Two-time defending NCAA Division II National Champion Ferris State University was picked to finish first in the 2023 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Standings as the league unveiled its 2023 preseason coaches poll on Monday (July 31) in conjunction with its football media day event in Grand Rapids.
The Bulldogs received five of a possible seven first-place votes and totaled 34 points in being chosen as the favorite among the league's seven conference football institutions. The votes were made by the conference member head coaches, who could not vote for their own team.
Rival Grand Valley State, which was the league's 20212 champion before falling to FSU in the NCAA Division II Super Region Three Championship Game, earned one first-place vote and 31 points in finishing second. Meanwhile, Davenport also claimed a first-place mention and notched 27 points in placing third following a playoff season a year ago. The remaining teams in the standings included Saginaw Valley State in fourth (21), Michigan Tech in fifth (16), Wayne State in sixth (10) and Northern Michigan in seventh (8).
The media day activities were held at the Sheraton Grand Rapids Airport Hotel and included the release of the preseason coaches' poll, a live webstream, and various social media events.
Ferris State was represented by two-time National Coach of the Year Tony Annese along with two West Michigan senior standouts in defensive end Ian Hall (Wyoming/Grandville) and wide receiver Xaiver Wade (Holland/West Ottawa).
The Bulldogs enter the 2023 campaign as the two-time defending NCAA Division II National Champions and have been picked as the nation's preseason #1 team again by Lindy's Sports.
Last fall, the Bulldogs captured a second consecutive NCAA Division II National Championship, finishing with a 14-1 overall record. Over the past two seasons of action, the Bulldogs own a 28-1 overall record and FSU has reached the NCAA Division II Playoffs eight consecutive years and counting. Ferris State has also reached the NCAA Division II National Semifinals five times in the past six seasons of action and ranks as the country's winningest program over the past eight full seasons in D2 Football.
The Bulldogs will begin the season at home on Thursday, Aug. 31, against Mercyhurst at Top Taggart Field with kickoff set for 8 p.m. (ET) under the lights in Big Rapids.
Below is the complete GLIAC Preseason Coaches Poll:
1. Ferris State - 34 (5)
2. Grand Valley State - 31 (1)
3. Davenport- 27 (1)
4. Saginaw Valley State - 21
5. Michigan Tech - 16
6. Wayne State - 10
7. Northern Michigan - 8