Eastern Washington University football is ranked No. 18 in the 2022 HERO Sports Preseason Top 25 released Wednesday (May 18).
 
The Big Sky Conference had five teams recognized in the preseason poll, including three in the top ten and one team receiving votes. Montana State and Montana lead the way, ranked third and fourth, respectively. Sacramento State was picked No. 10, followed by Eastern Washington. UC Davis rounds things out, being ranked tied for 25^th, and Weber State received votes.
 
The Eagles will face off against Montana State and Sacramento State at home at Roos Field and will play at Weber State and Montana in 2022, but won't matchup with UC Davis.
 
North Dakota State was picked first, followed by South Dakota State ranked No. 2. East Tennessee State rounds out the top-five at the fifth spot. The Big Sky had the second-most amount of selections, following the Missouri Valley Football Conference who had six.
 
Eastern Washington finished 10-3 overall in 2021 with a 6-2 mark in Big Sky Conference play, earning its 15^th trip to the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision playoffs where it lost in the second round to Montana.
 
The Eagles ended the season ranked No. 7 in the Stats Perform final poll and No. 9 in the AFCA, marking the 17^th time EWU has finished the season nationally ranked, including 13 times since 2004. The other seasons were in 1985, 1992, 1993, 1997, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2020-21. Seven times the Eagles have finished in the top four – fourth in 1997, 2012, 2014 and 2016; third in 2013; second in 2018; and first in 2010 after winning the NCAA Division I title.
 
The Eagles open 2022 on Sept. 3 at home against Tennessee State. The complete schedule can be found HERE, and season ticket renewals for current season ticketholders are underway until June 20. Season tickets will open to the general public on Monday, June 27. Click HERE for details.
 
2022 HERO Sports FCS Preseason Top 25
 
T25. UC Davis
T25. Richmond
24. Northern Iowa
23. Dartmouth
22. Harvard
21. South Dakota
20. Southeastern Louisiana University
19. Jackson State
18. Eastern Washington
17. Holy Cross
16. Chattanooga
15. Delaware
14. UT Martin
T12. Southern Illinois
T12. Incarnate Word
11. Stephen F. Austin
10. Sacramento State
9. Villanova
8. Kennesaw State
7. Sam Houston
6. Missouri State
5. East Tennessee State
4. Montana
3. Montana State
2. South Dakota State
1. North Dakota State
 
Received votes (alphabetical order): Eastern Kentucky, Mercer, Weber State