NCAA National Runner-up Minnesota State University, Mankato was selected by the league coaches as the overall and south division preseason favorite in the NSIC in 2015.
The Mavericks received 10 first place votes and amassed 218 points, nine ahead of Minnesota Duluth (209), who garnered two first place votes and was the coaches’ top choice in the north division.
Reigning Mineral Water Bowl Champion, Sioux Falls was picked third overall (206) and received four first place votes.
| Overall | Points | North Division | Points |
| 1. Minnesota State (10) | 218 | 1 Minnesota Duluth (7) | 49 |
| 2. Minnesota Duluth (2) | 209 | 2. Northern State | 40 |
| 3. Sioux Falls (4) | 206 | 3. St. Cloud State (1) | 39 |
| 4. Augustana | 169 | 4. Bemidji State | 26 |
| 5. St. Cloud State | 161 | 5. MSU Moorhead | 25 |
| 6. Winona State | 157 | 6. University of Mary | 22 |
| 7. Northern State | 133 | 7. Minot State University | 16 |
| 8. Concordia-St. Paul | 103 | 8. Minnesota Crookston | 7 |
| 9. Bemidji State | 101 | South Division | Points |
| 10. MSU Moorhead | 100 | 1. Minnesota State (5) | 47 |
| 11. Southwest Minnesota State | 85 | 2. Sioux Falls (3) | 45 |
| 12. University of Mary | 83 | 3. Augustana | 34 |
| 13. Upper Iowa | 74 | Winona State | 34 |
| Wayne State | 74 | 5. Concordia-St. Paul | 21 |
| 15. Minot State | 32 | 6. Southwest Minnesota State | 20 |
| 16. Minnesota Crookston | 15 | 7. Wayne State | 14 |
| first place votes in ( ) | 8. Upper Iowa | 9 |
