The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference is making its presence felt in Division II football. With Kentucky State climbing to the top of the latest NCAA Power Index rankings, the SIAC continues to set the pace in Super Region Two.
Released Sunday, Oct. 25, the updated rankings placed Kentucky State at No. 1, Edward Waters at No. 2 and Benedict at No. 3. Central State also made a significant move, climbing three spots to No. 5 and giving the SIAC four teams among the region’s top five.
The conference now has five programs ranked in the regional top 10, up from four in the previous rankings.
Kentucky State Takes Over the Top Spot
Kentucky State made the biggest statement at the top of the rankings, moving up from No. 2 in the inaugural Oct. 18 release to claim the No. 1 position.
The Thorobreds hold a 7-1 Division II record and a 61.422 NPI score. Edward Waters follows with a 60.860 score and a 5-1 record, while Benedict remains at No. 3 with a 60.251 score and a 7-1 record.
The conference’s dominance extends beyond the regional standings. All three programs rank among the nation’s top 15 in the NPI, with Kentucky State at No. 10 nationally, Edward Waters at No. 13 and Benedict at No. 15.
For the SIAC, that concentration of teams near the top highlights the conference’s strength as the season moves closer to the postseason.
Central State and Tuskegee Climb
Central State continued the conference’s upward movement, jumping from No. 8 to No. 5. The Marauders have a 5-1 record and a 58.731 NPI score, placing them No. 20 nationally.
Tuskegee also moved into the regional top 10, rising one spot to No. 10 with a 53.394 score and a 4-3 record.
Those gains give the SIAC five teams among the region’s top 10: Kentucky State, Edward Waters, Benedict, Central State and Tuskegee.
More SIAC Programs Fill the Regional Rankings
The conference’s representation stretches well beyond the top 10, with several other programs appearing throughout the 33-team Super Region Two standings.
Miles sits at No. 13 with a 3-3 record and a 51.481 NPI score. Morehouse recorded one of the SIAC’s biggest jumps, climbing five positions to No. 16 with a 3-3 record and a 50.373 score.
The remaining SIAC teams in the rankings are Clark Atlanta at No. 21, Albany State at No. 23, Fort Valley State at No. 25, Allen at No. 26, Lane at No. 29 and Savannah State at No. 30.
In total, 11 SIAC programs appear in the Super Region Two rankings, giving the conference a substantial presence across the regional field.
What the NCAA Power Index Means for the Playoff Picture
The NCAA introduced the Division II football Power Index in 2026, replacing the traditional regional ranking process. The system evaluates teams using game results and strength of schedule to produce national rankings while also reflecting where teams stand within their regions for championship consideration.
In simple terms, the NPI gives teams another way to measure their postseason position as the regular season winds down. Strong records matter, but the system also considers the overall strength of a team’s schedule.
The rankings are updated each Sunday for the remainder of the season, leading up to the NCAA Division II Football Championship Selection Show on Sunday, Nov. 15. The final rankings will not be made public until after the selection show.
For the SIAC, the latest update provides plenty of momentum. Kentucky State has reached the top of the region, Edward Waters and Benedict remain close behind, and Central State’s rise strengthens the conference’s position near the top of the standings.
With postseason selection approaching, the next rankings will be important as teams continue working to strengthen their cases for championship consideration.
Source attribution: Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), Oct. 25, 2026.
