Idaho State’s football team is ranked No. 18 in the Athlon FCS Preseason Top 25, which was released this week.

The Bengals, who went 8-4 overall and 6-2 in the Big Sky Conference last year, wrapped up the 2014 season ranked 25th in the Sports Network FCS Top 25, the first time the Bengals were ranked to end a season since 2003.

Athlon’s poll is the second in the preseason to slot ISU in the top 25. Idaho State was wedged in at No. 13 by the Sporting News earlier this month.

In the Athlon rankings, ISU is just behind No. 17 Montana and No. 13 Montana State. Eastern Washington is the highest-ranked Big Sky team at No. 6. Cal Poly, at No. 24, is the fifth and final squad represented from the Big Sky.

North Dakota State tops the poll at No. 1, followed by Illinois State, Sam Houston State, Jacksonville State and Villanova at fifth.

Idaho State opens the season Sept. 5 at home versus Black Hills State and hosts Portland State Sept. 12 for its Big Sky opener. Season tickets are on sale at the ISU Ticket Office, by calling 208-282-FANS or logging onto isubengals.com.

ATHLON FCS PRESEASON TOP 25

1. North Dakota State

2. Illinois State

3. Sam Houston State

4. Jacksonville State

5. Villanova

6. Eastern Washington

7. Coastal Carolina

8. Chattanooga

9. New Hampshire

10. Youngstown State

11. Northern Iowa

12. Liberty

13. Montana State

14. James Madison

15. Eastern Illinois

16. McNeese State

17. Montana

18. Idaho State

19. South Dakota State

20. Richmond

21. Eastern Kentucky

22. Harvard

23. Western Carolina

24. Cal Poly

25. Indiana State