:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46330472/usa-today-8054936.0.jpg)
The Sporting News has released their 2015 Preseason FCS Poll and Andy Talley's Villanova Wildcats are ranked at the #4 spot leading 3 CAA teams in the rankings. Back-to-back-to-back-to-back national champions, North Dakota State Bison, start the season at the poll's pole position.
Must Reads
Also representing the Colonial Athletic Association is James Madison at #12 and New Hampshire at #18.
'Nova finished 11-3 (7-1 CAA) in 2014 and earned a 6-seed in the FCS Playoffs, losing to Sam Houston State in the Quarterfinals. The Wildcats ended the 2014 campaign ranked #7 in the polls.
Quarterback John Robertson, the reigning Walter Payton Award winner, and Don Cherry, 2014 Buck Buchanan Award runner-up, will anchor the squad.
2015 Sporting News FCS Preseason Poll
| Rank | School |
|---|---|
| 1 | North Dakota State |
| 2 | Sam Houston State |
| 3 | Illinois State |
| 4 | Villanova |
| 5 | Eastern Washington |
| 6 | Coastal Carolina |
| 7 | Jacksonville State |
| 8 | Chattanooga |
| 9 | Montana State |
| 10 | Youngstown State |
| 11 | Northern Iowa |
| 12 | James Madison |
| 13 | Idaho State |
| 14 | Eastern Kentucky |
| 15 | Montana |
| 16 | Liberty |
| 17 | Stephen F. Austin |
| 18 | New Hampshire |
| 19 | Indiana State |
| 20 | Alcorn State |
| 21 | Southeastern Louisiana |
| 22 | Northern Arizona |
| 23 | South Dakota State |
| 24 | Charleston Southern |
| 25 | Eastern Illinois |