COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (WCBI/NJCAA) -- East Mississippi Community College will kick off their 2012 title defense as the No. 1 team in the nation, according to the NJCAA Preseason Top 20 football poll released today. The defending national champions are followed by No. 2 Butler Community College (Kan.), No. 3 Arizona Western College, No. 4 Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and No. 5 Blinn College (Texas).

Fresh off their first national championship, the top-ranked East Mississippi Lions return sophomore running back Rodriguez Moore who ranked fourth in the nation last season in rushing with 1,303 yards. The Lions offense witnessed the departure of 2011 NJCAA Offensive Player of the Year Bo Wallace at quarterback, but landed two key transfers in Clemson running back Mike Bellamy and Ole Miss wide receiver Nick Brassell. The return of Lauren Jackson and Za'Darius Smith on the defensive line will be enhanced by the addition of Florida State transfer Darious Cummings. East Mississippi's defense also features an experienced secondary, boasting three returning starters.

Mississippi Gulf Coast also landed on the preseason Top 20 at No. 4. Another top Mississippi school, Hinds CC, was ranked in the top 10 at No. 6 while Northwest was ranked No. 11.

Here's the NJCAA Preseason Top 20:
1. East Mississippi Community College
2. Butler Community College (KS)
3. Arizona Western College
4. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
5. Blinn College (TX)
6. Hinds Community College (MS)
7. Trinity Valley Community College (TX)
8. Iowa Western Community College
9. Snow College (UT)
10. Hutchinson Community College (KS)
11. Northwest Mississippi Community College
12. Navarro College (TX)
13. Eastern Arizona College
14. Dean College (MA)
15. New Mexico Military Institute
16. Tyler Junior College (TX)
17. Coffeyville Community College (KS)
18. Iowa Central Community College
19. Rochester Community & Technical College (MN)
20. Nassau Community College (NY)

MACJC Predicted Finish
North
1. EMCC
2. Northwest
3. ICC
4. Northeast
5. Holmes
6. Coahoma
7. Mississippi Delta
South
1. Gulf Coast
2. Hinds
3. Jones County
4. Pearl River
5. Copiah-Lincoln
6. Southwest
7. East Central