The Illinois State football team stands at No. 19 in both major FCS national polls after opening its season with a 46-0 victory over NAIA program Saint Xavier last Saturday.
The Redbirds are up two spots from 21st in the STATS rankings as part of five Missouri Valley Football Conference teams in the top 25.
North Dakota State is first, South Dakota State third, Northern Iowa 21st and South Dakota 23rd.
The Redbirds face Eastern Illinois in the Mid-America Classic on Saturday in a 6:30 p.m. kickoff at Hancock Stadium.