This weekend marks the opening round of DI-AA league action, with both the MAC Schools and Empire conferences getting underway. So here is our preseason DI-AA ranking. Since the PAC is an approved DI-AA conference, its teams are eligible for our ranking.

And just as DI-AA adds great teams like Cal, Utah and UCLA, they lose several competitive teams with the formation of DI-A leagues such as the Big Ten Schools and California conferences. Gone are back-to-back champion Davenport, 2011 runner-up UCSB and 2012 runner-up San Diego State.

Moving up this season are some highly successful DII teams, like 2012 DII National Champion Lindenwood, Santa Barbara City College and American International College. We expect them all to be competitive in DI-AA right away.

Our first ranking will be free, but subsequent rankings will be visible first to our premier readers and then to the masses a week later.

1. Cal
2. Utah
3. UCLA
4. Dartmouth
5. Navy
6. Lindenwood
7. Tennessee
8. Florida State
9. Arizona
10. Arizona State
11. Oregon State
12. Florida
13. LSU
14. Rutgers
15. Stony Brook
16. Northeastern
17. Maryland
18. St. Bonaventure
19. Central Florida
20. Bowling Green
21. Clemson
22. Santa Barbara CC
23. Iona
24. Chico State
25. AIC

Considered
Wheeling Jesuit
Cal State Long Beach
U. San Diego
Arkansas