Northwest Missouri State University will open the 2011 football season ranked No. 3 as announced by the American Football Coaches Association preseason top 25 poll released Monday.

The Bearcats sit behind last year’s national champion, Minnesota-Duluth, and national runner-up, Delta State. The Bulldogs eliminated Northwest in the national semifinals a year ago, 17-13, and received 28 of 29 first-place votes while the Bearcats picked up the final tally.

Abilene Christian and Grand Valley State round out the top five, as each were their conference’s respective champion last season. North Alabama opens the season at No. 6 while Texas A&M-Kingsville is ranked No. 7 to start the season after falling to the Bearcats in the national quarterfinals.

Augustana (S.D.) opens the season at No. 8 and will begin its season with one of the first week’s biggest games, hosting top-ranked Minnesota-Duluth. Rounding out the top 10 is Albany State (Ga.) and Bloomsburg (Pa.), both checking in tied for ninth.

Central Missouri and Washburn also represent the MIAA in the top 25. The Mules open the season at No. 15 and Washburn is ranked No. 18. Future MIAA member Nebraska-Kearney sits just behind UCM at No. 16.

Missouri Western, Pittsburg State and future MIAA member Central Oklahoma also received votes in the AFCA preseason poll.

The Bearcats week two opponent, Sioux Falls, also received votes in the preseason poll, as the Cougars make the transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II this season.

Click here for the entire preseason Top 25.

— NWMSU Sports —