WACO, TEX.– After claiming its first-ever NAIA national championship last season, Morningside (Iowa) will start the 2019 season ranked No. 1 in the inaugural AFCA NAIA Coaches’ Top 25 Poll. The AFCA, which administers Top 25 polls in Football Championship Subdivision, Division II and Division III, will begin promoting the NAIA Top 25 in 2019. The Mustangs went 15-0 in 2018, beating preseason-No. 2 Benedictine (Kan.), 35-28, in the national title game. Saint Francis (Ind.), Kansas Wesleyan and Saint Xavier (Ill.) round out the Top 5.
Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence.
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Morningside (Iowa) begins the defense of their title on August 31 as they host St. Francis (Ill.). No. 10 Reinhardt (Ga.) starts the 2019 season early as they host Webber International (Fla.) on August 24, just a short three weeks away. There is only one Top 25 matchup during the first week of action as No. 9 Dickinson State (N.D.) host No. 23 Rocky Mountain (Mont.) on Thursday, August 29.
2019 American Football Coaches Association NAIA Coaches’ Poll — Preseason
TEAM |
PTS. | PREV* |
| 1. Morningside (37) (15-0) | 366 | 1 |
| 2. Benedictine (KS) (4) (13-2) | 352 | 2 |
| 3. Saint Francis (IN) (1) (10-3) | 338 | 3 |
| 4. Kansas Wesleyan (13-1) | 307 | 4 |
| 5. Saint Xavier (IL) (9-4) | 300 | 7 |
| 6. Concordia (MI) (10-3) | 280 | 6 |
| 7. Marian (10-1) | 278 | 9 |
| 8. Baker (9-3) | 268 | 5 |
| 9. Dickinson State (9-3) | 230 | 8 |
| 10. Reinhardt (9-2) | 224 | 11 |
| 11. Northwestern (IA) (9-2) | 214 | 12t |
| 12. Grand View (8-3) | 185 | 15 |
| 13. Lindsey Wilson (7-3) | 182 | 18 |
| 14. Langston (9-2) | 171 | 14 |
| 15. College of Idaho (6-5) | 164 | 22 |
| 16. Bethel (TN) (10-1) | 161 | 10 |
| 17. Cumberlands (KY) (10-2) | 157 | 12t |
| 18. Evangel (9-2) | 136 | 17 |
| 19. Southeastern (7-3) | 88 | 21 |
| 20. Southern Oregon (6-4) | 82 | NR |
| 21. Georgetown (KY) (7-3) | 78 | 19 |
| 22. Ottawa (KS) (8-2) | 70 | 20 |
| 23. Rocky Mountain (8-4) | 66 | 16 |
| 24. Dordt (7-3) | 32 | 23 |
| 25. Montana Western (6-4) | 27 | NR |
*– Ranking in final NAIA Poll of 2018
Others Receiving Votes: Siena Heights, 25; Cumberland (TN), 22; William Penn, 20; Eastern Oregon, 18; Montana Tech, 9; Ottawa (AZ), 9; Arizona Christian, 6; Ave Maria, 5; Olivet Nazarene, 5; Avila, 1; Bethel (KS), 1; Campbellsville, 1; Dakota St., 1; Tabor, 1; Valley City St., 1.
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