Football 7/23/2024 9:30:00 AM Chris Brannick

Bronchos Picked Seventh In MIAA Preseason Polls

Central Oklahoma Kicks Off 2024 Season Sept. 7 vs. Langston At Chad Richison Stadium

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Central Oklahoma was picked seventh in both the MIAA Preseason Coaches' and Media polls, announced Tuesday at the league's media day.

Central Missouri, which received 8 of 10 first-place votes in the coaches' poll, topped the list. Pittsburg State received the other two first-place votes and landed second in the poll. The two schools tied for the league title in 2023. Northwest Missouri, Emporia State, Fort Hays State, and Missouri Western are third through sixth respectively in front of UCO. The top five teams in the preseason coaches' poll will all visit the Bronchos at Chad Richison Stadium in Edmond this fall.

"We finished seventh last season so it's no surprise that's where we are going into this season," UCO head football coach Adam Dorrel said. "This year is going to be tough because the league keeps getting better.

"We feel good about where we are heading into camp in two weeks," Dorrel continued. "We have 60 guys back and a lot of starters on both sides of the ball. We're trying to build off that. And we think we've added a really good mix of newcomers that can help us right away this fall."

The Media Poll had just one change from the Coaches' Poll, with Emporia State and Missouri Western swapping the fourth and sixth spots. UCM collected 20 of 26 first-place votes and Pitt State received the other six.

Central Oklahoma posted a 5-6 record in 2023. The Bronchos return 60 lettermen from last year's squad, including 15 that started at least five games a year ago.

UCO opens the 2024 season Sept. 7 at home against Langston in a non-conference clash between old rivals that haven't met since 1999. Central Oklahoma hosts Central Missouri, Fort Hays State, Northwest Missouri, Pittsburg State, and Emporia State. The Bronchos make road trips to Nebraska Kearney, Missouri Western, Missouri Southern, Northeastern State, and Washburn.

2024 MIAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON COACHES' POLL
(First-place votes in parentheses)
1. Central Missouri (8), 80 points
2. Pittsburg State (2), 73
3. Northwest Missouri, 58
4. Emporia State, 56
5. Fort Hays State, 55
6. Missouri Western, 42
7. Central Oklahoma, 31
8. Missouri Southern, 24
9. Washburn, 16
10. Nebraska Kearney, 15

2024 MIAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON MEDIA POLL
(First-place votes in parentheses)
1. Central Missouri (20), 254 points
2. Pittsburg State (6), 231
3. Northwest Missouri, 199
4. Missouri Western, 158
5. Fort Hays State, 155
6. Emporia State, 145
7. Central Oklahoma, 94
8. Missouri Southern, 81
9. Washburn, 60
10. Nebraska Kearney, 53

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