Minnesota State University, Mankato was selected by the league coaches as the overall and south division preseason football favorite in the NSIC for 2018.

The Mavericks received all 15 first place votes (coaches cannot vote for their own team) and amassed 225 points, 28 points ahead of Winona State (197), which garnered the other first place vote.

Sioux Falls was a close third with 195 points while Minnesota Duluth was picked fourth overall with 194 points and was the unanimous choice in the north division.

Augustana was picked sixth overall, Northern State eighth, Wayne State ninth, and Southwest Minnesota State 12th.