News Summary
The Ferris State Bulldogs are set to dominate the upcoming Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football season after their recent national title win. Ranked No. 1 in the preseason and coming off a 14-game winning streak, the Bulldogs face competition from Grand Valley State and Saginaw Valley State. Fans can expect a thrilling season with live streaming coverage and a highly competitive atmosphere as teams vie for supremacy in the conference.
Big Rapids, MI — The Ferris State Bulldogs are poised to dominate the 2025 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) football season, entering as the favorites to clinch the championship following their recent triumph in the NCAA Division II national title. The Bulldogs not only secured their third national championship in four years last season but did so with a commanding 49-14 victory over Valdosta State.
Under the leadership of head coach Tony Annese, Ferris State has consistently showcased its prowess on the field, beginning the preseason ranked No. 1 nationwide. Coming off a remarkable 14-game winning streak, the Bulldogs’ only blemish during the 2024 season was a 19-3 loss to Pittsburg State in their opener. After that, they dominated their opponents, outscoring the next four teams by a staggering 238-26.
However, the Bulldogs are not without competition in the conference. Key contenders this season include Grand Valley State (GVSU) and Saginaw Valley State (SVSU), both of which have their sights set on dethroning Ferris State. GVSU, recently ranked No. 3 in the American Football Coaches Association poll, and SVSU aim to capitalize on any opportunity to challenge the reigning champions.
As the season progresses, fans can anticipate watching the GLIAC football games streamed live on FloCollege. An exclusive offer from The Sporting News allows new subscribers to receive a 15% discount on an annual FloCollege subscription, adding a layer of accessibility for supporters keen on following their teams.
CHALLENGERS ON THE HORIZON
While Ferris State claims the top spot, GVSU and SVSU are not the only competitors in the mix. Last season, GVSU boasted a solid performance, finishing strong and ranking sixth in the D2Football.com Preseason Top 25. Davenport, with an overall record of 7-4 in 2024, aims to improve its standings alongside Michigan Tech, which also finished with a 7-4 record. Both teams are gearing up to challenge the traditional powers in the conference.
Saginaw Valley State started the 2024 season with promise, holding a 5-1 record before finishing at 7-4, indicating their potential to be a more formidable force in the upcoming season. Meanwhile, Wayne State has undergone significant changes with a complete coaching staff overhaul and the addition of 31 new players, aiming to turnaround their previous season’s performance where they finished at the bottom of the standings.
NEW AND IMPROVED
New to the GLIAC last season, Roosevelt managed to secure only one victory, which came against Northern Michigan, who have faced tough seasons, recording back-to-back records of 0-11. These teams will be looking to make strides in the 2025 season as they work to boost their performance.
SEASON SCHEDULE AND OUTLOOK
The 2025 GLIAC football season holds promise for an exciting rivalry with potential upsets and breakthroughs. The first round of the NCAA Division II Playoffs is set for November 22, with the championship game scheduled for December 20, 2025. As Ferris State enters with high expectations, the other teams’ preparations will be put to the test, ensuring that the season will deliver entertaining and competitive matchups across the conference.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- FloFootball: A Look at the GLIAC Ahead of the 2025 Football Season
- Big Rapids News: Ferris Volleyball All-American Recalls
- Mining Gazette: Huskies Soccer Tied for Sixth in GLIAC Coaches Poll
- Holland Sentinel: GVSU Women’s Basketball Beats Ferris State in GLIAC Title Game
- FloFootball: Ferris State Football Tops GLIAC 2025 Preseason Coaches Poll
- Wikipedia: Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
- Google Search: Ferris State Football
- Google Scholar: GLIAC
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Ferris State University
- Google News: GLIAC Football
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
