Defending National Champion Pittsburg State will begin their defense of the crown as the number one team in both the MIAA Coaches and Media Preseason Polls. The Gorillas won the MIAA last season as they finished 8-1 in league play and 13-1 overall on the year.  PSU received 192 overall points and 12 first place votes in the coaches poll and got 538 points and 24 first place votes in this season’s media poll. They were followed closely in each poll by 2011 league runner-up Northwest Missouri who also advanced to the NCAA playoffs last season. Missouri Western, also an NCAA Division II Playoff team, claims the third spot in both polls and received a first place vote in each as they look to move up from last season’s 7-2 finish.

Central Missouri, who represented the MIAA in last season’s Kanza Bowl, holds the fifth spot in both the coaches and media poll.  New MIAA member Lindenwood makes their debut in the poll at #8, finishing just a few points behind the Hornets in both polls.  The #10 spot features Missouri Southern in the coaches poll while the Riverhawks of Northeastern State take the tenth spot in the media version.  In the Media poll Missouri Southern is #11, Truman #12, Southwest Baptist #13, Central Oklahoma is #14 while Lincoln comes in at #15. In the coaches poll Southwest Baptist #13, Truman #14 and Lincoln rounding out the poll at #15 this year.

The 2012 season will kick off on Thursday, August 30 as 13 MIAA teams get underway with the final two MIAA squads kicking off their season on Sept. 1 as the MIAA will feature 15 schools in football this season.

2012 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll

1. Pittsburg State (12) 192
2. Northwest Missouri (2) 184
3. Missouri Western (1) 165
4. Washburn 154
5. Central Missouri 153
6. Nebraska-Kearney 122
7. Emporia State 103
8. Lindenwood 95
9. Northeastern State 85
10. Missouri Southern 82
11. Fort Hays State 74
12. Central Oklahoma 54
13. Southwest Baptist 49
14. Truman 43
15. Lincoln 18

2012 MIAA Preseason Media Poll

1. Pittsburg State (24) 538
2. Northwest Missouri (11) 524
3. Missouri Western (1) 456
4. Washburn 447
5. Central Missouri 393
6. Nebraska-Kearney 390
7. Emporia State 286
8. Lindenwood 268
9. Fort Hays State 241
10. Northeastern State 233
11. Missouri Southern 194
12. Truman 155
13. Southwest Baptist 150
14. Central Oklahoma 121
15. Lincoln 42