Oskaloosa–William Penn enters 2016 as a legitimate contender for national success as the NAIA’s preseason top-25 rating was released Monday.

The Statesmen (7-4 in 2015, 3-2 North) popped up two spots from the summer ranking to #23 with 54 points.  The Heart of America Athletic Conference is also represented by #5 Baker (Kan.), #6 Grand View, and #15 Benedictine (Kan.), while MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) (tied for #32) and Missouri Valley (tied for #34) are in the receiving votes section.

Defending national champion Marian (Ind.) is a unanimous #1 with 314 points and all 14 first-place votes.  2015 runner-up Southern Oregon is second, while Morningside, Saint Francis (Ind.), and Baker round out the top five.

WPU steps out of the gate with a big one, hosting 34th-ranked Missouri Valley on August 27 in a Heart crossover game at 6 p.m.

NAIA Football Preseason Rating – August 9, 2016
(Number in parentheses is first-place votes)
1. Marian (Ind.) (14)
2. Southern Oregon
3. Morningside
4. Saint Francis (Ind.)
5. Baker (Kan.)
6. Grand View
7. Montana Tech
8. Tabor (Kan.)
9. Doane (Neb.)
10. Saint Xavier (Ill.)
11. Reinhardt (Ga.)
12. Lindsey Wilson (Ky.)
13. Kansas Wesleyan
14. St. Francis (Ill.)
15. Benedictine (Kan.)
16. Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.)
17. Campbellsville (Ky.)
18. Georgetown (Ky.)
19. Faulkner (Ala.)
20. Arizona Christian
21. Dickinson State (N.D.)
22. Carroll (Mont.)
23. William Penn
24. St. Ambrose
25. Montana Western

Others receiving votes: Eastern Oregon 24; Concordia (Neb.) 18; Southeastern (Fla.) 14; Webber International (Fla.) 11; Point (Ga.) 6; Robert Morris (Ill.) 5; Sterling (Kan.) 4; MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) 4; Ottawa (Kan.) 3; Missouri Valley 3.

Story provided by Wade Steinlage