The 2018 Street & Smith’s College Football Yearbook has tabbed Northwest Missouri State at No. 9 in its preseason Division II top 25 poll.

The Bearcats are coming off the program’s 22nd NCAA Division II playoff appearance and will be in the second year under head coach Rich Wright.

Northwest ranked No. 1 in the country in total defense in 2017 – marking the fourth consecutive season that the Bearcats were tops in the nation in total defense. Northwest gave up only 212.8 yards per game (150.8 passing and 62.0 rushing). Northwest did not allow a rushing touchdown in the 2017 season – the only NCAA school (FBS, FCS, II, III) to do so.

Northwest will open the 2018 season Thurs., Aug. 30, at home against the Missouri Western Griffons at 7 p.m. at Bearcat Stadium.

Street and Smith’s Magazine Preseason DII Top 25 Poll
1. West Florida (11-4)
2. Indiana, Pa. (13-1)
3. Minnesota State (13-1)
4. Fort Hays State, Kan. (11-1)
5. Grand Valley State, Mich. (8-3)
6. Texas A&M Commerce (14-1)
7. Indianapolis (11-1)
8. Harding, Ark. (11-4)
9. Northwest Missouri State, 9-3
10. Midwestern State, Texas (10-1)
11. Central Washington (11-1)
12. Shepherd, W.V., 10-1
13. Ashland, Ohio, 11-2
14. Colorado State-Pueblo, 9-3
15. Sioux Falls, 9-3
16. West Georgia, 9-4
17. Assumption, 11-2
18. Central Missouri, 9-3
19. Ferris State, Mich., 11-2
20. West Alabama, 10-3
21. Findlay, Ohio, 10-3
22. Carson-Newman, Tenn., 8-3
23. Virginia State, 10-1
24. Edinboro, Pa., 7-4
25. Colorado School of Mines, 7-4

— Northwest Athletics —