WACO, Texas – The Illinois State football team found itself back in the preseason national rankings Monday, as the Redbirds were selected at No. 20 in the first-ever AFCA FCS Coaches' Top 25 Poll. The AFCA begins administration of the FCS poll for the first time, which had been run by the Southern Conference.
The Redbirds had been previously ranked No. 21 in the STATS FCS Preseason Top 25 announced last week.
The Redbirds are looking to get back to the top of the Missouri Valley Football Conference and into the playoffs, after snapping a three-year playoff streak last season after a 6-5 campaign.