KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The Pittsburg State University football team was tabbed fourth in both the 2017 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Coaches and Media Polls released Tuesday (Aug. 1) at the conference kickoff press event at Children's Mercy Park.
 
The Gorillas, who tied for fourth place in the MIAA standings with a 7-4 record in 2016, received 88 total points in the MIAA Coaches Poll to fourth. Two-time defending NCAA Division II and MIAA champion Northwest Missouri received nine first place votes and 118 points to earn the preseason No. 1 ranking.

Emporia State received two first place votes and 108 points to rank No. 2 in the coaches poll, followed by Central Missouri with one first place vote and 106 points. Fort Hays State was fifth with 83 points.
 
In the media poll, the Gorillas received 347 points to place fourth behind the Bearcats, who garnered 36 first-place votes and 464 points, ESU (three first-place votes, 421 points) and UCM (383 points). FHSU was fifth with 316 points.
 
Pitt State returns 18 players (10 offense, 8 defense) who started four or more games during the 2016 season, including 10 returning All-MIAA performers and three returning All-Americas.
 
2017 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Northwest Missouri (9)            118
2. Emporia State (2)                 108
3. Central Missouri (1)              106
4. Pittsburg State                    88
5. Fort Hays State                    83
6. Washburn                           71
7. Missouri Western                   58
8. Central Oklahoma                   51
9. Lindenwood                         37
10. Northeastern State                31
11. Missouri Southern                 24
12. Nebraska-Kearney                  17
 
2017 MIAA Preseason Media Poll
1. Northwest Missouri (36)           464
2. Emporia State (3)                 421
3. Central Missouri                  383
4. Pittsburg State                   347
5. Fort Hays State                   316
6. Washburn                          262
7. Central Oklahoma                  227
8. Missouri Western                  215
9. Lindenwood                        145
10. Missouri Southern                108
11. Northeastern State               102
12. Nebraska-Kearney                  52