KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats have been selected as the favorite atop both of the MIAA preseason football coaches and media polls.

The 2022 season will be played with teams playing an 11-game conference schedule beginning Thursday, Sept. 1. To see a complete schedule for the 2022 MIAA football season, click here.
 
Coaches Poll
In the coaches poll, Northwest earned 119 points and recorded 10 first-place votes. Nebraska-Kearney came in second with 104 points and one first-place vote. Pittsburg State notched the third spot with 100 points and the other first-place vote.
 
2022 MIAA Football Preseason Coaches Poll
1) Northwest Missouri State – 119 Points [10 First-Place Votes]
2) Nebraska Kearney – 104 Points [1 First-Place Vote]
3) Pittsburg State – 100 Points [1 First-Place Vote]
4) Washburn – 98 Points
5) Fort Hays State – 76 Points
6) Emporia State – 63 Points
T7) Central Missouri – 58 Points
T7) Missouri Western – 58 Points
9) Central Oklahoma – 51 Points
10) Missouri Southern – 29 Points
11) Northeastern State – 22 Points
12) Lincoln – 12 Points
Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own team.
 
Media Poll
The Bearcats claimed the top spot with 296 points and 22 first-place votes. Nebraska-Kearney claimed second with 263 points and one first-place vote. Pittsburg State came in third with 237 points and a first-place vote. Washburn laid claim to the other first-place vote and notched 226 points for a fourth-place finish.
 
2022 MIAA Football Preseason Media Poll
1) Northwest Missouri State – 296 Points [22 First-Place Votes]
2) Nebraska Kearney – 263 Points [1 First-Place Vote]
3) Pittsburg State – 237 Points [1 First Place Vote]
4) Washburn – 226 Points [1 First-Place Vote]
5) Fort Hays State – 180 Points
6) Emporia State – 175 Points
7) Missouri Western – 156 Points
8) Central Oklahoma – 136 Points
9) Central Missouri – 108 Points
10) Missouri Southern – 95 Points
11) Northeastern State – 52 Points
12) Lincoln – 26 Points