HERO Sports released its Preseason Top 25 on Wednesday, with defending Southern Conference champion ETSU checking in at No. 5 and Chattanooga landing No. 16. Mercer received votes in the poll.

ETSU release
Chattanooga release

HERO Sports Preseason FCS Top 25
1. North Dakota State
2. South Dakota State
3. Montana State
4. Montana
5. ETSU
6. Missouri State
7. Sam Houston
8. Kennesaw State
9. Villanova
10. Sacramento State
11. Stephen F. Austin
T12. UIW
T12. Southern Illinois
14. UT Martin
15. Delaware
16. Chattanooga
17. Holy Cross
18. Eastern Washington
19. Jackson State
20. Southeastern Louisiana
21. South Dakota
22. Harvard
23. Dartmouth
24. Northern Iowa
T25. Richmond
T25. UC Davis
 
Received votes (alphabetical order): Eastern Kentucky, Mercer, Weber State