BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The UNC Pembroke football team, which captured its first NCAA Division II playoff victory on the way to a 10-2 record in 2016, has been ranked No. 9 by Lindy's Sports in its College Football National 2017 Preview.
 
The Braves, who finished the season with a program-best No. 13 in the final American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) top 25, turned in a program-best 10 wins and made their third trip to the NCAA postseason as well. The Black & Gold finished No. 13 in the final D2Football.com poll as well.

UNCP is the highest-ranked of seven NCAA Super Region 2 teams included in the ranking. North Greenville and Valdosta State occupy the Nos. 16 and 17 positions, respectively, while NCAA finalist North Alabama logged a top 20 ranking as well at No. 19. Newberry and Tuskegee are Nos. 21 and 22, respectively, while West Georgia checked into the No. 24 position.
 
It is the second time that the Black & Gold has been ranked in the Lindy's Sports preseason poll. UNCP was listed No. 14 in the publication prior to the 2010 campaign. The Braves checked in at No. 8 in the Sporting News preseason poll that season as well.
 
UNCP returns nine starters (5 offense, 4 defense) for the 2017 campaign which kicks off with a Thursday evening home contest against in-state nemesis Winston-Salem State on August 31 at Grace P. Johnson Stadium. Season tickets have already gone on sale and can be purchased by calling the UNCP ticket office at (910) 521-6361 or by visiting UNCPBraves.com/Tickets.
 

Lindy's Sports Division II Preseason Top 25
1	NW Missouri State
2	Ferris State
3	Grand Valley State
4	Emporia State
5	Indiana (Pa.)
6	Harding
7	California (Pa.)
8	Texas A&M-Commerce
9	UNC Pembroke
10	Sioux Falls (S.D.)
11	Minnesota-Duluth
12	LIU Post
13	Azusa Pacific
14	Colorado Mines
15	Shepherd
16	North Greenville
17	Valdosta State
18	Central Missouri
19	North Alabama
20	Ashland
21	Newberry
22	Tuskegee
23	Texas A&M Kingsville
24	West Georgia
25	Colorado Mesa