Bearcats RB Kelvin Austin fights for the end zone in a game against Truman State. (courtesy Northwest Missouri State)
Northwest Missouri State, fresh off of their fourth Division II title in 2013, opens up 2014 as the preseason favorite to win the national championship. This is the third time since the AFCA Division II Coaches’ Poll started in 2000 that the Bearcats have begun the season ranked No. 1. Grand Valley State (Mich.) comes in at No. 2, followed by Minnesota-Duluth, Colorado State-Pueblo and North Alabama rounding out the Top 5.
1. Northwest Missouri St. (31) 15-0
2. Grand Valley St. (Mich.) 12-3
3. Minnesota-Duluth 11-2
4. Colorado St.-Pueblo 11-1
5. North Alabama 10-3
6. Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.) 13-2
7. Minnesota St.-Mankato 11-1
8. Henderson St. (Ark.) (1)
9. Pittsburg St. (Kan.)
10. West Chester (Pa.)
11. West Texas A&M 11-3
12. Shepherd (W.Va.) 11-1
13. Ohio Dominican 10-1
14. Winston-Salem St. (N.C.) 10-2
15. St. Cloud State (Minn.) 12-2
16. Carson-Newman (Tenn.) 10-3
17. Tarleton St. (Texas) 7-3
18. Indianapolis (Ind.) 10-2
19. Delta St. (Miss.) 7-3
20. Indiana (Pa.) 9-2
21. North Carolina-Pembroke 9-2
22t. Azusa Pacific (Calif.) 10-2
22t. Emporia St. (Kan.) 9-2
24. Bloomsburg (Pa.) 10-2
25. Tuskegee (Ala.) 8-3
Others Receiving Votes: Saginaw Valley St. (Mich.), 87; Central Missouri, 82; West Alabama, 67; Valdosta St. (Ga.), 59; American International (Mass.), 51; Ferris St. (Mich.), 41; California (Pa.), 38; Missouri Western St., 38
