BIG RAPIDS — The defending NCAA Division II national champion Ferris State football team will enter the 2025 season as the preseason No. 1 team in the country, according to Lindy’s Sports.
Per a June 20 news release, the Bulldogs topped the publication’s first Division II national rankings released this month in its annual college football preview.
Ferris State, which has won three of the last four national titles, leads a top five that includes Harding University (Arkansas), Slippery Rock University (Pennsylvania), University of West Florida and Colorado State University–Pueblo.
Ferris State defeated both Harding and Slippery Rock during last year’s playoff run on its way to capturing the 2024 national title.
The next five in the preseason rankings are Grand Valley State, Western Colorado, Kutztown (Pennsylvania), Bemidji State (Minnesota), and Minnesota State.
The Bulldogs will kick off their 116th season of varsity football on Thursday, Aug. 28, when they host Pittsburg State (Kansas) in a Division II national showdown at Top Taggart Field. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
Ferris State is aiming for an 11th straight NCAA Division II Playoff appearance, the longest active streak in the nation. Under head coach Tony Annese, who took over in 2012, the program has posted a 137-21 record — the best among all collegiate programs in Michigan during that span — for a .867 winning percentage.
Over the last four seasons, the Bulldogs have gone 50-5, appearing in six national semifinals and four championship games since 2016. They hold a 77-7 record over their past five seasons on the field.
Season tickets are on sale now at FerrisStateBulldogs.com/Tickets.