The Blue Hawks, who extended the historic nine straight conference football title in 2023, went perfect 8-0 record in the NSAA Football conference action last season and finished 10-2 record overall (fell to Grand View, Iowa, in the second round of the NAIA Football Championships Series Playoffs). The Blue Hawks had not lost in the North Star conference play since late 2019 season, where had won 33 consecutive league contests.
Dickinson State tallied five first place votes and 25 points to claim the top spot in the preseason poll. Valley City State (N.D.) is second after collecting 19 points. Jamestown (N.D.), who returns to the NSAA conference this season since 2017-18, finished third after registering 15 points.
Mayville State (N.D.) edged Dakota State (S.D.) by one point (8-7) for fourth place in the coaches’ preseason poll.
To earn an automatic bid to the NAIA Football Championships Series (FCS), a team must win their conference regular-season title. At-large berths will be determined by the NAIA Football National Selection Committee. Teams earning an at-large berth must be ranked in the Top 25 of the final NAIA Coaches’ Top 25 poll.
The NAIA FCS playoffs kick off with the first round on Nov. 23, followed by second round action on Nov. 30. The quarterfinals are slated for Dec. 7 and semifinals on Dec. 14.
The NAIA FCS Championship game is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 21 at Durham County Memorial Stadium in Durham, N.C.
Each North Star football members will be playing a total of eight conference games during the season, playing home-and-away contests. The North Star football season opens on Sept. 7 with Dickinson State visiting Mayville State. Jamestown and Dakota State open their league action on Sept. 14, while Valley City State begins their conference play on Sept. 21 at home versus Dakota State.
The conference season ends on Nov. 16 with DaSU at DiSU and VCSU at UJ.
Below is the complete results of 2024 NSAA Football Coaches’ Preseason Poll:
| 2024 North Star Athletic Association Football Coaches’ Preseason Poll | ||
| Rank | School (First-Place Votes in parenthesis) | Points |
| 1 | Dickinson State (N.D.) (5) | 25 |
| 2 | Valley City State (N.D.) | 19 |
| 3 | Jamestown (N.D.) | 15 |
| 4 | Mayville State (N.D.) | 8 |
| 5 | Dakota State (S.D.) | 7 |