GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Reigning national champion Ferris State University is the preseason No. 1 team in NCAA Division II in both the D2football.com and AFCA polls. Rival Grand Valley State University is right behind at no. 3 in the AFCA and no. 6 in D2football.com.

Both teams have storied histories in NCAA Division II, winning national championships and playing each other in the postseason. Ferris State has won three of the last five national championships in 2021, 2022, and 2024. GVSU has earned national championships in 2002, 2003, 2005, and 2006. These two teams have played each other 26 times, with GVSU holding a 14-12 advantage, and last played in the 2024 regular season. They are not on either’s schedule this year, but have the potential to meet in the postseason.

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Ferris State starts the 2025 season in Week 0 on Thursday, August 28, hosting No. 10 Pittsburg State in a top-10 matchup. The game will be on FloSports at 6:00 p.m. in Big Rapids, Mich.

GVSU opens its season on Saturday, August 30, at 1:00 p.m., when it takes on Lincoln (Pa.) at Lubbers Stadium. The Lakers went 11-2 in 2024 and fell in the second round of the NCAA playoffs.