The Shepherd University football team is ranked 25th in the 2013 AFCA Division II Coaches’ Preseason Poll for August 19. Defending national champion Valdosta State is the preseason favorite.

The Rams, coming off an 8-3 season in 2012, open the 2013 campaign on September 7 when they host seventh-ranked Shippensburg at noon at Ram Stadium for Ram Gridiron Cub Day/The Great Valley Classic.