The Northwest Missouri State football team is ranked #4 in the first AFCA (American Football Coaches Association) poll of the D-2 season.
The Bearcats had 575 points in the rankings, behind only the 698 of top-ranked West Florida, 673 from Minnesota State, and the 630 from third-place Ferris State (Michigan). West Florida picked up 26 first-place votes, with Minnesota State two, and Northwest Missouri State the remaining tally.
Central Missouri is ranked #13, with Indianapolis, the preseason favorite out of the Great Lakes Valley Conference, checking in at #14.
Northwest’s opening night opponent, Fort Hays State, is the highest ranked team in the country not in the Top 25, receiving 90 points. Other schools of note in the receiving votes section of the poll are Truman State (15), Pittsburg State (8), Nebraska-Kearney (4), and Missouri Western (1).
