KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) announced its 2023 MIAA Football Preseason Polls during the MIAA Media Day presented by Seigfreid Bingham on Tuesday, July 25, at the Kauffman Foundation Conference Center in Kansas City, Mo.

Mules football was voted seventh in both the preseason coaches' poll and preseason media poll. UCM received 44 points in the coaches' poll and compiled 124 points in the media poll.

Defending MIAA champion Pittsburg State was voted as the preseason favorite in both polls, posting 98 points and eight first-place votes in the coaches' poll and 320 points and 22 first-place points in the media poll.

Northwest Missouri and Emporia State rounded out the top-three in both polls. 

Central Missouri is scheduled to open its 2023 season under second season head coach Josh Lamberson Thursday, Aug. 31, at Missouri Western in St. Joseph, Mo. 

2023 MIAA Football Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Pittsburg State (8) – 98 points
2. Northwest Missouri (3) – 93 points
3. Emporia State – 78 points
4. Washburn – 73 points
T5. Central Oklahoma – 57 points
T5. Nebraska Kearney – 57 points
7. Central Missouri – 44 points
8. Fort Hays State – 37 points
9. Missouri Western – 32 points
10. Missouri Southern – 26 points
11. Northeastern State – 10 points

2023 MIAA Football Preseason Media Poll
1. Pittsburg State (22) – 320 points
2. Northwest Missouri (7) – 302 points
3. Emporia State (1) – 258 points
4. Washburn – 209 points
5. Central Oklahoma – 208 points
6. Nebraska Kearney – 199 points
7. Central Missouri – 124 points
8. Missouri Southern – 116 points
9. Missouri Western – 113 points
10. Fort Hays State – 98 points
11. Northeastern State – 33 points

First place votes in parenthesis.