STATS FCS Preseason Poll

HAMILTON – Colgate gets the 2019 football campaign started at No. 13 in the STATS FCS Preseason Poll.
 
The Raiders are coming off arguably their best season since the 2003 run to the national championship game. Colgate finished 10-2 overall and 6-0 in the Patriot League while leading the nation in scoring defense and total defense.
 
The Raiders opened last season unranked but rose all the way to No. 6 after nine consecutive victories, five of which were shutouts to tie an NCAA FCS record.
 
They went on to secure an opening round NCAA playoff bye and then a thrilling 23-20 home victory over James Madison. It was Colgate's first home NCAA playoff assignment since the Raiders hosted two during the legendary 2003 run.
 
Colgate settled at Nos. 7 and 8 in last year's final major national polls.
 
The Raiders kick off the 2019 season for all of college football when they host Villanova Aug. 24 on Crown Field at Andy Kerr Stadium. Kickoff is noon Eastern time, with the CBS Sports Network and 94 WKXZ-FM carrying all the action.

Do your one-eleven ... #Week2 #gogate pic.twitter.com/GTWc5oo6A2

— Colgate Football (@ColgateFB) August 5, 2019

2019 STATS FCS Preseason Top 25

1. North Dakota State (15-0), 3,971 points (142 first-place votes); Final 2018 Ranking: 1

2. James Madison (9-4), 3,635 (14); Final 2018 Ranking: 9

3. South Dakota State (10-3), 3,631 (1); Final 2018 Ranking: 3

4. Eastern Washington (12-3), 3,594 (3); Final 2018 Ranking: 2

5. UC Davis (10-3), 3,210; Final 2018 Ranking: 7

6. Jacksonville State (9-4), 3,004; Final 2018 Ranking: 10

7. Maine (10-4), 2,891; Final 2018 Ranking: 4

8. Weber State (10-3), 2,827; Final 2018 Ranking: 6

9. Wofford (10-3), 2,522; Final 2018 Ranking: 13

10. Kennesaw State (11-2), 2,361; Final 2018 Ranking: 5

11. Towson (7-5), 2,330; Final 2018 Ranking: 20

12. Nicholls (9-4), 2,156; Final 2018 Ranking: 14

13. COLGATE (10-2), 1,892; Final 2018 Ranking: 8

14. Montana State (8-5), 1,866; Final 2018 Ranking: 17

15. Illinois State (6-5), 1,432; Final 2018 Ranking: NR

16. Indiana State (7-4), 1,192; Final 2018 Ranking: NR

17. Southeast Missouri (9-4), 1,166; Final 2018 Ranking: 15

18. Northern Iowa (7-6), 1,136; Final 2018 Ranking: 23

19. Furman (6-4), 1,074; Final 2018 Ranking: NR

20. North Carolina A&T (10-2), 885; Final 2018 Ranking: 12

21. Elon (6-5), 870; Final 2018 Ranking: 19

22. Delaware (7-5), 798; Final 2018 Ranking: 24

23. Sam Houston State (6-5), 564; Final 2018 Ranking: NR

24. Princeton (10-0), 432; Final 2018 Ranking: 11

25. Montana (6-5), 413; Final 2018 Ranking: NR