WACO, Tex. – The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) revealed its Division II Preseason Top 25 poll on Tuesday morning, with Chadron State listed in the "receiving votes" category. 

The Eagles tallied 83 voting points in the poll, the second-most of any team in the category for teams that just missed the top 25. The ranking from the AFCA comes one day after the Eagles earned a No. 21 preseason ranking from the D2Football.com media poll. 

Once again, Chadron State is the third-ranked RMAC team on the national ballots. CSU Pueblo leads the way at No. 6, with Western Colorado not far behind at No. 11. Among the teams ranked further behind the Eagles in the "receiving votes" category are Colorado School of Mines (18) and Good Life Trophy rivals Nebraska-Kearney (4). The Eagles will face Nebraska-Kearney, Western Colorado, CSU Pueblo and Colorado School of Mines in four consecutive weeks from September 3-September 26, with three of the four matchups taking place at Elliott Field at Don Beebe Stadium.

As in the D2Football.com poll, Ferris State debuted at No. 1. The Bulldogs have won the past two and four of the past five Division II national championships. Harding is No. 2, followed by Kutztown, Pittsburg State, Minnesota State and CSU Pueblo.

Chadron State will open the 2026 season on the road against Northern State (Aberdeen, S.D.) on Thursday, August 27 at 5 p.m. MT (6 p.m. CT/local).