KANSAS CITY, Kan. – The Missouri Western football team was picked eighth by the media and ninth by the coaches in the MIAA Preseason Polls released Tuesday during MIAA Football Media Day at Children’s Mercy Park.
The poll results came one year after Missouri Western tied for eighth in the MIAA standings with a 4-7 record.
Northwest Missouri topped both the coaches and media poll in the 2018 MIAA Football Preseason poll. The Bearcats received 14 first-place votes and 382 points in the media poll. NWMSU had four first-place votes and 103 points in the coaches poll.
Fort Hays State came in second in both polls after receiving five first-place votes but was edged out by a point in the coaches poll. In the media poll, the Tigers had 13 first-place votes and 375 points.
In third place, for both polls, was Central Missouri as it received eight first-place votes between the two polls. UCM had 349 points in the media poll and 96 points from the coaches. Pittsburg State came in fourth place for the two polls and earned one first-place vote from the media. PSU had 311 points from the media and 81 points from the coaches.
The coaches had a tie for the fifth spot between Emporia State and Central Oklahoma. The Hornets took the fifth slot in the media poll, followed by the Bronchos. Washburn claimed the seventh position in both polls. Lindenwood was tabbed ninth by the media and eighth from the coaches.
Nebraska Kearney was slotted 10th followed by Northeastern State at 11th in both polls. Missouri Southern rounded out each poll in the 12th spot.
The 49th season of Griffon football kicks off Thursday, Aug. 30 when Missouri Western travels to Northwest Missouri.
MIAA Coaches Poll (1st Place Votes) – Total Points
Northwest Missouri (4) – 103
Fort Hays State (5) – 102
Central Missouri (2) – 96
Pittsburg State – 81
Central Oklahoma – 67
Emporia State – 67
Washburn – 63
Lindenwood – 46
Missouri Western – 40
Nebraska Kearney – 30
Northeastern State – 19
Missouri Southern – 12
MIAA Media Poll
Northwest Missouri (14) – 382
Fort Hays State (13) – 375
Central Missouri (6) – 349
Pittsburg State (1) – 311
Emporia State – 243
Central Oklahoma – 229
Washburn – 223
Missouri Western – 171
Lindenwood – 160
Nebraska Kearney – 98
Northeastern State – 66
Missouri Southern – 45
— MWSU Athletics —