Ferris State selected as GLIAC favorite

August 1st, 2024 9:00am

From GLIAC Communications

Full press release 

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) announced the results of its preseason football poll on Thursday to open GLIAC Football Media Day, which took place in Grand Rapids, Mich.

The rankings were determined by a vote of the league coaches. 

Ferris State was selected to win the 2024 conference crown, receiving four of eight first-place votes. The Bulldogs own a 36-4 record over the past three seasons and have made nine-straight NCAA Division II postseason appearances. Ferris State is preseason ranked No. 4 in the nation by Lindy’s Sports.

Two-time defending GLIAC champion Grand Valley State, preseason ranked seventh by Lindy’s Sports, received three first-place votes in the GLIAC poll and was voted to finish second. Led by 2023 GLIAC Coach of the Year Scott Wooster, the Lakers posted an 11-2 overall record a year ago, including a perfect 6-0 mark in conference play, advancing to the NCAA Quarterfinals.

Davenport, which has put together back-to-back eight-win seasons, garnered one first-place vote and was selected third. 

Saginaw Valley State, which secured its third-consecutive winning season in 2023, was chosen fourth with 30 points. 

Michigan Tech (26), Wayne State (20), Northern Michigan (13) and conference-newcomer Roosevelt (7) rounded out the GLIAC preseason poll.

GLIAC football action gets underway in August with three games on the schedule -- Michigan Tech at Bemidji State (Aug. 29), Northern Michigan vs. Minnesota-Duluth (Aug. 29) and No. 4 Ferris State at No. 3 Pittsburg State (Aug. 31). 

2024 GLIAC Football Preseason Poll