Troy jumped into the national rankings for the first time since joining Division I-A, landing at 25th in the latest Associated Press rankings.
The Trojans received 63 poll points and are one of three teams not ranked last week to jump in this week. The poll was released Sunday afternoon.
The others are Southern California, which leaped to 15th after beating previous-No. 4 Washington, and San Diego State, which is 24th.
North Carolina's freefall from 15th to out of the poll after a one-point loss to Duke opened a spot for Troy.
The Trojans (8-1, 5-0 Sun Belt) beat Appalachian State 28-24 on Saturday and host Arkansas State on Thursday night.