2023 NSIC Preseason Coaches Poll

[wscsuperfan]

https://northernsun.org/news/2023/8/...ches-poll.aspx

NSIC Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Bemidji State (4) - 131 pts
2. Minnesota State-Mankato (5) - 125
3. Wayne State (2) - 114
4. Augustana (2) - 112
5. Minnesota-Duluth - 109
6. Winona State - 103
7t. Northern State - 75
7t. Sioux Falls - 75
9. Southwest Minnesota State - 50
10. Minnesota State-Moorhead - 45
11. Concordia-St. Paul - 35
12t. Mary - 20
12t. Minot State - 20

[wscsuperfan]

Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
QB - Brandon Alt, Bemidji State

• Harlon Hill Finalist (8th)
• D2football.com Elite 100 Squad
• Don Hansen All-America Honorable Mention
• D2CCA All-Super Region 4 Second Team
• NSIC Offensive Player of the Year
• All-NSIC North Division First Team
• Led the NSIC and ranked third and fourth in passing yards (3,864) and passing touchdowns (38)
• Eighth in Division II in points responsible for (230) and sixth in passing yards per game (297.2)
• Led the NSIC and was 12th in DII in passing efficiency (156.6)
• Threw for over 350 yards in four games and over 250 yards in 11 games

Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
DL - Ian Marshall, Northern State

• 2022 NSIC Newcomer and Defensive Player of the Year
• 2022 NSIC All-Conference first team
• AFCA, D2CCA, and Don Hansen All-American in 2022
• Finalist for the 2022 Cliff Harris Award
• Broke the Northern State single game school record with 4.0 sacks against Minot
• Racked up 24.5 tackles for a loss and 14.0 sacks, ranking in the top-10 all-time after just one season

[vsukerosene]

https://northernsun.org/news/2023/8/...ches-poll.aspx

NSIC Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Bemidji State (4) - 131 pts
2. Minnesota State-Mankato (5) - 125
3. Wayne State (2) - 114
4. Augustana (2) - 112
5. Minnesota-Duluth - 109
6. Winona State - 103
7t. Northern State - 75
7t. Sioux Falls - 75
9. Southwest Minnesota State - 50
10. Minnesota State-Moorhead - 45
11. Concordia-St. Paul - 35
12t. Mary - 20
12t. Minot State - 20

This one surprises me a bit. When was the last time someone other than Mankato, Duluth or Augustana were picked first?

[BulldogFan]

https://northernsun.org/news/2023/8/...ches-poll.aspx

NSIC Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Bemidji State (4) - 131 pts
2. Minnesota State-Mankato (5) - 125
3. Wayne State (2) - 114
4. Augustana (2) - 112
5. Minnesota-Duluth - 109
6. Winona State - 103
7t. Northern State - 75
7t. Sioux Falls - 75
9. Southwest Minnesota State - 50
10. Minnesota State-Moorhead - 45
11. Concordia-St. Paul - 35
12t. Mary - 20
12t. Minot State - 20

Looks like everyone is pretty certain on who the top 2 teams are and 3-6 is a jump ball. Personally, I agree with 1 & 2 but I'd have Augustana at 6 and slide Wayne, UMD, and Winona ahead of them. I still think we will see 3-4 NSIC teams in the playoffs this year.

[zimmy21]

This one surprises me a bit. When was the last time someone other than Mankato, Duluth or Augustana were picked first?

A very long time, as best as I can track it was 2007, which was before Mankato, Duluth, and Augustana were in the conference...Bemidji State was the preseason champ then too!

[wsuguy87]

Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
QB - Brandon Alt, Bemidji State

• Harlon Hill Finalist (8th)
• D2football.com Elite 100 Squad
• Don Hansen All-America Honorable Mention
• D2CCA All-Super Region 4 Second Team
• NSIC Offensive Player of the Year
• All-NSIC North Division First Team
• Led the NSIC and ranked third and fourth in passing yards (3,864) and passing touchdowns (38)
• Eighth in Division II in points responsible for (230) and sixth in passing yards per game (297.2)
• Led the NSIC and was 12th in DII in passing efficiency (156.6)
• Threw for over 350 yards in four games and over 250 yards in 11 games

Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
DL - Ian Marshall, Northern State

• 2022 NSIC Newcomer and Defensive Player of the Year
• 2022 NSIC All-Conference first team
• AFCA, D2CCA, and Don Hansen All-American in 2022
• Finalist for the 2022 Cliff Harris Award
• Broke the Northern State single game school record with 4.0 sacks against Minot
• Racked up 24.5 tackles for a loss and 14.0 sacks, ranking in the top-10 all-time after just one season

Sixth? That's an outrage (Note, this outrage is purely manufactured). The WSU schedule is a gauntlet. Hoping for 8 wins this year.

[wscsuperfan]

This one surprises me a bit. When was the last time someone other than Mankato, Duluth or Augustana were picked first?

It was at least prior to 2010

[vikingfaithful]

Sixth? That's an outrage (Note, this outrage is purely manufactured). The WSU schedule is a gauntlet. Hoping for 8 wins this year.

If you look at all teams schedule it's a gauntlet. There is 8 teams capable of beating some highly ranked teams on any given Saturday. #9 SMSU may surprise someone as well. This is the most balanced and strong as the Northern Sun has ever been.

[USFIllini]

If you look at all teams schedule it's a gauntlet. There is 8 teams capable of beating some highly ranked teams on any given Saturday. #9 SMSU may surprise someone as well. This is the most balanced and strong as the Northern Sun has ever been.

Agreed, I think BSU and Kato are a hair better than the rest but 3-9 could beat anyone any Saturday

[IceBoxDragon]

I think this could be an exceptionally competitive year in the NSIC. The top seven in the rankings I think will all be able to put up good fights in games. I’m just hoping the Dragons can manage some upsets and finish higher than 10.

[MrMustang]

Looks like everyone is pretty certain on who the top 2 teams are and 3-6 is a jump ball. Personally, I agree with 1 & 2 but I'd have Augustana at 6 and slide Wayne, UMD, and Winona ahead of them. I still think we will see 3-4 NSIC teams in the playoffs this year.

Good assessment. I think there is consensus on the top 2 teams.

Then a gap on 3-6.

Then NSU & USF poised to jump or fall depending on some things.

I think Winona is too low. I might have them 3rd. right there with Wayne.

[MrMustang]

SMSU at 9 , Moorhead at 10 -- probably a huge game in Marshall, in October between those 2 to finish higher which is a measuring stick for both programs. Whoever can win that one and maybe snag an upset can move up...

If SMSU can beat either USF or Northern too, that would be a good sign and measuring stick

[SW_Mustang]

SMSU at 9 , Moorhead at 10 -- probably a huge game in Marshall, in October between those 2 to finish higher which is a measuring stick for both programs. Whoever can win that one and maybe snag an upset can move up...

If SMSU can beat either USF or Northern too, that would be a good sign and measuring stick

Seems like SMSU/MSUM matchups are always a good time. Definitely one to watch.

Would love to see us get the MSU or USF monkey off our back this year.

[vikingfaithful]

Looks like everyone is pretty certain on who the top 2 teams are and 3-6 is a jump ball. Personally, I agree with 1 & 2 but I'd have Augustana at 6 and slide Wayne, UMD, and Winona ahead of them. I still think we will see 3-4 NSIC teams in the playoffs this year.

One problem with your rearranging is Wayne is already at #3. In my opinion the Dogs should flip with the Warriors and be at #6.

[crixus]

Good assessment. I think there is consensus on the top 2 teams.

Then a gap on 3-6.

Then NSU & USF poised to jump or fall depending on some things.

I think Winona is too low. I might have them 3rd. right there with Wayne.

I saw on your school's athletics website that you have wheelchair basketball programs. Big Kudos to SMSU for that. 👊 I'll be rooting for ya' in all sports!