KANSAS CITY – The NAIA released its preseason football poll on Monday afternoon, and the University of Pikeville is on the cusp of the Top 25.
 
The Bears will also face a brutal nonconference schedule, according to the coaches who make up the voting body.
 
UPike, which is coming off an AAC championship and the first-ever postseason win in school history, is the second team listed among those receiving votes in the poll with 65 points, and is only 18 ratings points outside the Top 25.
 
Meanwhile, Reinhardt (Ga.), is the only other conference team to be mentioned, garnering 20 points.
 
"While we were hoping to be inside the Top 25, we're pleased to be on the national radar as the season begins," said Corey Fipps, head football coach and director of athletics at UPike. "We're happy to represent the AAC in this poll and are excited to build on the success we had last season.
 
"We're ready to get the season started."
 
There will be no easing into the 2025 campaign, as the Bears open on Saturday at No. 9 Georgetown College and coming off a 9-3 season, also falling in the second round of the tournament. The Tigers are the reining Mid-South Conference champion.
 
A week thereafter, the Bears make a trip to Campbellsville University, which is ranked 20^th in the nation. These Tigers were 9-2 a year ago.
 
Sept. 20 will bring the home opener for the Bears as Cumberland (Tenn.) University will come to the W.C. Hambley Athletics Complex. The Phoenix were 7-3 in 2024 and picked up 15 ratings points in the preseason ratings.
 
The final nonconference opponent is Maryville (Tenn.) University, which is getting votes in the preseason ratings at www.d3football.com in the NCAA Div. III poll. The Scots were 9-2 on the season and posted a perfect 7-0 record in the USA South Conference.
 
Saturday's season opener at Toyota Stadium will kick off at 6 p.m.