MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State football team has been ranked third in the preseason edition of the D2Football.com Poll.

"We're blessed and super happy that the nation sees us as a top-three team," Maximus Sims said. "We haven't won a game yet so we have to go out there every week and show why deserve that ranking."

MSU, which was ranked seventh in the final D2Football.com Poll last season, finished its 2025 campaign with a 10-4 record as it advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament. The Mavericks picked up road wins at Findlay (37-14) and Indianapolis (35-27) in the NCAA Tournament, before their season came to an end at Ferris State (52-29).

Minnesota State is one of three NSIC teams ranked in the top-25 preseason poll. Augustana has been ranked 12th after finishing its 2025 season with a 9-2 record, which included a 45-21 loss at home to MSU last season. Minnesota Duluth has been ranked 20th in the poll. Last season, UMD posted a 10-2 record, including a 32-7 loss to Ashland in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs bested the Mavericks 17-14 in their week two meeting in Duluth last season.

Ferris State was ranked first in the poll and was followed by Harding which was ranked second. Ferris State defeated Harding 42-21 in the NCAA DII Championship game last season.

Minnesota State opens its 2026 campaign on Thursday, Aug. 27, as it travels to Grand Junction, Colo., to take on Colorado Mesa. Kickoff between the Mavericks is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. (CT) at Stocker Stadium.

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