ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – Returning a veteran squad with 20 of its 22 starters back in the gridiron, the Bethel University football team was ranked No. 13 in the D3football.com Preseason Top 25 poll.
 
Bethel is coming off an 8-3 season where it made its 10th NCAA Tournament appearance falling to No. 8th-ranked Central College in the opening round.
 
The Royals have now been ranked in 31 straight top 25 polls from D3Football.com that is voted on by a panel of 25 coaches, sports information directors and media members from across the country.
 
Steve Johnson's squad report to Arden Hills on August 10 to begin preseason camp. BU opens up its season on Sept. 3 hosting Pacific Lutheran at 1 p.m. inside Royal Stadium before traveling to Wisconsin-Platteville in week two. Following a week three bye, the Royals open up MIAC play hosting Saint John's, who was ranked fifth in the preseason poll.