Kats No. 2 In Athlon Preseason Poll
6/11/2016 12:38:00 PM | Football
Sam Houston stands No. 2 in the first NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) preseason poll of the summer released this week by Athlon Sports.
Five-time defending champion North Dakota State is Athlon's number one pick. The Bison are 71-5 since 2011 and return four of the five starters in their offensive line.
After reaching the FCS semifinals four of the past five years, Athlon says “All that's left for the Bearkats is a national title.”
Athlon Sports & Life continues “Playoff standout Jeremich Briscoe is the starting quarterback while running back Corey Avery dominates. Coach K. C. Keeler seeks stronger defense and All-America defensive end P. J. Hall will be happy to oblige.”
Top returning all-conference players for the Bearkats this year also include wide receiver Yedidiah Louis, offensive lineman Bridge Blount, defensive end Luis Carreno and kicker Luc Swimberghe.
With 56 victories since the 2011 season, Sam Houston leads all Texas NCAA Division I football teams in total wins in the past five years. Baylor and Houston rank second and third with 50 and 48 victories, respectively.
Northern Iowa, Richmond and last year's FCS runner-up Jacksonville State fill out the top five. Defending league champion McNeese is the only other Southland Conference squad in Athlon's preseason rankings. The Cowboys look to build another successful season with all-conference defensive tackle Isaiah Golden and running back Ryan Ross returnings.
The complete Athlon preseason FCS top 25:
|
Rank |
Team |
2015 W-L |
|
1. |
North Dakota State |
13-2 |
|
2. |
SAM HOUSTON |
11-4 |
|
3. |
Northern Iowa |
9-5 |
|
4. |
Richmond |
10-4 |
|
5. |
Jacksonville State |
13-2 |
|
6. |
Charleston Southern |
10-3 |
|
7. |
Chattanooga |
9-4 |
|
8. |
South Dakota State |
8-4 |
|
9. |
Coastal Carolina |
9-3 |
|
10. |
The Citadel |
9-4 |
|
11. |
Illinois State |
10-3 |
|
12. |
Eastern Washington |
6-5 |
|
13. |
William & Mary |
9-4 |
|
14. |
James Madison |
9-3 |
|
15. |
North Dakota |
7-4 |
|
16. |
Montana |
8-5 |
|
17. |
McNEESE |
10-1 |
|
18. |
Towson |
7-4 |
|
19. |
Western Illinois |
7-6 |
|
20. |
Villanova |
6-5 |
|
21. |
Portland State |
9-3 |
|
22. |
Youngstown State |
5-6 |
|
23. |
Colgate |
9-5 |
|
24. |
Northern Arizona |
7-4 |
|
25. |
Eastern Kentucky |
6-5 |
