Colorado School of Mines football tabbed as RMAC preseason favorite | Colorado Sunshine

Where good news shines

Colorado School of Mines claimed the top spot in the 2024 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference football preseason coaches’ poll Wednesday.

The Orediggers led the way with seven first-place votes and 79 total points after a dominant 2023 campaign that saw the team return to the NCAA Division II championship game.

Western Colorado checked in at No. 2 with 74 points and three first-place votes. Colorado State University Pueblo was third with 66 points.

Colorado Mesa held fourth place in the preseason poll with 50 points, while Black Hills State fell closely behind in fifth with 49 points. South Dakota Mines garnered 42 points, placing them sixth overall.

Chadron State occupied seventh place with 39 points, followed by Adams State with 21 points. New Mexico Highlands (18 points) and Fort Lewis (12 points) closed out the poll.

("Colorado Sunshine" celebrates the good news in sports. Suggestions encouraged through sports editor Paul Klee at paul.klee@gazette.com.)