GLIAC -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) dominated the top of the recently released 2025 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Preseason Poll, with league teams occupying two of the first 3 spots.

Ferris State, the reigning national champions and winners of three of the last four NCAA Division II titles, was ranked No. 1, earning 30 of 31 available first-place votes, followed closely by Grand Valley State at No. 3. 

Ferris State possesses a 50-5 record over the past four seasons and has made 10-consecutive NCAA Division II postseason appearances. The Bulldogs were selected to win the 2025 conference crown in the GLIAC preseason poll, receiving six of eight first-place votes

Grand Valley State posted an 11-2 overall record a year ago, advancing to the NCAA second round. The Lakers have won four national championships and have appeared in six title games in program history. The Lakers received one first-place vote in the GLIAC preseason poll and were voted to finish second.

Ferris State and Grand Valley will renew its rivalry on Oct. 25 in Big Rapids. 

Saginaw Valley State, which recorded its fourth-consecutive winning season in 2024, received 35 points in the AFCA vote. The Cardinals garnered one first-place vote and were selected third in the GLIAC poll, just three points behind Grand Valley State. 

Davenport, winners of 23 games over the last three seasons, earned 10 points in the AFCA poll. The Panthers were tabbed to finish fourth in the GLIAC in 2025. 

GLIAC football action gets underway on Thursday, Aug. 28 with four Week Zero games on the schedule -- Ferris State vs. Pittsburg State, Michigan Tech vs. Bemidji State, Northern Michigan vs. Minnesota State Moorhead and Saginaw Valley State vs. Northeastern State.