AFCA Top 25 Poll

WACO, Texas - Colorado School of Mines football will open the season at #5 in the American Football Coaches' Association top-25 poll, announced Monday.

The Orediggers received 564 total points to sit just two points back of #4 Grand Valley State, with defending national champion Harding topping the poll ahead of #2 Central Missouri and #3 Ferris State.

Mines was one of two RMAC schools in the ranking along with #15 Western Colorado; CSU Pueblo was included among others receiving votes. The Orediggers lead nine ranked teams from Super Region IV including their regional final opponent last year, #8 Central Washington, along with two teams they have faced in the playoffs over the past two seasons in #13 Minnesota State and #14 Augustana, plus #17 Minnesota-Duluth, #21 UT-Permian Basin, #24 Angelo State, and #25 Bemidji State. 

It marks the 63rd consecutive AFCA poll dating back to 2018 that has included Mines in the top 25, and the 15th consecutive top-five ranking. 

Mines went 14-1 and advanced to its second consecutive NCAA Division II championship game last fall, winning its fifth consecutive RMAC title and third straight NCAA regional crown under first-year head coach Pete Sterbick. The Orediggers opened preseason camp last Friday and make their season debut Sept. 5 at home against West Texas A&M.