Five-time defending MIAA Champion Northwest Missouri has been selected as preseason No. 1 in both the MIAA coaches poll and media poll, it was announced Monday at MIAA Football Media Day at the Downtown Marriott inKansas City.
The Bearcats received 78 points with seven of 10 first-place votes in the coaches poll, and 333 points with 23 first-place votes in the media poll to become the preseason pick to win the conference title.
Washburn was picked as preseason No. 2 in both polls, earning three first-place votes and 71 total points in the coaches poll while receiving seven first-place votes and totaling 305 points in the media poll.
Numbers three, four and five were also identical in both polls as Central Missouri, Missouri Western and Pittsburg State, respectfully, held down those spots.
The Mules had a total of 65 points in the coaches poll, while getting five first-place votes and 281 total points in the media poll to rank No. 3. The Griffons earned 58 points in the coaches poll and 252 points in the media poll to rank fourth, while the Gorillas received 51 points in thecoaches poll and 219 points in the media poll to stand as preseason No. 5.
Missouri Southern was voted No. 6 in the coaches poll with 34 points, while Emporia State holds the No. 6 spot in the media poll with 159 points. The Hornets were picked No. 7 in the coaches poll with 33 points, and the Lions were selected No. 7 in the media poll with 136 points.
Truman was selected as preseason No. 8 in both polls with 32 points in the coaches poll and 112 points in the media poll, Fort Hays State was picked No. 9 in both the coaches (19 points) and media (92 points) polls, and Lincoln is No. 10 in both polls, receiving nine points from the coaches and 36 points from the media.
The 2011 football season kicks off Thursday, Sept. 1, including four MIAA games in the opening week.
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.
