Five-time defending MIAA champ Northwest Missouri State has been selected as preseason No. 1 in both the MIAA coaches poll and media poll, released Monday morning as part of MIAA Football Media Day in Kansas City, Mo. (see
The Bearcats received 78 points with seven first place votes in the coaches poll, and 333 points with 23 first-place votes in the media poll.
Washburn was picked preseason No. 2 in both polls with Central Missouri third and Missouri Western fourth in both.
Fort Hays State, under first year head coach Chris Brown, is picked ninth in both.
There is a new look to the MIAA this year with Nebraska-Omaha no longer a member and the Lincoln Blue Tigers re-entering.
Fort Hays State begins September 1st with a Thursday evening game against Emporia State.
Listen to coach Chris Brown at MIAA Football Media Day
Chris Brown
Listen to linebacker Alex Whitehill at MIAA Media Day
Alex Whitehill
Listen to wide receiver Anthony Smith at MIAA Media Day
Anthony Smith
2011 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Northwest Missouri (7) – 78 pts.
2. Washburn (3) – 71 pts.
3. Central Missouri – 65 pts.
4. Missouri Western – 58 pts.
5. Pittsburg State – 51 pts.
6. Missouri Southern – 34 pts.
7. Emporia State – 33 pts.
8. Truman – 32 pts.
9. Fort Hays State – 19 pts.
10. Lincoln – 9 pts.
2011 MIAA Preseason Media Poll
1. Northwest Missouri (23) – 333 pts.
2. Washburn (7) – 305 pts.
3. Central Missouri (5) – 281 pts.
4. Missouri Western – 252 pts.
5. Pittsburg State – 219 pts.
6. Emporia State – 159 pts.
7. Missouri Southern – 136 pts.
8. Truman – 112 pts.
9. Fort Hays State – 92 pts.
10. Lincoln – 36 pts.
() = Number of First Place Votes