TOPEKA, Kan. – University of Central Missouri Mules Football was voted fourth in the 2026 MIAA Preseason Media Poll and fifth in the 2026 MIAA Preseason Coaches' Poll released on Monday morning, July 27, at MIAA Football Media Day in Topeka, Kan.

In the coaches' poll, defending MIAA Co-Champion Pittsburg State was tabbed the preseason favorite with seven first-place votes, while Co-Champion Northwest Missouri State was second with the remaining three first-place votes. Central Oklahoma was third, followed by Fort Hays State in fourth, and the Mules in fifth, rounding out the top five.

In the media poll, Northwest Missouri was voted first with 19 first-place votes, followed by Pittsburg State in second with 10 first-place votes. Central Oklahoma was third with one first-place vote. The Mules and Fort Hays State wrapped up the top five in the media poll. 

The full polls are listed below.

Central Missouri returns 14 starters from last season's team. including 2025 All-MIAA selections Shawn Martinez (offensive lineman), Drew Kaufman (linebacker), and Malachi Howard (defensive back).  

UCM is slated to kick off its 2026 season with a road contest at CSU Pueblo on Thursday, Aug. 27, at 7 p.m. CT (6 p.m. MT) in Pueblo, Colo. The Mules' 2026 home and MIAA opener is scheduled for Thursday night, Sept. 3, at 7 p.m. against Missouri Western State University at Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field in Warrensburg. Season tickets for Mules Football are on sale now at UCMAthletics.com/tickets. 

2026 MIAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON RANKINGS
COACHES POLL
1. Pittsburg State [7]
2. Northwest Missouri [3]
3. Central Oklahoma
4. Fort Hays State
5. Central Missouri
6. Emporia State
7. Nebraska Kearney
8. Washburn
9. Missouri Western
10. Missouri Southern
[#] - First Place Votes

MEDIA POLL
1. Northwest Missouri [19]
2. Pittsburg State [10]
3. Central Oklahoma [1]
4. Central Missouri 
5. Fort Hays State
6. Emporia State
7. Nebraska Kearney
8. Washburn
9. Missouri Western
10. Missouri Southern
[#] - First Place Votes