FOOTBALL: D2Football.Com Releases Top 25 Poll

LIBERTY, Mo. - Get ready because college football season begins this weekend across the nation at the NCAA Division II level.

One of the sure signs college football season is upon is us the release of the various national polls. Last week, D2Football.com released its top 25 media poll.

On the surface, there do not seem to be a whole lot of surprises with some of the usual suspects stacked at the top (No. 1 Grand Valley, No. 2 Northwest Missouri, No. 3 Delta State, No. 4 Minnesota-Duluth and No. 5 North Alabama are some of the familiar names to fans of NCAA Division II college football.

As far as the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference is concerned, the Lakers again begin as the No. 1 team in the nation. Also, representing the GLIAC, Ashland checks in at the No. 13 spot in the preseason.

Four other GLIAC teams are among others receiving votes: Michigan Tech, Saginaw Valley, Wayne State and Hillsdale.

2009 D2Football.com Top 25 Media Poll - Preseason

1. Grand Valley, 11-1
2. Northwest Missouri, 13-2
3. Delta State, 10-2
4. Minnesota-Duluth, 15-0
5. North Alabama, 12-2
6. Abilene Christian, 11-1
7. Pittsburg State, 11-2
8. Valdosta State, 9-3
9. California (Pa.), 12-2
10. Carson-Newman, 7-4
11. Bloomsburg, 11-2
12. West Texas A&M, 11-2
13. Ashland, 9-4
14. Central Washington, 10-2
15. Chadron State, 11-2
16. Tuskegee, 10-1
17. Minnesota State, 9-3
18. Tusculum, 9-4
19. Catawba, 6-4
20. West Chester, 9-4
21. Edinboro, 9-2
22. IUP, 8-2
23. Nebraska-Omaha, 7-4
24. Texas A&M-Kingsville, 7-4
25. Wayne State (Ne.), 9-3

Others Receiving Votes: Missouri Western, Central Missouri, Albany State, Nebraska-Kearney, Michigan Tech, Colorado Mines, Saginaw Valley, Washburn, Seton Hill, Central Oklahoma, Tarleton State, American International, Wayne State (MI), Mars Hill, Arkansas-Monticello, Hillsdale, Newberry, Midwestern State, Wingate, Southern Connecticut, UNC Pembroke, Mesa State, East Stroudsburg, Arkansas Tech, Glenville State

Also, check out the D2Football.com list of preseason All-Americans: http://www.d2football.com/allamericans/15/