July 28th, 2025 8:00am
On Monday, the MIAA released its presason polls in advance of the media day activites set to take place on the campus of Emporia State University. The MIAA is one the few leagues that compiles a preseason media poll, along with the customary coaches poll. This year, coaches and media were not aligned in the preseason pick for conference champion. The coaches selected defending champ Central Oklahoma as the preseason target while the media poll favors Pittsburg State. In the coaches poll, UCO tallied 78 total points and seven first place votes. Pitt State was the only other program to receive first place votes with three and total point accumulation of 75.
The media poll has Pittsburg State in the top spot by total points. Howver, Central Oklahoma, who landed at number two, did receive more more first place votes. The Bronchos received 18 first place votes to Pitt State's 13. Fort Hays (2) and Central Missouri (1) also received first place votes in the media poll.
In both polls, Fort Hays State placed third followed by Central Missouri in fourth. Emporia State ranked fifth in the coaches poll, ahead of Northwest Missouri in sixth. Those positions were reversed in the media poll.
Fans and media will hear from coaches and student athletes as the day continues.
2025 MIAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Central Oklahoma [7] – 78 points
2. Pittsburg State [3] – 75 points
3. Fort Hays State – 62 points
4. Central Missouri – 57 points
5. Emporia State – 50 points
6. Northwest Missouri – 41 points
7. Missouri Western – 29 points
8. Nebraska Kearney – 28 points
9. Washburn – 21 points
10. Missouri Southern – 9 points
[#] - Number of First Place Votes
2025 MIAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON MEDIA POLL
1. Pittsburg State [13] – 310 points
2. Central Oklahoma [18] – 307 points
3. Fort Hays State [2] – 271 points
4. Central Missouri [1] – 239 points
5. Northwest Missouri – 215 points
6. Emporia State – 167 points
7. Nebraska Kearney – 120 points
8. Missouri Western – 107 points
9. Washburn – 88 points
10. Missouri Southern – 46 points
[#] - Number of First Place Votes