The Washburn Ichabods were ranked preseason No. 9 in the USA Today Preseason Division II poll which was released today as part of their College Football Preview Magazine. The Ichabods will open the 2010 season on Aug. 28 when they travel to face the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colo.

The Ichabods (8-3 in 2009), were one of four MIAA squads in the preseason poll joining defending national champion Northwest Missouri at No. 1, Missouri Western at No. 16 and Nebraska-Omaha at No. 21. The Ichabods will face No. 6-ranked Abilene Christian in their home opener on Sept. 4 in Yager Stadium.

The Ichabods return 20 starters overall with eight on both offense and defense and a combined 57 letterwinners from a team which went 6-3 in the MIAA in 2009 finishing the season ranked No. 25 in the AFCA Coaches Poll.

*USA Today Division II Preseason Top 25*

1. Northwest Missouri State

2. Grand Valley State

3. North Alabama

4. Minnesota Duluth

5. West Liberty

6. Abilene Christian

7. Central Washington

8. Cal (PA)

9. Washburn

10. Texas A&M-Kingsville

11. Nebraska-Kearney

12. West Alabama

13. West Texas A&M

14. Saginaw Valley State

15. Carson-Newman

16. Missouri Western

17. Midwestern State

18. East Stroudsburg

19. Tuskegee

20. North Carolina at Pembroke

21. Nebraska-Omaha

22. Bemidji State

23. West Chester

24. Delta State

25. Hillsdale