University of West Florida Athletics issued the following announcement on Aug. 16.
Two years off the program's first national title, the UWF football team will begin the 2021 season at No. 1 in the AFCA Division II Coaches' Top 25 Poll as announced on Monday.
As with most teams in Division II, the Argonauts are almost two years removed from their last football game. West Florida, who received 26 first-place votes, begins their title defense on September 2 against FCS-member McNeese. The runner-up in 2019, Minnesota State, sits at No. 2 and received two first-place votes. Ferris State (Mich.), Northwest Missouri State, who earned the final first-place vote, and Slippery Rock (Pa.) round out the Top 5.
Two teams on UWF's schedule are among the top 25, with Valdosta State tied for No. 6 and Texas A&M Commerce at No. 8. UWF hosts VSU the final week of the regular season and travels to Commerce in week three.
This marks UWF's highest preseason AFCA ranking after debuting at No. 2 in 2018.
Original source can be found here.