July 23rd, 2024 12:30pm
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Mules were tabbed the season’s favorite by MIAA head coaches and media representatives in the 2024 football preseason polls.
MIAA Commissioner Mike Racy announced the results of both the 2024 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll and Media Poll in his opening statements at MIAA Media Day on Tuesday, July 23 in Kansas City.
Central Missouri claimed the top spot on both the 2024 preseason coaches poll and preseason media poll. The defending MIAA co-champions collected eight first-place votes from MIAA head coaches and totaled 20 first-place selections in the media poll. Central Missouri finished 11-2 overall and 9-1 in the MIAA last season. The Mules ended last season in a 35-34 loss to Harding in the second round of the NCAA Division II Playoffs – Harding went on to win the 2023 national championship.
Pittsburg State, the league’s other defending MIAA co-champion, was picked second in both polls with two first-place nods from MIAA coaches and six from media representatives.
Below are the full results of both the 2024 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll and the 2024 MIAA Preseason Media Poll.
The 2024 MIAA football season officially kicks off Thursday, August 29. With Lincoln University’s departure from the league and Northeastern State University competing as an independent, the MIAA will feature a 10-team conference schedule for the first time since 2011.
2024 MIAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Central Missouri [8] - 80 points
2. Pittsburg State [2] - 73 points
3. Northwest Missouri - 58 points
4. Emporia State - 56 points
5. Fort Hays State - 55 points
6. Missouri Western - 42 points
7. Central Oklahoma - 31 points
8. Missouri Southern - 24 points
9. Washburn - 16 points
10. Nebraska Kearney - 15 points