Northwest Missouri State is coming off a D-II national title.
The Northwest Missouri State University football team was ranked first in the 2014 MIAA Preseason Media and Coaches polls. The polls consist of votes from the conference head coaches and media covering the MIAA. Head coaches are not able to vote for their own program.
Northwest received all 11 possible first place votes in the coaches poll and had 121 total points. Pittsburg State was second with 106 points followed by Central Missouri with 94. In the media poll, Northwest received 37 of the 39 possible first place votes and had 466 total points. Pittsburg State had one first place vote and had 422 total points. Emporia State had the remaining first place vote and was third with 353 points.
Northwest won the 2013 MIAA and NCAA Division II national championship, finishing the year 15-0. The Bearcats return 16 starters and 71 letter-winners from last year’s squad.
2014 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Northwest Missouri (11) 121
2. Pittsburg State (1) 106
3. Central Missouri 94
4. Emporia State 88
5. Missouri Western 82
6. Washburn 79
7. Missouri Southern 67
8. Fort Hays State 50
9. Lindenwood 39
10. Central Oklahoma 26
11. Nebraska-Kearney 23
12. Northeastern State 17
2014 MIAA Preseason Media Poll
1. Northwest Missouri (37) 466
2. Pittsburg State (1) 422
3. Emporia State (1) 353
4. Missouri Western 348
5. Washburn 306
6. Central Missouri 285
7. Missouri Southern 258
8. Fort Hays State 191
9. Lindenwood 142
10. Nebraska-Kearney 109
11. Central Oklahoma 96
12. Northeastern State 66
