North Dakota State University is ranked second in the Sports Network's preseason FCS football poll.
The Bison trail first-place Sam Houston State, whom NDSU beat in last season's title game. Seventeen of the Bearkats' starters return, compared to NDSU's 13.
The Colonial Athletic Association had the most teams in the preseason top 25 with six, followed by NDSU's Missouri Valley Conference with five.
The Sports Network poll is composed of a national panel of sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters and writers.
- Daily News Staff