The Missouri Western State University football team was tabbed fourth in both the MIAA preseason coaches’ poll and media poll which were announced today, Monday, August 1, 2011 at the annual football luncheon at the Kansas City Marriot Hotel.

Western received 58 points in the coaches poll trailing Northwest Missouri with 78, Washburn with 71 and Central Missouri with 65.  The Bearcats received seven first place votes while the Ichabods of Washburn received three first place votes.

In the media poll, the Griffons were also fourth receiving 252 points. Northwest Missouri received 23 first place votes from the media members and league SID’s who voted in the poll. Western trailed Northwest Missouri receiving 333 points, Washburn 305 points with seven first place votes and Central Missouri with 281 points and five first place votes.

The first thru fifth spots in both polls were the same with Northwest Missouri State, Washburn, Central Missouri, Missouri Western and Pittsburg State being the top five teams respectively. The sixth and seventh sports were swapped by Missouri Southern and Emporia State in both polls. The Lions were sixth in the coaches’ and seventh in the media while the Hornets seventh in the coaches’ and sixth in the media. The eighth thru tenth spots in both polls were the same with Truman State, Fort Hays State and Lincoln rounding out the polls respectively.

The Griffons are coming off a season where they made their second NCAA Division II Playoff appearances finishing the season 8-4 overall and 6-3 in the MIAA. Western will report to camp on Wednesday, August 10 with their first outside workout on Thursday, August 11 with a time yet to be determined. Western will open up their 2011 season at home against Pittsburg State University on Thursday, September 1st at 6:00 pm from Spratt Stadium.

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.

— MWSU Sports Information —