The Missouri Valley Football Conference has five teams ranked in the HERO Sports Top 25 Preseason Poll.  The Southern Illinois Salukis ranked as the poll’s #22 team in the country, citing being snubbed from last year’s playoff field as being fuel for the Salukis to reach greater heights.

North Dakota State, which holds an FCS-record 37 game winning streak, was ranked the top team in the nation.  South Dakota State and Northern Iowa were ranked #2 and #3, respectively.

The Illinois State Redbirds clocked in at #12.

The SEMO Redhawks also received votes but not enough to enter the Top 25.

Photo from siusalukis.com