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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753714364236.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy the MIAA" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy the MIAA</figcaption>
 </figure><div>The MIAA
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KANSAS CITY, Mo.&nbsp;&ndash; MIAA head football coaches selected defending MIAA Champion Central Oklahoma to finish at the top of the league&rsquo;s standings while media representatives tabbed Pittsburg State as the MIAA favorite in the 2025 season. MIAA coaches tabbed the Bronchos as their favorite to take home the 2025 crown with seven first-place votes in the coaches&rsquo; preseason poll. The Bronchos finished second in the media preseason poll despite collecting the most first-place selections with 18. The Gorillas tabbed the top spot in the media preseason poll and second in the MIAA coaches poll with three first-place votes. Fort Hays State claimed the No. 3 spot and Central Missouri finished fourth in both of the polls. Central Oklahoma won its first MIAA title in the 2024 season, posting a 9-1 record in league play. It was the first league championship since the Bronchos joined the MIAA in 2012. Central Oklahoma was one of two MIAA teams to advance to the 2024 NCAA Division II football playoffs. The Bronchos beat Ouachita Baptist 38-31 at home in overtime in the first round of the NCAA playoffs before falling to the eventual NCAA Division II national champion Ferris State on the road in the second round. Pittsburg State was the league&rsquo;s runner-up in the 2024 season with an MIAA record of 7-2 and 8-3 overall. The Gorillas also advanced to the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs, where they suffered a 48-3 loss to Harding. The Mules and Tigers both finished 6-3 against MIAA opponents last season. Fort Hays State went 8-3 overall while Central Missouri posted an overall record of 9-3 and was the only MIAA team to play in a postseason bowl game. The Mules defeated Texas Permian Basin 39-37 in double overtime to win the 2024 Heritage Bowl in Corsicana, Texas. The MIAA coaches and media preseason rankings are listed below. &nbsp; 2025 MIAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL 1. Central Oklahoma [7] &ndash; 78 points 2. Pittsburg State [3] &ndash; 75 points 3. Fort Hays State &ndash; 62 points 4. Central Missouri &ndash; 57 points 5. Emporia State &ndash; 50 points 6. Northwest Missouri &ndash; 41 points 7. Missouri Western &ndash; 29 points 8. Nebraska Kearney &ndash; 28 points 9. Washburn &ndash; 21 points 10. Missouri Southern &ndash; 9 points [#] - Number of First Place Votes &nbsp; 2025 MIAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON MEDIA POLL 1. Pittsburg State [13] &ndash; 310 points 2. Central Oklahoma [18] &ndash; 307 points 3. Fort Hays State [2] &ndash; 271 points 4. Central Missouri [1] &ndash; 239 points 5. Northwest Missouri &ndash; 215 points 6. Emporia State &ndash; 167 points 7. Nebraska Kearney &ndash; 120 points 8. Missouri Western &ndash; 107 points 9. Washburn &ndash; 88 points 10. Missouri Southern &ndash; 46 points [#] - Number of First Place Votes &nbsp; MIAA teams will have the opportunity to speak on the upcoming season during the 2025 MIAA Football Media Day on Monday, July 28th. All ten MIAA head coaches and two student-athletes from each team will participate in a 15-minute press conference, taking questions from media representatives in attendance. The MIAA welcomes two new head coaches in the 2025 season: Zach Watkins at Washburn and John McMenamin at Northwest Missouri. First-year head coach of the Ichabods, Zach Watkins, is a former All-American and MIAA Freshman of the Year. Watkins began his coaching career at Northwest Missouri and Fort Hays State before returning to his alma mater, where he&rsquo;s been a member of Washburn&rsquo;s coaching staff for 11 seasons. New Bearcat head coach John McMenamin also returned to his alma mater. Most recently the offensive co-coordinator/pass game coordinator/wide receivers coach at NCAA Division I Tulane University, McMenamin&rsquo;s first head coaching gig was at Wayne State in Nebraska from 2019-2021. McMenamin was a First Team All-MIAA quarterback in 2002 and set 27 Northwest and MIAA passing records during his time as a Bearcat. The 2025 NCAA Division II football season officially kicks off on Thursday, August 28. To view the week-by-week schedules for all ten MIAA teams, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://themiaa.com/calendar.aspx?path=football">theMIAA.com/football</a>.</div>

🏈 MIAA releases preseason polls