GVSU, Ferris State both listed in top 5 of preseason poll

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Similar to the Wolverines and the Buckeyes in the old Big Ten, experts expect the GLIAC to once again come down to two bitter rivals: the Bulldogs and the Lakers.

The American Football Coaches Association has issued its preseason poll for the 2024 season, listing Ferris State as the third-best team in Division II. Grand Valley State comes in next at No. 4.

No other Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference teams cracked the AFCA top 25, though Davenport was listed in the “Other Receiving Votes” category.

The Bulldogs and Lakers have dominated the conference over the last decade. No other program was won the conference since Saginaw Valley State claimed the title in 2013. Ferris State has won six GLIAC titles since then. GVSU has won three and is the two-time defending champion after claiming the championship in 2022 and 2023.

Defending national champion Harding University (Arkansas) took the top spot in the AFCA poll, followed by Central Missouri. Harding took 25 of the 27 first-place votes. Ferris State and GVSU each took one.

Ferris State is coming off of an 8-3 season and a 5-1 finish in the GLIAC. GVSU went 11-2 and won the GLIAC with a perfect 6-0 record. The Lakers beat FSU 49-28 in the annual Anchor-Bone Classic and beat the Bulldogs 21-14 in a rematch in the first round of the NCAA DII playoffs .

The Lakers squeaked past Pittsburg State before falling to eventual champion Harding 7-6 in the national semifinals.

Ferris State will open the season on the road at No. 6 Pittsburg State. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31. GVSU starts play on Sept. 5 with a Thursday night home opener against Central State University.

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