GOLDEN, Colo. - Colorado School of Mines football is #3 in D2football.com's preseason top-25 poll, their highest showing ever in that poll.

The Orediggers (12-2 in 2021) were also ranked #4 in the AFCA's preseason poll released last week. It marks Mines' highest-ever showing in any preseason poll, and ties their all-time best in any D2football.com poll after hitting #3 in Week 7 last year. 

The poll sets up a huge test in Week 1 as the #3 Orediggers visit #5 Grand Valley State, with #8 Angelo State awaiting in Week 2 at home. RMAC foe Western Colorado is #15 in the ranking, with defending national champion Ferris State at #1 followed by Valdosta State.

Mines was also ranked #3 by Lindy's and #4 by College Football America in those summer magazine preseason polls, as well as #1 in the RMAC coaches' poll released Aug. 15. 
 

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D2football.com Preseason Top 25
1. Ferris State
2. Valdosta State
3. Colorado School of Mines
4. Northwest Missouri State
5. Grand Valley State
6. Shepherd
7. West Florida
8. Angelo State
9. Harding
10. West Georgia
11. Notre Dame College
12. Bowie State
13. Nebraska-Kearney
14. Kutztown
15. Western Colorado
16. Bemidji State
17. Ouachita Baptist
18. New Haven
19. Newberry
20. Albany State
21. Augustana
22. Lenoir-Rhyne
23. California (PA)
24. Slippery Rock
25. Washburn