| Rank | Team | Comments | Prior | |
| 1 |  | Sam Houston | Bearkats won the spring FCS National Championship. Does their new conference affiliation mean adjustment for them or others? | |
| 2 |  | James Madison | Dukes were controlling SHSU in semifinals before an epic collapse. Don't expect that again. Almost everyone is back. | |
| 3 |  | South Dakota State | Jackrabbits had a great spring season, literally coming seconds away from winning the National Championship. Will they repeat it? | |
| 4 |  | North Dakota State | Bison couldn't continue the run forever. 7-3 was a dissapointment in Fargo, tells you how good they've been. Is it rebound time? | |
| 5 |  | Delaware | Blue Hens had a terrific spring going until facing SDSU. That was ugly. Can they build on spring and overtake JMU in the CAA? | |
| 6 |  | Montana | Grizzlies dominated a couple "exhibition" games this spring. Most weapons return but will they regret playing a "practice" schedule? | |
| 7 |  | Weber State | Wildcats' on again-off again spring schedule probably hurt their consistency. Still a defensive stalwart. Can we get more offense? | |
| 8 |  | Southern Illinois | Salukis lost in quarterfinals by MVFC friendly fire, to SDSU. The build to power has been constant. Now, let's see them continue it. | |
| 9 |  | Jacksonville State | Gamecocks lost at home in the quarters to Delaware. That had to sting. Still, JSU seems ready to jump back to the upper echelon. | |
| 10 |  | Eastern Washington | Eagles' offense was in top form in the spring and should be still. A middle-of-the-road defense and this team will be very dangerous. | |
| 11 |  | Central Arkansas | Bears played in the fall last year, but not the spring, so no playoffs. A lot of the big pieces remain for a big season. | |
| 12 |  | Montana State | Bobcats had no spring season, but the 2019 team was 11-4 and a semifinalist. Most feel a repeat is likely. Back up to speed quickly? | |
| 13 |  | Monmouth | Hawks have positioned themselves as the boss of the Big South. A new contender is coming, will they continue their stranglehold? | |
| 14 |  | North Dakota | Fighting Hawks used three straight home games in spring to jump start their year. Successful start in MVFC. Here to stay? | |
| 15 |  | Southeastern Louisiana | Lions have new, very sharp logo. This offense is scary, if their defense catches up, who knows how far they could go? | |
| 16 |  | North Carolina A&T | Aggies leave the MEAC for the Big South and look to contend from the start. Fans been talking the talk, can the team walk the walk? | |
| 17 |  | VMI | Keydets upset the SoCon apple cart and made the playoffs this spring. Have they turned around the program for good? | |
| 18 |  | UC Davis | Aggies were 3-2 this spring, missing playoffs. Still, spirits and optimism about in the Bay Area. Form return to 2018 or 2019? | |
| 19 |  | Chattanooga | Mocs used spring as an extend scrimmage session. Played a lot of different faces, gaining experience. Sound strategy? | |
| 20 |  | Villanova | Wildcats were 2-2 this spring. A team notoriously snakebitten by injuries, a healthy season with QB Smith could be very fruitful. | |
| 21 |  | UNI | Panthers were hurt by injury and opt-outs as bad as anyone in the spring. Defense is the calling card. Can the offense ever catch up? | |
| 22 |  | Albany | Great Danes had a disappointing spring. Oh well. They're a fall season removed from 9-5 and QB Undercuffler is one of the best. | |
| 23 |  | Murray State | After a good spring season and Jacksonville State leaving the OVC, can the Racers become the conference's new boss? | |
| 24 |  | Florida A&M | Rattlers have left the MEAC for the SWAC, but top of the heap looks to where they want to stay. Can they adjust to new opponents? | |
| 25 |  | Sacramento State | Hornets didn't play spring ball. But the last time they did, they went 9-3 and were a #4 seed in the playoffs. Can they jump start in 2021? | |
| Hornets didn't play spring ball. But the last time they did, they went 9-3 and were a #4 seed in the playoffs. Can they jump start in 2021? |
