WACO, Texas (Aug. 15, 2016) -- Coming off an 8-3 season a year ago, the Central Missouri Mules football team is ranked No. 20 in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Top 25 Preseason Poll released on Monday morning.
The Mules totaled 184 points in the poll to come in at No. 20. Defending National Champion Northwest Missouri State received 29 of 30 first place votes and 749 points to claim the top spot in the poll. West Georgia received the other first place nod and 676 points to come in second. They were followed by Grand Valley State, Shepherd and Colorado State-Pueblo in the top five.
Emporia State came in at No. 24 with Pittsburg State, the Mules' season-opening opponent, Fort Hays State and Central Oklahoma all receiving votes. There were nine teams from the Central Region (MIAA, Northern Sun, Great American Conferences) ranked in the top 25 with an additional seven receiving votes.
The Mules open the season on Thursday night, Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. at Pittsburg State. The home opener is set for Thursday, Sept. 8 against Fort Hays State. Both teams are receiving votes.
