View source for 1997 NCAA Division I-AA football rankings

{{short description|none}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
The '''1997 NCAA Division I-AA football rankings''' are from the [[The Sports Network (wire service)|Sports Network]] poll of Division I-AA head coaches, athletic directors, sports information directors and media members.  This is for the [[1997 NCAA Division I-AA football season|1997 season]].
==Legend==
{| style="border:1px solid black;"
|-
| style="background:#D8FFEB; width:20px; border:1px solid black;" |
| &nbsp;
| Increase in ranking
|-
| style="background:#FFE6E6; width:20px; border:1px solid black;" |
| &nbsp;
| Decrease in ranking
|-
| style="background:#FFFFE6; width:20px; border:1px solid black;" |
| &nbsp;
| Not ranked previous week
|-
| {{center|(#–#)}}
| &nbsp;
| Win–loss record
|-
| {{center|''(Italics)''}}
| &nbsp;
| Number of first place votes
|-
| {{center|т}}
|
| Tied with team above or below also with this symbol
|}
==The Sports Network poll==
{{clear right}}
{{ColPollTable
|Week1  = 0
|Week2  = 1
|Week3  = 2
|Week4  = 3
|Week5  = 4
|Week6  = 5
|Week7  = 6
|Week8  = 7
|Week9  = 8
|Week10 = 9
|Week11 = 10
|Week12 = 11
|Week13 = 12
|Week1Date  = <ref>{{cite news|title=Top 25 (TSN poll)|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|location=Great Falls, Montana|date=August 20, 1997|page=S1|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10697690/poll_1997_0820_i_aa/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=May 2, 2017}}{{Open access}}</ref>
|Week2Date  = Sept 2<ref>{{cite news|title=The Sports Network Division I-AA poll|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|location=Louisville, Kentucky|date=September 3, 1997|page=D5|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10712875/poll_1997_0903_i_aa/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=May 2, 2017}}{{Open access}}</ref>
|Week3Date  = Sept 9<ref>{{cite news|title=Division I-AA poll|newspaper=South Florida Sun Sentinel|location=Fort Lauderdale, Florida|date=September 9, 1997|page=11C|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10646799/poll_1997_0909_i_aa/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=April 30, 2017}}{{Open access}}</ref>
|Week4Date  = Sept 16<ref>{{cite news|title=I-AA Poll|newspaper=Reno Gazette-Journal|location=Reno, Nevada|date=September 16, 1997|page=5C|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10648521/poll_1997_0916_i_aa/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=April 30, 2017}}{{Open access}}</ref>
|Week5Date  = Sept 23<ref>{{cite news|title=NCAA I-AA poll|newspaper=The Salina Journal|location=Salina, Kansas|date=September 23, 1997|page=B2|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10713340/poll_1997_0923_i_aa/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=May 2, 2017}}{{Open access}}</ref>
|Week6Date  = Sept 30<ref>{{cite news|title=Div. I-AA Poll|newspaper=Hattiesburg American|location=Hattiesburg, Mississippi|date=October 1, 1997|page=2B|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10648534/poll_1997_1001_i_aa/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=April 30, 2017}}{{Open access}}</ref>
|Week7Date  = Oct 7<ref>{{cite news|title=College Football NCAA I-AA Top 25|newspaper=Lansing State Journal|location=Lansing, Michigan|date=October 7, 1997|page=2C|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10648539/poll_1997_1007_i_aa/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=April 30, 2017}}{{Open access}}</ref>
|Week8Date  = Oct 14<ref>{{cite news|title=NCAA Div. I-AA Poll|newspaper=The Index-Journal|location=Greenwood, South Carolina|date=October 14, 1997|page=5B|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10648546/poll_1997_1014_i_aa/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=April 30, 2017}}{{Open access}}</ref>
|Week9Date  = Oct 21<ref>{{cite news|title=NCAA Div. I-AA poll|newspaper=Iowa City Press-Citizen|location=Iowa City, Iowa|date=October 21, 1997|page=2B|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10648554/poll_1997_1021_i_aa/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=April 30, 2017}}{{Open access}}</ref>
|Week10Date  = Oct 28<ref>{{cite news|title=Div I-AA Poll|newspaper=Asheville Citizen-Times|location=Asheville, North Carolina|date=October 28, 1997|page=D4|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10648557/poll_1997_1028_i_aa/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=April 30, 2017}}{{Open access}}</ref>
|Week11Date = Nov 4<ref>{{cite news|title=Div. I-AA poll|newspaper=Iowa City Press-Citizen|location=Iowa City, Iowa|date=November 4, 1997|page=2B|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10648568/poll_1997_1104_i_aa/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=April 30, 2017}}{{Open access}}</ref>
|Week12Date = Nov 11<ref>{{cite news|title=Division I-AA|newspaper=Hartford Courant|location=Hartford, Connecticut|date=November 11, 1997|page=C6|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10648569/poll_1997_1111_i_aa/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=April 30, 2017}}{{Open access}}</ref>
|Week13Date = Nov 18<ref>{{cite news|title=Div. I-AA Poll|newspaper=Longview News-Journal|location=Longview, Texas|date=November 18, 1997|page=2D|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10648577/poll_1997_1118_i_aa/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=April 30, 2017}}{{Open access}}</ref>
|Week1-1    = [[1997 Montana Grizzlies football team|Montana]]
|Week1-2    = [[1997 Troy State Trojans football team|Troy State]]
|Week1-3    = {{cfb link|year=1997|team=Northern Iowa Panthers|title=Northern Iowa}}
|Week1-4    = [[1997 William & Mary Tribe football team|William & Mary]]
|Week1-5    = [[1997 Appalachian State Mountaineers football team|Appalachian State]]
|Week1-6    = [[1997 Eastern Illinois Panthers football team|Eastern Illinois]]
|Week1-7    = [[1997 Northern Arizona Lumberjacks football team|Northern Arizona]]
|Week1-8    = [[1997 Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football team|Delaware]]
|Week1-9    = [[1997 Western Illinois Leathernecks football team|Western Illinois]]
|Week1-10   = [[1997 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team|Western Kentucky]]
|Week1-11   = [[1997 Youngstown State Penguins football team|Youngstown State]]
|Week1-12   = {{cfb link|year=1997|team=East Tennessee State Buccaneers|title=East Tennessee State}}
|Week1-13   = {{cfb link|year=1997|team=Murray State Racers|title=Murray State}}
|Week1-14   = [[1997 Jackson State Tigers football team|Jackson State]]
|Week1-15   = {{cfb link|year=1997|team=Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks|title=Stephen F. Austin}}
|Week1-16   = [[1997 Furman Paladins football team|Furman]]
|Week1-17   = [[1997 Southern Jaguars football team|Southern]]
|Week1-18   = {{cfb link|year=1997|team=Florida A&M Rattlers|title=Florida A&M}}
|Week1-19   = {{cfb link|year=1997|team=Howard Bison|title=Howard}}
|Week1-20   = [[1997 Northwestern State Demons football team|Northwestern State]]
|Week1-21   = [[1997 New Hampshire Wildcats football team|New Hampshire]]
|Week1-22   = {{cfb link|year=1997|team=Eastern Kentucky Colonels|title=Eastern Kentucky}}
|Week1-23   = [[1997 Nicholls State Colonels football team|Nicholls State]]
|Week1-24   = [[1997 Southwest Missouri State Bears football team|SW Missouri State]]
|Week1-25   = [[1997 Buffalo Bulls football team|Buffalo]]
|Week2-1        = Montana (0–0)
|Week2-1-Color  =
|Week2-2        = Troy State (1–0)
|Week2-2-Color  =
|Week2-3        = William & Mary (1–0)
|Week2-3-Color  = u
|Week2-4        = Northern Iowa (0–0)
|Week2-4-Color  = d
|Week2-5        = Western Illinois (1–0)
|Week2-5-Color  = u
|Week2-6        = Delaware (0–0)
|Week2-6-Color  = u
|Week2-7        = East Tennessee State (1–0)
|Week2-7-Color  = u
|Week2-8        = Appalachian State (0–0)
|Week2-8-Color  = d
|Week2-9        = Youngstown State (1–0)
|Week2-9-Color  = u
|Week2-10       = Northern Arizona (0–1)
|Week2-10-Color = d
|Week2-11       = Western Kentucky (1–0)
|Week2-11-Color = d
|Week2-12       = Murray State (1–0)
|Week2-12-Color = u
|Week2-13       = Furman (0–0)
|Week2-13-Color = u
|Week2-14       = Jackson State (1–0)
|Week2-14-Color =
|Week2-15       = Stephen F. Austin (1–0)
|Week2-15-Color =
|Week2-16       = Florida A&M (1–0)
|Week2-16-Color = u
|Week2-17       = Southern (1–0)
|Week2-17-Color =
|Week2-18       = Northwestern State (0–0)
|Week2-18-Color = u
|Week2-19       = [[1997 Villanova Wildcats football team|Villanova]] (1–0)
|Week2-19-Color = npr
|Week2-20       = Howard (0–0)
|Week2-20-Color = d
|Week2-21       = Eastern Kentucky (0–0)
|Week2-21-Color = u
|Week2-22       = New Hampshire (0–0)
|Week2-22-Color = d
|Week2-23       = [[1997 Georgia Southern Eagles football team|Georgia Southern]] (1–0)
|Week2-23-Color = npr
|Week2-24       = Eastern Illinois (0–1)
|Week2-24-Color = d
|Week2-25       = Buffalo (1–0)
|Week2-25-Color =
|Week3-1        = Montana (0–0) ''(63)''
|Week3-1-Color  =
|Week3-2        = Troy State (2–0) ''(10)''
|Week3-2-Color  =
|Week3-3        = William & Mary (2–0) ''(3)''
|Week3-3-Color  =
|Week3-4        = Delaware (1–0)
|Week3-4-Color  = u
|Week3-5        = Western Illinois (2–0)
|Week3-5-Color  =
|Week3-6        = East Tennessee State (2–0)
|Week3-6-Color  = u
|Week3-7        = Youngstown State (2–0)
|Week3-7-Color  = u
|Week3-8        = Northern Arizona (0–1)
|Week3-8-Color  = u
|Week3-9        = Western Kentucky (2–0)
|Week3-9-Color  = u
|Week3-10       = Furman (1–0)
|Week3-10-Color = u
|Week3-11       = Appalachian State (0–1)
|Week3-11-Color = d
|Week3-12       = Jackson State (2–0)
|Week3-12-Color = u
|Week3-13       = Northern Iowa (0–1)
|Week3-13-Color = d
|Week3-14       = Stephen F. Austin (2–0)
|Week3-14-Color = u
|Week3-15       = Southern (2–0)
|Week3-15-Color = u
|Week3-16       = Florida A&M (1–0)
|Week3-16-Color =
|Week3-17       = Murray State (1–1)
|Week3-17-Color = d
|Week3-18       = Villanova (1–0)
|Week3-18-Color = u
|Week3-19       = Eastern Illinois (1–1)
|Week3-19-Color = u
|Week3-20       = [[1997 McNeese State Cowboys football team|McNeese State]] (1–0)
|Week3-20-Color = npr
|Week3-21       = Georgia Southern (1–1)
|Week3-21-Color = u
|Week3-22       = Eastern Kentucky (0–1)
|Week3-22-Color = d
|Week3-23       = Howard (0–1)
|Week3-23-Color = d
|Week3-24       = Northwestern State (0–1)
|Week3-24-Color = d
|Week3-25       = Nicholls State (1–1)
|Week3-25-Color = npr
|Week4-1        = Montana (1–0) ''(62)''
|Week4-1-Color  =
|Week4-2        = Troy State (2–0) ''(10)''
|Week4-2-Color  =
|Week4-3        = William & Mary (3–0) ''(7)''
|Week4-3-Color  =
|Week4-4        = Western Illinois (3–0)
|Week4-4-Color  = u
|Week4-5        = Youngstown State (2–0)
|Week4-5-Color  = u
|Week4-6        = Western Kentucky (3–0)
|Week4-6-Color  = u
|Week4-7        = Northern Arizona (1–1)
|Week4-7-Color  = u
|Week4-8        = Jackson State (3–0)
|Week4-8-Color  = u
|Week4-9        = Appalachian State (0–1)
|Week4-9-Color  = u
|Week4-10       = Villanova (2–0)
|Week4-10-Color = u
|Week4-11       = Delaware (1–1)
|Week4-11-Color = d
|Week4-12       = Northern Iowa (1–1)
|Week4-12-Color = u
|Week4-13       = Southern (3–0)
|Week4-13-Color = u
|Week4-14       = East Tennessee State (2–1)
|Week4-14-Color = d
|Week4-15       = Florida A&M (2–0)
|Week4-15-Color = u
|Week4-16       = McNeese State (2–0)
|Week4-16-Color = u
|Week4-17       = Stephen F. Austin (2–1)
|Week4-17-Color = d
|Week4-18       = Furman (1–1)
|Week4-18-Color = d
|Week4-19       = Eastern Illinois (2–1)
|Week4-19-Color =
|Week4-20       = Georgia Southern (1–1)
|Week4-20-Color = u
|Week4-21       = {{cfb link|year=1997|team=Eastern Washington Eagles|title=Eastern Washington}} (2–0)
|Week4-21-Color = npr
|Week4-22       = [[1997 Chattanooga Mocs football team|Chattanooga]] (2–0)
|Week4-22-Color = npr
|Week4-23       = Northwestern State (1–1)
|Week4-23-Color = u
|Week4-24       = {{cfb link|year=1997|team=Weber State Wildcats|title=Weber State}} (2–0)
|Week4-24-Color = npr
|Week4-25       = Nicholls State (1–1)
|Week4-25-Color =
|Week5-1        = Montana (2–0) ''(91)''
|Week5-1-Color  =
|Week5-2        = Youngstown State (3–0)
|Week5-2-Color  = u
|Week5-3        = Western Kentucky (4–0)
|Week5-3-Color  = u
|Week5-4        = Villanova (3–0)
|Week5-4-Color  = u
|Week5-5        = Northern Arizona (2–1)
|Week5-5-Color  = u
|Week5-6        = Appalachian State (1–1)
|Week5-6-Color  = u
|Week5-7        = Troy State (2–1)
|Week5-7-Color  = d
|Week5-8        = Western Illinois (3–1)
|Week5-8-Color  = d
|Week5-9        = William & Mary (3–1)
|Week5-9-Color  = d
|Week5-10       = Delaware (2–1)
|Week5-10-Color = u
|Week5-11       = McNeese State (3–0)
|Week5-11-Color = u
|Week5-12       = Florida A&M (3–0)
|Week5-12-Color = u
|Week5-13       = Southern (4–0)
|Week5-13-Color =
|Week5-14       = East Tennessee State (2–1)
|Week5-14-Color =
|Week5-15       = Nicholls State (2–1)
|Week5-15-Color = u
|Week5-16       = Eastern Illinois (3–1)
|Week5-16-Color = u
|Week5-17       = Stephen F. Austin (2–1)
|Week5-17-Color =
|Week5-18       = Furman (1–1)
|Week5-18-Color =
|Week5-19       = Jackson State (3–1)
|Week5-19-Color = d
|Week5-20       = Georgia Southern (2–1)
|Week5-20-Color =
|Week5-21       = Eastern Washington (3–0)
|Week5-21-Color =
|Week5-22       = Chattanooga (2–0)
|Week5-22-Color =
|Week5-23       = Northern Iowa (1–2)
|Week5-23-Color = d
|Week5-24       = Northwestern State (1–1)
|Week5-24-Color = d
|Week5-25       = [[1997 James Madison Dukes football team|James Madison]] (2–1)
|Week5-25-Color = npr
|Week6-1        = Montana (3–0) ''(91)''
|Week6-1-Color  =
|Week6-2        = Youngstown State (4–0)
|Week6-2-Color  =
|Week6-3        = Western Kentucky (5–0)
|Week6-3-Color  =
|Week6-4        = Villanova (3–0)
|Week6-4-Color  =
|Week6-5        = Northern Arizona (3–1)
|Week6-5-Color  =
|Week6-6        = Appalachian State (2–1)
|Week6-6-Color  =
|Week6-7        = Troy State (3–1)
|Week6-7-Color  =
|Week6-8        = William & Mary (4–1)
|Week6-8-Color  = u
|Week6-9        = Western Illinois (3–1)
|Week6-9-Color  = d
|Week6-10       = McNeese State (4–0)
|Week6-10-Color = u
|Week6-11       = Delaware (3–1)
|Week6-11-Color = d
|Week6-12       = Florida A&M (4–0)
|Week6-12-Color =
|Week6-13       = Southern (4–0)
|Week6-13-Color =
|Week6-14       = East Tennessee State (3–1)
|Week6-14-Color =
|Week6-15       = Eastern Illinois (4–1)
|Week6-15-Color = u
|Week6-16       = Stephen F. Austin (3–1)
|Week6-16-Color = u
|Week6-17       = Georgia Southern (3–1)
|Week6-17-Color = u
|Week6-18       = Furman (2–1)
|Week6-18-Color =
|Week6-19       = Jackson State (4–1)
|Week6-19-Color =
|Week6-20       = Eastern Washington (4–0)
|Week6-20-Color = u
|Week6-21       = Northwestern State (2–1)
|Week6-21-Color = u
|Week6-22       = James Madison (3–1)
|Week6-22-Color = u
|Week6-23       = Northern Iowa (2–2)
|Week6-23-Color =
|Week6-24       = Nicholls State (2–2)
|Week6-24-Color = d
|Week6-25       = Murray State (2–2)
|Week6-25-Color = npr
|Week7-1        = Youngstown State (5–0) ''(56)''
|Week7-1-Color  = u
|Week7-2        = Montana (3–1) ''(24)''
|Week7-2-Color  = d
|Week7-3        = Villanova (4–0) ''(8)''
|Week7-3-Color  = u
|Week7-4        = McNeese State (5–0) ''(3)''
|Week7-4-Color  = u
|Week7-5        = Western Illinois (4–1) ''(1)''
|Week7-5-Color  = u
|Week7-6        = Delaware (4–1)
|Week7-6-Color  = u
|Week7-7        = Western Kentucky (5–1)
|Week7-7-Color  = d
|Week7-8        = East Tennessee State (4–1) ''(1)''
|Week7-8-Color  = u
|Week7-9        = Southern (5–0)
|Week7-9-Color  = u
|Week7-10       = Eastern Illinois (5–1)
|Week7-10-Color = u
|Week7-11       = Georgia Southern (4–1)
|Week7-11-Color = u
|Week7-12       = Northern Arizona (3–2)
|Week7-12-Color = d
|Week7-13       = Stephen F. Austin (3–1)
|Week7-13-Color = u
|Week7-14       = Appalachian State (2–2)
|Week7-14-Color = d
|Week7-15       = Jackson State (5–1)
|Week7-15-Color = u
|Week7-16       = Florida A&M (4–1)
|Week7-16-Color = d
|Week7-17       = Northern Iowa (3–2)
|Week7-17-Color = u
|Week7-18       = Nicholls State (3–2)
|Week7-18-Color = u
|Week7-19       = Troy State (3–2)
|Week7-19-Color = d
|Week7-20       = Murray State (4–2)
|Week7-20-Color = u
|Week7-21       = [[1997 Richmond Spiders football team|Richmond]] (4–1)
|Week7-21-Color = npr
|Week7-22       = {{cfb link|year=1997|team=Texas State Bobcats|title=SW Texas State}} (3–1)
|Week7-22-Color = npr
|Week7-23       = William & Mary (4–2)
|Week7-23-Color = d
|Week7-24       = [[1997 Connecticut Huskies football team|Connecticut]] (4–0)
|Week7-24-Color = npr
|Week7-25       = [[1997 Hampton Pirates football team|Hampton]] (4–1)
|Week7-25-Color = npr
|Week8-1        = Youngstown State (6–0) ''(65)''
|Week8-1-Color  =
|Week8-2        = Montana (4–1) ''(21)''
|Week8-2-Color  =
|Week8-3        = Villanova (5–0) ''(4)''
|Week8-3-Color  =
|Week8-4        = McNeese State (6–0) ''(4)''
|Week8-4-Color  =
|Week8-5        = Western Illinois (5–1)
|Week8-5-Color  =
|Week8-6        = Delaware (5–1)
|Week8-6-Color  =
|Week8-7        = Western Kentucky (5–1)
|Week8-7-Color  =
|Week8-8        = Southern (5–0)
|Week8-8-Color  = u
|Week8-9        = Georgia Southern (5–1) ''(1)''
|Week8-9-Color  = u
|Week8-10       = Eastern Illinois (5–1)
|Week8-10-Color =
|Week8-11       = Northern Arizona (4–2)
|Week8-11-Color = u
|Week8-12       = Stephen F. Austin (4–1)
|Week8-12-Color = u
|Week8-13       = Jackson State (5–1)
|Week8-13-Color = u
|Week8-14       = East Tennessee State (4–2)
|Week8-14-Color = d
|Week8-15       = Nicholls State (4–2)
|Week8-15-Color = u
|Week8-16       = Troy State (4–2)
|Week8-16-Color = u
|Week8-17       = Murray State (5–2)
|Week8-17-Color = u
|Week8-18       = William & Mary (5–2)
|Week8-18-Color = u
|Week8-19       = Hampton (5–1)
|Week8-19-Color = u
|Week8-20       = Eastern Washington (5–1)
|Week8-20-Color = npr
|Week8-21       = Florida A&M (4–2)
|Week8-21-Color = d
|Week8-22       = Furman (3–2)
|Week8-22-Color = npr
|Week8-23       = {{cfb link|year=1997|team=South Carolina State Bulldogs|title=South Carolina State}} (5–0)
|Week8-23-Color = npr
|Week8-24       = Northern Iowa (3–3)
|Week8-24-Color = d
|Week8-25       = SW Texas State (3–2)
|Week8-25-Color = d
|Week9-1        = Villanova (6–0) ''(74)''
|Week9-1-Color  = u
|Week9-2        = McNeese State (6–0) ''(16)''
|Week9-2-Color  = u
|Week9-3        = Western Illinois (6–1) ''(2)''
|Week9-3-Color  = u
|Week9-4        = Delaware (6–1) ''(1)''
|Week9-4-Color  = u
|Week9-5        = Youngstown State (6–1) ''(2)''
|Week9-5-Color  = d
|Week9-6        = Montana (4–2)
|Week9-6-Color  = d
|Week9-7        = Western Kentucky (6–1)
|Week9-7-Color  =
|Week9-8        = Southern (6–0)
|Week9-8-Color  =
|Week9-9        = Eastern Illinois (6–1)
|Week9-9-Color  = u
|Week9-10       = Stephen F. Austin (5–1)
|Week9-10-Color = u
|Week9-11       = Northern Arizona (5–2)
|Week9-11-Color =
|Week9-12       = Eastern Washington (6–1)
|Week9-12-Color = u
|Week9-13       = East Tennessee State (4–2)
|Week9-13-Color = u
|Week9-14       = William & Mary (6–2)
|Week9-14-Color = u
|Week9-15       = Hampton (6–1)
|Week9-15-Color = u
|Week9-16       = Georgia Southern (5–2) ''(1)''
|Week9-16-Color = d
|Week9-17       = Northern Iowa (4–3)
|Week9-17-Color = u
|Week9-18       = South Carolina State (6–0)
|Week9-18-Color = u
|Week9-19       = Furman (4–2)
|Week9-19-Color = u
|Week9-20       = Jackson State (5–2)
|Week9-20-Color = d
|Week9-21       = Florida A&M (5–2)
|Week9-21-Color =
|Week9-22       = Appalachian State (3–3)
|Week9-22-Color = npr
|Week9-23       = {{cfb link|year=1997|team=Dayton Flyers|title=Dayton}} (7–0)
|Week9-23-Color = npr
|Week9-24       = {{cfb link|year=1997|team=North Carolina A&T Aggies|title=North Carolina A&T}} (5–1)
|Week9-24-Color = npr
|Week9-25       = Troy State (4–3)
|Week9-25-Color = d
|Week10-1        = Villanova (7–0) ''(89)''
|Week10-1-Color  =
|Week10-2        = Western Illinois (7–1) ''(3)''
|Week10-2-Color  = u
|Week10-3        = Delaware (7–1) ''(1)''
|Week10-3-Color  = u
|Week10-4        = Youngstown State (6–1)
|Week10-4-Color  = u
|Week10-5        = Western Kentucky (7–1)
|Week10-5-Color  = u
|Week10-6        = Southern (7–0) ''(1)''
|Week10-6-Color  = u
|Week10-7        = Stephen F. Austin (6–1)
|Week10-7-Color  = u
|Week10-8        = Eastern Illinois (7–1)
|Week10-8-Color  = u
|Week10-9        = McNeese State (6–1)
|Week10-9-Color  = d
|Week10-10       = Northern Arizona (6–2) ''(1)''
|Week10-10-Color = u
|Week10-11       = Eastern Washington (7–1) ''(1)''
|Week10-11-Color = u
|Week10-12       = East Tennessee State (5–2)
|Week10-12-Color = u
|Week10-13       = Hampton (7–1)
|Week10-13-Color = u
|Week10-14       = Georgia Southern (6–2)
|Week10-14-Color = u
|Week10-15       = Montana (4–3)
|Week10-15-Color = d
|Week10-16       = Jackson State (6–2)
|Week10-16-Color = u
|Week10-17       = Florida A&M (5–2)
|Week10-17-Color = u
|Week10-18       = Appalachian State (4–3)
|Week10-18-Color = u
|Week10-19       = [[1997 Cal Poly Mustangs football team|Cal Poly]] (7–0) ''(1)''
|Week10-19-Color = npr
|Week10-20       = William & Mary (6–3)
|Week10-20-Color = d
|Week10-21       = Dayton (8–0)
|Week10-21-Color = u
|Week10-22       = South Carolina State (6–1)
|Week10-22-Color = d
|Week10-23       = Chattanooga (6–1)
|Week10-23-Color = npr
|Week10-24       = {{cfb link|year=1997|team=Hofstra Flying Dutchmen|title=Hofstra}} (6–2)
|Week10-24-Color = npr
|Week10-25       = Nicholls State (5–3)
|Week10-25-Color = npr
|Week11-1        = Villanova (8–0) ''(83)''
|Week11-1-Color  =
|Week11-2        = Western Illinois (8–1) ''(6)''
|Week11-2-Color  =
|Week11-3        = Delaware (8–1) ''(1)''
|Week11-3-Color  =
|Week11-4        = Youngstown State (7–1)
|Week11-4-Color  =
|Week11-5        = Western Kentucky (8–1)
|Week11-5-Color  =
|Week11-6        = Southern (8–0) ''(3)''
|Week11-6-Color  =
|Week11-7        = Stephen F. Austin (7–1) ''(2)''
|Week11-7-Color  =
|Week11-8        = Eastern Washington (8–1) ''(2)''
|Week11-8-Color  = u
|Week11-9        = Eastern Illinois (8–1)
|Week11-9-Color  = d
|Week11-10       = McNeese State (7–1)
|Week11-10-Color = d
|Week11-11       = Georgia Southern (7–2)
|Week11-11-Color = u
|Week11-12       = Hampton (7–1)
|Week11-12-Color = u
|Week11-13       = Montana (5–3)
|Week11-13-Color = u
|Week11-14       = Jackson State (7–2)
|Week11-14-Color = u
|Week11-15       = Florida A&M (6–2)
|Week11-15-Color = u
|Week11-16       = Northern Arizona (6–3)
|Week11-16-Color = d
|Week11-17       = Appalachian State (5–3)
|Week11-17-Color = u
|Week11-18       = Dayton (9–0)
|Week11-18-Color = u
|Week11-19       = South Carolina State (7–1)
|Week11-19-Color = u
|Week11-20       = East Tennessee State (5–3)
|Week11-20-Color = d
|Week11-21       = Hofstra (7–2)
|Week11-21-Color = u
|Week11-22       = [[1997 Liberty Flames football team|Liberty]] (7–1)
|Week11-22-Color = npr
|Week11-23       = Cal Poly (7–1)
|Week11-23-Color = d
|Week11-24       = Eastern Kentucky (5–3)
|Week11-24-Color = npr
|Week11-25       = {{cfb link|year=1997|team=Northeastern Huskies|title=Northeastern}} (6–2)
|Week11-25-Color = npr
|Week12-1        = Villanova (9–0) ''(83)''
|Week12-1-Color  =
|Week12-2        = Western Illinois (9–1) ''(6)''
|Week12-2-Color  =
|Week12-3        = Delaware (9–1) ''(1)''
|Week12-3-Color  =
|Week12-4        = Youngstown State (8–1)
|Week12-4-Color  =
|Week12-5        = Western Kentucky (9–1)
|Week12-5-Color  =
|Week12-6        = Eastern Washington (9–1) ''(4)''
|Week12-6-Color  = u
|Week12-7        = McNeese State (8–1) ''(1)''
|Week12-7-Color  = u
|Week12-8        = Georgia Southern (8–2)
|Week12-8-Color  = u
|Week12-9        = Hampton (8–1) ''(2)''
|Week12-9-Color  = u
|Week12-10       = Florida A&M (7–2)
|Week12-10-Color = u
|Week12-11       = Montana (6–3)
|Week12-11-Color = u
|Week12-12       = Southern (8–1)
|Week12-12-Color = d
|Week12-13       = Jackson State (7–2)
|Week12-13-Color = u
|Week12-14       = Stephen F. Austin (7–2)
|Week12-14-Color = d
|Week12-15       = Appalachian State (6–3)
|Week12-15-Color = u
|Week12-16       = Eastern Illinois (8–2)
|Week12-16-Color = d
|Week12-17       = South Carolina State (8–1)
|Week12-17-Color = u
|Week12-18       = Dayton (9–0)
|Week12-18-Color =
|Week12-19       = East Tennessee State (6–3)
|Week12-19-Color = u
|Week12-20       = Liberty (8–1)
|Week12-20-Color = u
|Week12-21       = Hofstra (7–2)
|Week12-21-Color =
|Week12-22       = Cal Poly (8–1)
|Week12-22-Color = u
|Week12-23       = Eastern Kentucky (6–3)
|Week12-23-Color = u
|Week12-24       = Northeastern (7–2)
|Week12-24-Color = u
|Week12-25       = Northwestern State (6–3)
|Week12-25-Color = npr
|Week13-1        = Villanova (10–0) ''(83)''
|Week13-1-Color  =
|Week13-2        = Western Illinois (9–1) ''(3)''
|Week13-2-Color  =
|Week13-3        = Delaware (10–1)
|Week13-3-Color  =
|Week13-4        = Youngstown State (9–1) ''(1)''
|Week13-4-Color  =
|Week13-5        = Western Kentucky (9–1)
|Week13-5-Color  =
|Week13-6        = Eastern Washington (10–1) ''(6)''
|Week13-6-Color  =
|Week13-7        = McNeese State (9–1)
|Week13-7-Color  =
|Week13-8        = Georgia Southern (9–2) ''(1)''
|Week13-8-Color  =
|Week13-9        = Hampton (9–1) ''(1)''
|Week13-9-Color  =
|Week13-10       = Florida A&M (8–2)
|Week13-10-Color =
|Week13-11       = Montana (7–3)
|Week13-11-Color =
|Week13-12       = Southern (9–1)
|Week13-12-Color =
|Week13-13       = Stephen F. Austin (8–2)
|Week13-13-Color = u
|Week13-14       = Jackson State (8–2)
|Week13-14-Color = d
|Week13-15       = Appalachian State (7–3)
|Week13-15-Color =
|Week13-16       = Eastern Illinois (8–2)
|Week13-16-Color =
|Week13-17       = Hofstra (8–2)
|Week13-17-Color = u
|Week13-18       = Cal Poly (9–1)
|Week13-18-Color = u
|Week13-19       = Eastern Kentucky (7–3)
|Week13-19-Color = u
|Week13-20       = Northeastern (8–2)
|Week13-20-Color = u
|Week13-21       = Northwestern State (7–3)
|Week13-21-Color = u
|Week13-22       = South Carolina State (8–2)
|Week13-22-Color = d
|Week13-23       = Dayton (9–1)
|Week13-23-Color = d
|Week13-24       = [[1997 Bucknell Bison football team|Bucknell]] (10–0)
|Week13-24-Color = npr
|Week13-25       = Liberty (8–2)
|Week13-25-Color = d
|Week2Dropped   = {{ubl|23 Nicholls State|24 SW Missouri State}}
|Week3Dropped   = {{ubl|22 New Hampshire|25 Buffalo}}
|Week4Dropped   = {{ubl|17 Murray State|22 Eastern Kentucky|23 Howard}}
|Week5Dropped   = 24 Weber State
|Week6Dropped   = 22 Chattanooga
|Week7Dropped   = {{ubl|18 Furman|20 Eastern Washington|21 Northwestern State|22 James Madison}}
|Week8Dropped   = {{ubl|14 Appalachian State|21 Richmond|24 Connecticut}}
|Week9Dropped   = {{ubl|15 Nicholls State|17 Murray State|25 SW Texas State}}
|Week10Dropped  = {{ubl|17 Northern Iowa|19 Furman|24 North Carolina A&T|25 Troy State}}
|Week11Dropped  = {{ubl|20 William & Mary|23 Chattanooga|25 Nicholls State}}
|Week12Dropped  = 16 Northern Arizona
|Week13Dropped  = 19 East Tennessee State
}}
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{NCAA football rankings navbox}}
[[Category:1997 NCAA Division I-AA football season|Rankings]]
[[Category:NCAA Division I FCS football rankings]]