Football 7/25/2023 9:40:00 AM Chris Brannick

Central Oklahoma Picked Fifth In MIAA Football Polls

The Bronchos Begin The 2023 Season August 31 At Chad Richison Stadium Against Nebraska Kearney

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The MIAA announced Tuesday at football media day its preseason coaches' poll and media poll and Central Oklahoma was ranked fifth in both.

READ THE MIAA RELEASE HERE

Central Oklahoma posted a 6-5 record in 2022 and finished sixth in the league standings by the end of the year. The Bronchos begin the 2023 season August 31.

"We're just ready to get started," UCO head football coach Adam Dorrel said. "We thought we'd be ranked right in the middle because that's where we finished last year. We've got a lot of work to do and we're just ready to get camp started."

UCO was picked fifth in poll of 11 league head coaches and was tied with Nebraska Kearney. Defending champion Pittsburg State was picked first while Northwest Missouri, Emporia State and Washburn were also in front of UCO. The media poll had the same order.

Dorrel starts his second season with the Bronchos next month. He got UCO back above .500 for the first time since 2018 and now looks to do it again this fall.

UCO returns 43 lettermen from a year ago and also has 11 returners that sat out a redshirt season in 2022. Dorrel brought in 67 newcomers this offseason, with many reporting in January for spring football.

Central Oklahoma opens the new season August 31 at Chad Richison Stadium in Edmond against Nebraska Kearney. The Bronchos will play five home games this fall. UCO also hosts Missouri Western, Missouri Southern, Lincoln, and Washburn.

Here are the complete preseason polls from the MIAA.

2023 MIAA Football Preseason Coaches' Poll
(First-place votes in parentheses)
1. Pittsburg State (8), 98 points
2. Northwest Missouri (3), 93
3. Emporia State, 78
4. Washburn, 73
5. Central Oklahoma, 57
5. Nebraska Kearney, 57
7. Central Missouri, 44
8. Fort Hays State, 37
9. Missouri Western, 32
10. Missouri Southern, 26
11. Northeastern State, 10

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

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