The Illinois State football team is ranked fourth in the preseason AFCA FCS Coaches Poll, mirroring their ranking in the Stats Perform FCS preseason Top 25. They are one of six teams from the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) in the poll, with three teams in the top five. After finishing as the national championship runner-up last year, they look to capitalize on the return of 42 letterwinners, including standout players like Tye Niekamp and Victor Dawson.

By the Numbers
  • Illinois State returns 42 letterwinners and nine starters from last season.
  • Victor Dawson rushed for 1,377 yards and averaged over 114 yards per game last year.
State of Play
  • Montana State leads the poll as the preseason No. 1, followed by Montana and South Dakota State.
  • The AFCA FCS Coaches Poll will have weekly updates during the regular season.
What's Next

The Redbirds aim to prove their ranking on the field as they prepare for the upcoming season, focusing on key matchups within the MVFC to solidify their playoff positioning.

Bottom Line

Illinois State's strong preseason ranking sets high expectations as they strive for a championship run, leveraging their experienced roster and standout athletes to aim for their first title since their last appearance in the national championship game.