DICKINSON,N.D. - The Dakota Athletic Conference football coaches are pointing to Minot State to capture the 2008 DAC championship.

Two-time defending champion Black Hills State University is second, followed by Jamestown and Dickinson State. The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology was selected to finish seventh in the eight-team conference in the preseason poll.

Minot received six first place votes and 48 points overall, while the Yellow Jackets got two first place votes and 43 points.

BHSU finished in a three-way tie for the top spot last season with Minot State and Jamestown, with all three schools posting a 6-1 mark in conference play.

Mines opens up its season at home against Haskell University on Aug. 30 while the Yellow Jackets open their season on the road against Southwest Minnesota State University on Sept. 6.