WC Missouri News

The University of Central Missouri Mules Football team has been ranked fourth in both the 2025 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) Preseason Coaches' and Media Polls. The polls were released on July 28 during the MIAA Football Media Day held in Emporia, Kansas.

In the coaches' poll, Central Missouri received 57 points. In the media poll, the team earned 239 points and one first-place vote.

Central Oklahoma, last season's MIAA champion, was selected as the preseason favorite by coaches with 78 points and seven first-place votes. Pittsburg State led the media poll with 310 points and 13 first-place votes. In the coaches' poll, Pittsburg State followed closely behind Central Oklahoma with 75 points and three first-place votes. Central Oklahoma placed second in the media poll with 307 points and received 18 first-place votes.

Fort Hays State took third place in both polls, earning 62 points from coaches and collecting 271 points along with two first-place votes from media members. Central Missouri was positioned fourth in each ranking.

Emporia State finished fifth in the coaches' poll with 50 points, while Northwest Missouri State rounded out the top five in the media poll with 215 points.

Reflecting on last season, Central Missouri posted a record of nine wins and three losses overall. The team tied for third place in conference play at six wins and three losses. The Mules advanced to postseason competition for a second consecutive year, securing a double-overtime victory over Texas Permian Basin in the Heritage Bowl by a score of 39-37.

The upcoming season will begin for Central Missouri on August 28 with an away game against Delta State in Cleveland, Mississippi. The home opener is scheduled for September 11 against Colorado State-Pueblo at Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field in Warrensburg, Missouri.

Below are the full results of both preseason polls:

2025 MIAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL

1. Central Oklahoma [7] – 78 points

2. Pittsburg State [3] – 75 points

3. Fort Hays State – 62 points

4. Central Missouri – 57 points

5. Emporia State – 50 points

6. Northwest Missouri – 41 points

7. Missouri Western – 29 points

8. Nebraska Kearney – 28 points

9. Washburn – 21 points

10. Missouri Southern – 9 points

[#] - Number of First Place Votes

2025 MIAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON MEDIA POLL

1. Pittsburg State [13] – 310 points

2. Central Oklahoma [18] – 307 points

3. Fort Hays State [2] – 271 points

4. Central Missouri [1] – 239 points

5. Northwest Missouri – 215 points

6. Emporia State –167points

7.Nebraska Kearney–120points

8.Missouri Western–107points

9.Washburn–88points

10.Missouri Southern–46points

[#] - Number of First Place Votes

Central Missouri aims to build on its recent successes as it prepares for another competitive football season.