NCAA Division II College Football: 2011 Preseason Coaches Poll Released

The American Football Coaches Association released their preseason top 25 poll for Division II, and defending national champions Minnesota-Duluth have the top spot, earning 28 first-place votes.

In fact, the top three finishers from 2010 remain unchanged for the first poll in 2011, as Delta State earned the No. 2 spot, even though they finished 2010 with an 11-4 record. Perennial power Northwest Missouri State took the No. 3 spot with one first-place vote, followed by Abilene Christian (TX) and Grand Valley State (MI) to round out the top five.

1. Minnesota-Duluth (28)

2. Delta State (MS)

3. Northwest Missouri State (1)

4. Abilene Christian (TX)

5. Grand Valley State (MI)

6. North Alabama

7. Texas A&M-Kingsville

8. Augustana (SD)

t9. Albany State (GA)

t9. Bloomsburg (PA

11. Shepherd (WV)

12. California (PA)

13. St. Cloud State (MN)

14. Wingate (NC)

15. Central Missouri

16. Nebraska-Kearney

17. Mercyhurst (PA)

18. Washburn (KS)

19. West Texas A&M

20. Valdosta State (GA)

21. Wayne State (MI)

22. Central Washington

23. Kutztown (PA)

24. Henderson State (AR)

t25. Shaw (NC)

t25. Hillsdale (MI)

Others Receiving Votes: Colorado School of Mines; Carson-Newman (TN); Missouri Western St; Tuskegee (AL); West Liberty (WV); Sioux Falls (SD); Colorado St.-Pueblo; Michigan Tech; New Haven (CT); Ashland (OH); Fort Valley St. (GA); Wayne St. (NE); Midwestern St. (TX); Morehouse (GA); Southern Connecticut St.; Tusculum (TN); Lenoir-Rhyne (NC); Lincoln (PA); Pittsburg St. (KS); West Alabama; Central Oklahoma; Winona St. (MN); Winston-Salem St. (NC); Ouachita Baptist (AR); St. Augustine’s (NC); Chadron St. (NE); Concordia-St. Paul (MN); Harding (AR); Merrimack (MA); Minnesota St.-Mankato.

The season gets underway with a slate of games on Thursday, September 1 with most teams opening the season on Saturday, September 3.