Preseason MVFC football poll picks SIU to finish 6th, Racers 9th

This week's preseason poll of Missouri Valley Conference Football picks SIU to finish sixth in the league this season, and Murray State at ninth place.

A voting panel of league coaches, school communications directors and media put South Dakota State on top as the preseason choice for the third time in the past four seasons.

National runnerup Illinois State was picked second, and Youngstown State is the third choice.  

Voting results were as follows:
South Dakota State (28) 312
Illinois State (3) 256
Youngstown State 235
North Dakota (2) 211
South Dakota (2) 196
Southern Illinois (1) 186
Northern Iowa         99
Indiana State          80
Murray State    45 

The Racers will open their season on Thurday, Aug. 27 when they host Eastern Illinois at Roy Stewart Stadium. The Salukis open the same day at West Florida.


(Photo: MSU Athletics)