Grand Rapids Reporter

Ferris State University Bulldogs have been ranked as the fourth-best team in the nation in Lindy's Sports preseason national poll for 2024. This marks the ninth consecutive year Ferris State has been positioned among the top five teams by at least one source.

Lindy's Sports, a well-regarded authority in football, has released its annual college football preview magazine, which includes a list of the top 25 teams and a preseason All-America team. The magazine places defending national champion Harding at number one, followed by Central Missouri, Pittsburg State, Ferris State, and Valdosta State in the top five. Notably, four of these teams belong to Super Region Three.

Ferris State is joined by Grand Valley State from the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) in the preseason rankings. Super Region Three dominates with five teams in the top ten and nine within the top 25.

The publication recognized Bulldog junior offensive linemen Bryce George and Lawrence Hattar on its Preseason All-America First Team and Second Team respectively. Ferris State is set to feature in two of Lindy's "five biggest games of the year," including an opening match against Pittsburg State on August 31 and their traditional clash with Grand Valley State on October 26.

Entering their 115th season, Ferris State aims for a tenth straight NCAA Division II Playoffs appearance. The Bulldogs have reached national semifinals five times over seven seasons and secured back-to-back national titles in 2021 and 2022. With a record of 63-6 over recent seasons under coach Tony Annese since his tenure began in 2012, Ferris maintains an impressive overall record of 123-20 (.860).

Ferris will kick off their season against Pittsburg State on August 31 before hosting Lake Erie on September 7 at Top Taggart Field.