ETTRICK, Va. (October 18, 2026) – Virginia State University football is ranked No. 4 in Super Region One and No. 24 nationally in the first NCAA Power Index (NPI) rankings released Sunday, October 18. The Trojans are the highest-ranked team in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), continuing their strong start to the 2026 season.
Virginia State holds a 7-1 overall record, including a perfect 7-0 record against NCAA Division II opponents. The Trojans are one of three CIAA programs represented among the top 10 teams in Super Region One, joining Virginia Union University and Johnson C. Smith University.
The rankings mark the first official release under the NCAA's new NPI system for Division II football, which replaces the traditional regional ranking process beginning with the 2026 season. The system evaluates teams based on game results and strength of schedule, establishing national rankings while continuing to reflect each team's standing within its region for NCAA championship consideration.
Under the new system, Virginia State's national NPI ranking of No. 24 places the Trojans fourth among teams in Super Region One, behind Slippery Rock, Kutztown and East Stroudsburg.
NCAA Division II Football Super Region One Rankings
Released Sunday, October 18, 2026 | Games through October 17
| Regional Rank |
Team |
Conference |
National NPI Rank |
| 1 |
Slippery Rock |
PSAC |
1 |
| 2 |
Kutztown |
PSAC |
8 |
| 3 |
East Stroudsburg |
PSAC |
15 |
| 4 |
Virginia State |
CIAA |
24 |
| 5 |
West Liberty |
MEC |
26 |
| 6 |
Indiana (PA) |
PSAC |
28 |
| 7 |
Virginia Union |
CIAA |
31 |
| 8 |
Johnson C. Smith |
CIAA |
36 |
| 9 |
Franklin Pierce |
NE10 |
38 |
| 10 |
Assumption |
NE10 |
40 |
Understanding the NCAA Power Index
The NCAA Power Index, or NPI, is a ranking system used in Division II and Division III to evaluate team performance. NPI considers game results and the strength of opponents to calculate each team's NPI value and national ranking.
Unlike the previous regional ranking system, NPI calculations are updated throughout the season as teams play additional contests and the NPI values of their opponents change. A team's final NPI is not determined until the final games and rankings of the season are complete.
The NPI will be updated each Sunday for the remainder of the regular season leading up to the NCAA Division II Football Selection Show on Sunday, November 15. The final rankings will not be made public on November 15 until after the Selection Show.
The rankings will play an important role in determining the field for the NCAA Division II Football Championship, making each remaining contest significant as the Trojans continue their pursuit of a postseason berth.
For more information about the NCAA Power Index, visit
NCAA.org.
