AFCA Division II Preseason Coaches Poll (8/12)

[wscsuperfan]

https://www.afca.com/defending-natio...reseason-no-1/

Defending National Champion Harding Preseason No. 1
AFCA.com

Harding (Ark.) will begin the 2024 season at No. 1 in the AFCA Division II Coaches Poll, presented by Hudl. The Bison went undefeated in 2023 en route to the program’s first Division II national championship. They will start defense of that title on September 5 vs. Southern Nazarene (Okla.). Central Missouri, who lost to Harding in the second round of last year’s playoffs, has the No. 2 spot. This is the Mules highest ever ranking in the preseason AFCA poll.

Conference rivals Ferris State (Mich.) and Grand Valley State (Mich.) earned the third and fourth spots, respectively, with each receiving a first-place vote. The Bulldogs have one of two top 25 matchups in the opening weekend as they will travel to No. 6 Pittsburg State (Kan.) on August 31. Rounding out the top 5 is the runner-up from last season’s national championship game, the Colorado School of Mines. The Orediggers went 14-1 in 2023 and will look to start 2024 1-0 against West Texas A&M on September 5.

AFCA Preseason Coaches Top 25 (8/12)
1. Harding (25)
2. Central Missouri
3. Ferris State (1)
4. Grand Valley State (1)
5. Colorado School of Mines
6. Pittsburg State
7. Valdosta State
8. Central Washington
9. Lenoir-Rhyne
10. Kutztown
11. Slippery Rock
12. West Florida
13. Minnesota State-Mankato
14. Augustana
15. Western Colorado
16. Indianapolis
17. Minnesota-Duluth
18. Delta State
19. Ouachita Baptist
20. Virginia Union
21. Texas-Permian Basin
22. Northwest Missouri State
23. Charleston
24. Angelo State
25. Bemidji State

Others Receiving Votes
Benedict, Henderson State, Virginia State, Tiffin, Southern Arkansas, Ashland, Davenport, Wingate, Emporia State, Colorado State-Pueblo, Albany State, Findlay, Texas A&M-Kingsville, California (PA), Oklahoma Baptist, Shepherd, New Haven, Fort Hays State, Wayne State (NE), East Stroudsburg, Truman State, Fort Valley State, Indiana (PA)

[NSIC_Guy]

Four teams in the top 25 should make for a good year! Shout out beavs

[BulldogFan]

Interesting that they have Mankato as the highest ranked team in the NSIC and in the conference poll they are third.

[NWFanatic]

#13 Mavs will be highly favored in their home opener @#22 NW

[Barndog]

Hey NW. what time can I arrive on Thursday to start tailgating?? Looking forward to a fun game. Haven’t been there for a game. Just been there for a softball camp and football camp.

[laker]

#13 Mavs will be highly favored in their home opener @#22 NW

But will the Newman Center still be handing out free hotdogs before the game like the last time I was there?

[NWFanatic]

https://bearcatsports.com/sports/201...at%20zone.aspx

tailgate info: officially opens 3:30 pm. Buy a meal at the Pavilion west of the stadium in the park(and have an adult beverage). Serious tailgating is east and south of Hughes Bldg and across the street in the grass. Visitors tailgating is usually west of Fine Arts Bldg(SE of stadium). Drive safe-Thursday night home openers can be fun but be ready for any type of weather from scorching hot to heavy rain/thunder/lightning delays etc