(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)The Missouri Southern football team has been picked to finish 10th by both the coaches and the media as the MIAA released its preseason football poll as part of Football Media Day today inside the Little Theatre at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City.
The Lions were picked to finish tenth in both polls, tying Northeastern State with 24 points in the coaches poll and earning 33 points in the media poll. The complete polls are listed below.
The Lions finished 2-9 in 2019 and picked up a thrilling 21-20 win in the only game the team played in the 2021 spring season.
Southern will be playing under new head coach Atiba Bradley. Bradley, a Southern alum, will be back in the Green and Gold to lead the Pride after previously serving as a student assistant and assistant coach.
The Lions return five starters on offense and four starters on defense. Brian Boyd Jr., Keandre Bledsoe, Mohamed Al-Ramahi, Labrente Davis and Michael Brown return to the offense for the Lions, while Colton Winder, Richard Jordan Jr., Malachi Broadnax and Jaylon Alexander return on defense. Jordan, Winder, Bledsoe and Boyd were all named All-MIAA selections in 2019 for the Lions.
The top three were the same in each poll with Northwest Missouri picked to win the league. The Bearcats were followed by Central Missouri and Fort Hays State in the coaches poll as both teams earned 105 points, while UCM and FHSU were separated by four points in the media poll. The complete polls are listed below.
Southern will open the 2021 season at Nebraska-Kearney on September 2. The Lions have their home opener on September 11, playing host to Northeastern State at 2 pm from Fred G. Hughes Stadium.
2021 MIAA Football Preseason Coaches Poll
Northwest Missouri (10) - 120 points
T-2. Central Missouri (1) - 105 points
T-2. Fort Hays State (1) - 105 points
4. Nebraska Kearney - 86 points
5. Missouri Western - 71 points
6. Washburn - 69 points
7. Pittsburg State - 66 points
8. Emporia State - 55 points
9. Central Oklahoma - 52 points
T-10. Missouri Southern - 24 points
T-10. Northeastern State - 24 points
12. Lincoln - 15 points
Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own team.
2021 MIAA Football Preseason Media Poll
1. Northwest Missouri (10) - 142 points
2. Central Missouri (1) - 124 points
3. Fort Hays State (1) - 120 points
4. Missouri Western - 99 points
5. Nebraska Kearney - 98 points
6. Pittsburg State - 91 points
7. Washburn - 70 points
8. Central Oklahoma - 62 points
9. Emporia State - 56 points
10. Missouri Southern - 33 points
11. Northeastern State - 25 points
12. Lincoln - 16 points
