Harding Football Ranked No. 7 in AFCA Preseason Coaches' Poll

WACO, Texas – Harding football enters the 2018 season ranked No. 7 in the American Football Coaches Association Preseason Division II Coaches' Poll.

Harding finished the 2017 season ranked No. 6 after compiling an 11-4 overall record and advancing to the NCAA Division II national semifinals.

Paul Simmons is in his second season as head coach, and his team will open Thursday, Aug. 30, at Henderson State in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. Harding's first home game is Saturday, Sept. 8, against Southern Arkansas, who received one vote in the poll.

Harding had 550 poll points. Ouachita Baptist, the only other ranked Great American Conference team, is 24th in the poll with 102 points.

Defending national champion Texas A&M-Commerce is the preseason No. 1, followed by West Florida, Minnesota State, and Indiana (PA). Fort Hays State and Northwest Missouri State are tied at No. 5.

Three teams that Harding defeated in the 2017 Division II playoffs are also in the poll – No. 13 Indianapolis, No. 15 Ashland and No. 8 Ferris State.

The 2018 poll marks the third time since Harding joined the NCAA in 1997 that the Bisons appeared in the AFCA preseason poll. Harding was ranked No. 21 to open the 2015 season and No. 15 to open the 2017 season.

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