The JMU football team is ranked 5th in The Sports Network FCS preseason poll.
The Dukes return 16 starters from a team that made it to the second round of the playoffs last year and finished 2011 ranked #15.
Sam Houston State is ranked #1.
JMU kicks off the season September 1 hosting St. Francis at 6:00 p.m.
The Dukes are the highest ranked Colonial Athletic Association team in the poll, which features five CAA teams ranked in the top 15.
A national panel of sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries select the Top 25 each season.