WACO, Texas – Fort Hays State maintained its position in the latest edition of the AFCA Division II Poll, released on Monday (Oct. 16). The Tigers are No. 8 for a second straight week after all teams higher in the rankings also won. This is the sixth straight week the Tigers are in the Top 25 after entering back on September 11.
The Tigers are coming off a 37-20 win over Washburn this past week. Washburn was among the teams receiving votes last week and remain there this week along with Central Missouri. Northwest Missouri State remains No. 1 after cruising to a win over Northeastern State. The Tigers and Bearcats are now two games clear of the rest of the MIAA field at 7-0. Washburn and Central Missouri are both 5-2.
Fort Hays State has another strong road test this week at Missouri Western. The Griffons are coming off a 26-10 loss at Pittsburg State last week. Missouri Western ranks second in the nation in turnovers gained (22) and turnover margin per game (+2.0).
Below is the AFCA Poll for October 16, 2017.
| Rank | School (1st votes) | Record | Points | Prev. |
| 1. | Northwest Missouri State (34) | 7-0 | 850 | 1 |
| 2. | Shepherd (W.Va.) | 6-0 | 791 | 2 |
| 3. | Indiana (Pa.) | 7-0 | 782 | 3 |
| 4. | Minnesota State | 7-0 | 754 | 4 |
| 5. | Midwestern State (Texas) | 5-0 | 682 | 6 |
| 6. | Indianapolis (Ind.) | 7-0 | 678 | 5 |
| 7. | Grand Valley State (Mich.) | 6-1 | 635 | 7 |
| 8. | Fort Hays State (Kan.) | 7-0 | 616 | 8 |
| 9. | Central Washington | 7-0 | 572 | 10 |
| 10. | Texas A&M-Commerce | 5-1 | 541 | 11 |
| 11. | Winona State (Minn.) | 7-0 | 494 | 13 |
| 12. | Ferris State (Mich.) | 5-1 | 424 | 15 |
| 13. | Ashland (Ohio) | 6-1 | 423 | 16 |
| 14. | Assumption (Mass.) | 6-0 | 406 | 17 |
| 15. | Sioux Falls (S.D.) | 6-1 | 352 | 18 |
| 16. | Colorado Mesa | 6-1 | 307 | 20 |
| 17. | Slippery Rock (Pa.) | 6-1 | 288 | 9 |
| 18. | West Alabama | 6-1 | 271 | 23 |
| 19. | Delta State (Miss.) | 6-1 | 263 | 21 |
| 20. | Wingate (N.C.) | 6-0 | 243 | 24 |
| 21. | Virginia State | 6-0 | 165 | NR |
| 22. | Humboldt State (Calif.) | 5-1 | 154 | 25 |
| 23. | Bowie State (Md.) | 6-1 | 95 | 14 |
| 24. | Eastern New Mexico | 6-1 | 66 | NR |
| 25. | Southeastern Oklahoma State | 6-1 | 64 | 19 |
Others Receiving Votes: Colorado St.-Pueblo, 46; Notre Dame (Ohio), 28; California (Pa.), 16; Findlay (Ohio), 16; Central Missouri, 15; West Georgia, 11; Virginia Union, 1; Washburn (Kan.), 1.