Grand Valley State is predicted by conference coaches to win the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference this season.

The Lakers, who went 8-3 (7-2 GLIAC) last season and missed the postseason, collected six of the nine first-place votes and 61 points in a poll announced by the conference Tuesday.

MORE: GLIAC team look

Ferris State and Ashland aren't far behind.

Ferris State, which finished second in the GLIAC (11-2, 8-1) and reached the NCAA Division II regional finals in 2017, landed in second with 56 points and two first-place votes. Ashland garnered 54 points and the other first-place nod.

Ashland was slotted third last year as well, but the Eagles earned the outright 2017 GLIAC championship (11-2, 9-0).

The GLIAC is at nine teams this season following the departure of Tiffin, which went to the GMAC. With that, GLIAC clubs will face teams that belong to six other Division II conferences this season.

Most teams open practice Monday.

2018 GLIAC Football Preseason Poll Results

Format: Rank. Team - Total Votes (First Place Votes)

1. Grand Valley State - 61 (6)

2. Ferris State - 56 (2)

3. Ashland - 54 (1)

T4. Northwood - 35

T4. Saginaw Valley - 35

T4. Wayne State - 35

7. Northern Michigan - 20

8. Michigan Tech - 19

9. Davenport - 9