Highly Underrated Sports DIII Preseason Top 10 2022-2023

1 Ferris St

Great Lakes IAC 

After holding sitting atop of their division for the previous 3 years, the defending national champs will look to defend their title. They have a familiar face who will be their signal caller on offense and has won games. With some impressive starters returning on their dominant defensive they are still deemed to be a force to be reckoned with.

2 Northwest Missouri

Mid America IAA 

Holding the conference title puts a target on your teams back. Savvy champs find ways, their have been multiple coaching changes throughout the conference. A team that know success and knows their identity has the opportunity for repeat success and that just what Bearcats are looking to do. 

3 Valdosta State 

Gulf South 

A team that has seen tremendous success will be led-by a new coach this year. He will have his Qb and a plethora of offensive weapons that helped get this team to the title game last season. If the defense can make good use of the incoming talent they have the opportunity to win their conference and make a run to get back to that title game once again. 

4 West Florida

Gulf South 

A young program that will finally get a true sense of what home field advantage feels like will look to show what they are made of. With a roster that shapes up to be one of the top in the country, this team could go from new guys to powerhouse. If they can withstand the strength of their conference 

5 West Georgia

Gulf South 

With a prolific Qb, this team is a very viable contender. If he can find chemistry with his not so seasoned supporting cast of skills players this team could make a jump in rank throughout the season. They will have a touch schedule facing two of the potential top 5 programs in the nation in conference play, but if they are able to use their home field advantage I have a good guess of where they finish at. 

6 Grand Valley State 

Great Lakes IAC 

With a significant number  of last years playoff team returning Grand Valley will look to regain a title they haven’t held in recent years. If they can regain control of their conference they shot at seeing another title game could be on the horizon.

7 Colorado Mines

Rocky Mtn A    

Proven Qb, outstanding running back and the nations top center return to highlight the talent returning to a team that shared the conference title a season ago. If the transition of staff is seamless, they have weapons ready to lead this team in defending their titles in pursuit of more.

8 Angelo State 

Lone Star 

A fast start, this will be the teams goal this year. Before losing in the playoffs they had a seven game win streak going. If they can channel what they found during that stretch, along with navigating the new make up of their conference they will look to take home a conference trophy and maybe more. 

9 Nebraska Kearney

Mid America IAA 

With a proven leader returning at the Qb position, the dual threat star will look to pass conference foes who find themselves also gracing the ranking and make a run for a conference title, in hopes of putting both skills to use in the playoffs. 

10 Pittsburg St

Mid America IAA 

A team who had a great season looking at their record, will need to be in playoff earlier rather than later. To improve on what was a very solid 8-3(losses came at the hands of playoff teams) they have to be post season sharp from the initial kickoff. 

11 Harding

Great American 

Defending conference champs Harding is looking to repeat that success this year. They will have some gaps to fill on their offense but they bolster a defense that was near the top in the nation in points allowed that will have a number of experienced players returning. If the defense can bring that same intensity, and the offense can find the right pieces they will definitely be a team to watch out for. 

12 Fort Hays St

Mid America IAA 

With 14 returning starters the tigers look to continue the type of hard nose football that saw them in so many close games last season. If the tigers can turn their fortunes and turn the hard fought loses (losing by a margin of 7-10 pts) into W’s, they are the type of team that could fight their way to the post season.

13 North Greenville

Gulf South 

3 preseason all conferences players 2 on the defense and one on special teams the battle of field position should always be in their favor. This seems like a small detail, but football is all about paying attention to detail. With a strong defense and special teams they look to make an already tough road tougher for any opponent that thinks they outmatch them. 

14 Washburn

Mid America IAA 

Washburn finished 2nd in the conference last season and had a success 9-3 season which saw them make it to the playoffs. They will look to build 

15 Delta State

Gulf South 

The pieces are there! Consistency needs to be a point of emphasis this season if this team wants its dream to come to fruition. 

16 Mississippi College

Gulf South 

With some notable young contributors returning the Choctaws will look to keep their impressive rushing attack alive while, hoping that they are able to improve on the air attack. They have a defensive anchor returning as well, they need it all to come together in order to carve out their mark in their very talented division. if they do the sky in the limit. 

17 Central Washington

Great Northwest 

Picked to finish near the top of their conference these new comers will look to shake up the Lone Star Conference. If they can finish on top and not just near it, they could have a chance to take home more than just a conference title this year.

18 Saginaw Valley

Great Lakes IAC 

A shot is all they need. A Roster built to compete they just need to prove it it they can make the most out of conference play with the experienced, talented players they have returning they could see the same success their conference opponent did a season ago. 

19 Michigan Tech

Great Lakes IAC 

With the strength of their conference, if they can withstand the tide and etch out wins against some of their big name opponents they could be a special team. 

20 Missouri Western

Mid America IAA 

With the slew of coaching changes amongst league opponents, the key is capitalizing on opportunities. The talent is there but can they take it home it all starts with conference play. 

21 Midwest Texas State 

Lone Star 

Ceded second in their conference, with 12 starters and over forty experienced players returning altogether, there should be no adjustment period. Sprinkle in some guys ready to breakout and showcase what they can do that’s a good combination that could lead to wins. 

22 Emporia State 

Mid America IAA 

Sometimes it’s better to be slept on. Everyone loves a good underdog story. Benefits no one see you coming, no target on your back and you hold control of your destiny. If they can get the wheels rolling they have the makings for a 

23 Central Oklahoma

Mid America IAA 

A coach with a winning pedigree will look to dethrone the current conference champs. If he can, his championship experience could be just what his team needs to go from underdog to contender. 

24 Central Missouri

Mid America IAA 

Like other teams in the conference the Mules will  be lead by a new coach one that’s very familiar to the conference though. Former head coach of Nebraska-Kearney has been tasked with taking a roster deemed to be very talented, based on last years preseason ranking, and transform them from underachievers to reaching their full potential. 

25 Lenoir-Rhyne

South Atlantic 

After making playoff appearances the last three years they will look to build on that success. With returning All American running back and a receiving corp that pretty much intact, offense should not be an issue. Facing two top 25 opponents including the hosting defending champs at home they could possibly dethrone defending conference champs and national champs on the road to playoffs.