Here's a look at my preseason MIAA rankings. As I note in a separate blog, I don't think anybody, even mighty Northwest Missouri, will run the table in 2014 as the league moves to an all-inclusive schedule.

But I do think Northwest is good enough to stay at the top of the standings and share a conference crown. I'm putting Pittsburg State as my No. 2 and early pick to share the title, but I'm telling you right now I think any team 2-6 can land in any of those spots, and don't count out the 7-through-9 spots from moving into the top half of the conference.

RELATED --> In 2014, the MIAA football party is members only

1. Northwest Missouri - Somebody find me a reason not to put them here.
2. Pittsburg State - QB Anthony Abenoja and RB Jeff Seybold are 2 of the premier players in this league. And the Gorillas are itching to get Emporia and Central back on their schedules.
3. Emporia State - The value of QB Brent Wilson was illustrated when Duluth blew the Hornets out in last year's playoffs. He's back, and so is a lot of talent on an ESU team that will no longer have to answer to a soft schedule.

4. Washburn - There is no "3-headed-monster" (QB, RB, WR package) like the senior trio of QB Mitch Buhler, RB Vershon Moore and WR DuJuan Beard. Massive losses to the defensive side of the ball could prove this pick a tad lofty, but watch out for the 'Bods.
5.Central Missouri - Adding Emporia and Washburn to their schedule isn't fun, but it's hard to count out the Mules with a guy like QB Hayden Hawk running a Jim Svoboda offense.
6. Missouri Western - Remember. 2-6 is as good as a toss-up. The Griffons get a low start on the MIAA totem poll because it's going to be hard for HC Jerry Partridge to replace his son, 3-year starter Travis Partridge, under center. The elder Partridge said at MIAA media day he likely wouldn't announce a starting QB until the week of their first game against UCM. RB Raphael Spencer is among the MIAA's best returning players.

7. Missouri Southern - With wins over 2011 national champ Pitt and 2012 MIAA champ MoWest during their 2-year surge out of the conference basement, the addition of Emporia and Washburn to the Lions' schedule may not seem that daunting. Southern QB Jay McDowell may just run the option right into another upset or two this year.
8. Lindenwood - The other Lions ran into a treacherous sophomore slump in the MIAA, and haven't even played Northwest or Missouri Western yet. MIAA mediocrity isn't a terrible thing at the end of the day, and even with a potential star in Dillon Miller under center, it's about all I see Lindenwood achieving this year.
9. Fort Hays State - Reasons for optimism after last year's 6-5 finish? Sure. But Hays hasn't had a winning conference record since moving to the MIAA from the RMAC, and I'm not sure this is the year that changes.

10. Central Oklahoma - WR Marquez Clark is a playmaker worthy of putting the Bronchos "on top" of the conference cellar.
11. Nebraska Kearney - Remember when the Lopers were a dominant RMAC squad? A rough transition continues for UNK.
12. Norhteastern State - A new coach takes over a team struggling to make a name for themselves.

You'll notice the spacing of my rankings into four sub-sections. I'm calling them the top (1-3), the almost (4-6), the not-quites (7-9) and the basement (10-12.)

While it'll be fun to rank the teams this way all year, "the top" will be all that matters come November. We'll see anywhere from 1-3 MIAA teams in the playoffs this year, with 2 being a pretty solid prediction. The "almost" just isn't going to be good enough.

Sound off!!!

What do you think of my conference rankings? Which teams would you move up or down?

What other storylines are you following as the 2014 MIAA football season approaches?

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