Defending national champion Hutchinson will open the season as the unanimous No. 1 ranked team in the Bushnell/Golfweek NJCAA Division I Preseason Coaches Poll. The team received all five first-place votes in this division.
Meanwhile, in NJCAA Division II, South Mountain will open the season ranked No. 1 in the Bushnell/Golfweek Preseason Coaches Poll. The Cougars tallied three first-place votes which allowed the team to leap-frog defending national champion Parkland for the top spot in the opening fall poll.
Take a look at polls for both division below, along with the lists of teams receiving additional votes at the bottom.
NJCAA Division I
| Rank | University (First Place Votes) | Points | NJCAA Finish |
| 1 | Hutchinson (5) | 50 | Champion |
| 2 | Odessa | 43 | 2 |
| 3 | Midland | 42 | 3 |
| 4 | Western Texas | 25 | T-4 |
| 5 | Indian Hills | 23 | 7 |
| 6 | Garden City | 20 | T-4 |
| 7 | McLennan | 18 | 6 |
| 8 | Iowa Western | 13 | 8 |
| 9 | Ranger | 11 | T-9 |
| T-10 | Jefferson State | 8 | T-9 |
| T-10 | Dodge City | 8 | 18 |
Others Receiving Votes: Eastern Florida State, 6; New Mexico JC, 5; Central Alabama, 3
NJCAA Division II
| Rank | University (First Place Votes) | Points | NJCAA Finish |
| 1 | South Mountain (3) | 48 | 2 |
| 2 | Parkland | 45 | Champion |
| 3 | Kirkwood | 35 | 5 |
| 4 | Tyler JC | 27 | 6 |
| 5 | Iowa Central | 26 | 4 |
| 6 | Glendale | 24 | 3 |
| 7 | Meridian | 22 | 8 |
| 8 | Mississippi Gulf Coast | 16 | 12 |
| T-9 | Walters State | 13 | 10 |
| T-9 | Des Moines Area | 13 | 7 |
Others Receiving Votes: Mesa, 4; Southeast CC, 2