DAVIS, Calif. -- The defending Big Sky Conference-champion UC Davis football team checked in among the top five in two FCS preseason polls on Tuesday. HERO Sports listed the Aggies as its No. 3 team nationally, behind only James Madison and North Dakota State; while Athlon Sports have the program at No. 5.

This is the highest preseason ranking ever achieved by UC Davis since becoming a Division I program in 2007. In fact, HERO's No. 3 touting marks the highest FCS poll position of any kind for the Aggies, surpassing the No. 4 spot in the STATS FCS Top 25 back on November 5.

UC Davis comes off a season that boasted a 10-3 overall record, an NCAA quarterfinal appearance, the program's first Big Sky Conference title, and an Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year nod for Dan Hawkins . The Aggies return a total of 19 starters, including quarterback and 2018 Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year Jake Maier .

The 2019 season will kick off with a 3:30 p.m. contest at Cal on August 31. The first home game takes place two weeks later on September 14 against Lehigh. Fans who order season tickets by June 30 will receive a replica Big Sky championship ring.

ABOUT UC DAVIS: Providing a small-town community feel while providing a world-class academic experience, UC Davis is home to more than 37,000 students and centrally located between San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and the Napa Valley. The No. 5-ranked public university in the nation according to the Wall Street Journal, and among the top 10 public universities nationwide according to U.S. News and World Report, UC Davis offers nearly 100 graduate programs and more than 100 academic majors across four colleges and six professional schools, ranking among the world and nation's best in numerous disciplines, including veterinary science, agriculture, and plant and animal programs.