The Bearcats played up to their No. 1 ranking and beat Emporia State 41-14.
Each and every week, NCAA.com brings you the DII football power rankings. As the 2016 season kicked off this past week, here are Week 1 rankings with records through Sept. 5:
| Rank | School | Record | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northwest Missouri | 1-0 | To be the champ, you must beat the champ. |
| 2 | West Georgia | 1-0 | Coming off two great seasons; poised to be the champ |
| 3 | Shepherd | 1-0 | Only loss last season was in national championship game |
| 4 | Texas A&M Commerce | 1-0 | Faces difficult road test at Delta State |
| 5 | Grand Valley State | 1-0 | Plays the second of three straight home games to start season |
| 6 | Colorado School of Mines | 1-0 | Impressive 36-point win over a top-five team |
| 7 | Minnesota State | 1-0 | Allowed only 40 yards rushing in road win |
| 8 | Ashland | 1-0 | Outrushed first opponent 315 yards to two yards |
| 9 | Ferris State | 1-0 | Extended regular season winning streak to 26 |
| 10 | Central Missouri | 1-0 | 7-point road victory at Pittsburg State |
| 11 | Henderson State | 1-0 | On the road in Week 2, will try to avenge last seasonâs lost to East Central |
| 12 | Humboldt State | 1-0 | Started season with road victory at Carson-Newman |
| 13 | Sioux Falls | 1-0 | 585 yards of total offense in season opener |
| 14 | Midwestern State | 1-0 | Sophomore Vincent Johnson rushed for three TDs in win |
| 15 | Tuskegee | 1-0 | Starts season with three games away from home |
| 16 | SW Minnesota St | 1-0 | 4-point win against No. 19 Minnesota Duluth |
