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(AP) -- Northern Iowa's football team is ranked No. 7 in a preseason poll of head coaches in the Football Championship Subdivision.

The Panthers are one of five Missouri Valley teams in the 25-team poll, led by defending national champion North Dakota State at No. 1.

Northern Iowa went 10-3 last season, winning a share of the league title and posting its sixth season of at least 10 victories since 2001.

The Panthers open the season on Sept. 1 when they face reigning Big Ten champion Wisconsin.

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