The Missouri Western football team was tabbed third in both the MIAA preseason Coaches and Media Poll which were announced Monday at the annual football luncheon at the Kansas City Marriot Hotel.

Missouri Western received 165 points and one first place vote in the coaches poll trailing defending national champion Pittsburg State with 192 and 12 first place votes and Northwest Missouri with 184 and two first place votes.

In the media poll, the Griffons were also third receiving 456 points and one first place vote. Pittsburg State received 538 points and 24 first place votes while Northwest Missouri State received 11 first place votes and 524 points from the media members and league SID’s.

The fourth thru eight spots were the same in both polls with Washburn being fourth, Central Missouri fifth, newcomer Nebraska-Kearney sixth, Emporia State seventh and MIAA rookie Lindenwood eighth.

The #9 slot is where the polls show their first discrepancy as conference rookie Northeastern State, earned the spot in the coaches minds while Fort Hays State got the nod from the media. 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 Fort Hays State comes in at #11, Central Oklahoma #12, Southwest Baptist #13, Truman State #14 and Lincoln rounding out the poll at #15.

The Griffons will report to camp on Wednesday, August 8 with their first outside workout on Thursday, August 9 at 8:00 pm. Western opens up the 2012 season at home against the University of Central Missouri on Thursday, August 30th at 6:00 pm in Spratt Stadium.

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 State 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 State 155
13. Southwest Baptist 150
14. Central Oklahoma 121
15. Lincoln 42

— MWSU Sports Information —