Three-time defending Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) Champion Northwest Missouri State was selected as preseason No. 1 in both the MIAA coaches poll as well as the first-ever MIAA media poll, it was announced Monday afternoon at the MIAA Football Kickoff Press Conference at the Downtown Marriott in Kansas City.
 
The Bearcats received 80 points with eight of 10 first-place votes in the coaches poll and 464 points with 42 of 47 first-place votes in the media poll.
 
Pittsburg State was selected as number two in both polls, receiving 407 points and four first-place votes in the media poll as well as 71 points and two first-place votes in the coaches poll.
 
Central Missouri was tabbed preseason No. 3 in both polls, receiving 59 points in the coaches poll and 321 points with one first-place vote in the media poll.
 
The number four spot was the first difference in the two polls, as Washburn was picked in fourth position in the coaches poll while Nebraska-Omaha was selected No. 4 in the media poll. The Ichabods and Mavericks swapped places in each poll, as Washburn was No. 6 in the media poll while Omaha was sixth in the coaches poll.
 
Numbers five and seven through 10 were exactly the same in both polls. Missouri Western State was voted number five in both, while Missouri Southern State was seventh, Emporia State was eighth, Truman State was ninth and Fort Hayes State was 10th.
 
The 2009 MIAA Football season begins Thursday, Aug. 27, with five conference schools competing. MIAA league play begins Saturday, Sept. 12.
 
2009 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Northwest Missouri State (8) – 80 pts.
2. Pittsburg State (2) – 71 pts.
3. Central Missouri – 59 pts.
4. Washburn – 55 pts.
5. Missouri Western State – 50 pts.
6. Nebraska-Omaha – 49 pts.
7. Missouri Southern State – 31 pts.
8. Emporia State – 25 pts.
9. Truman State – 19 pts.
10. Fort Hays State – 11 pts.

2009 MIAA Preseason Media Poll
1. Northwest Missouri State (42) – 464 pts.
2. Pittsburg State (4) – 407 pts.
3. Central Missouri (1) – 321 pts.
4. Nebraska-Omaha – 315 pts.
5. Missouri Western State – 307 pts.
6. Washburn – 289 pts.
7. Missouri Southern State – 160 pts.
8. Emporia State – 139 pts.
9. Truman State – 100 pts.
10. Fort Hays State – 83 pts.