee’s second Top 10 is scheduled for Nov. 5, after Week 10 action. SFA’s next test is a 5 p.m. homecoming game against Southeastern Louisiana, followed by the FCS Selection Show on Nov. 22.

Bottom Line

SFA has earned a place among the leading contenders, but its path to a playoff bye depends on sustaining its unbeaten run and making its case to the committee as the season progresses.