Northwest football picked No. 2 in MIAA Preseason Coaches poll

TOPEKA, Kan. (KQTV) -- Coming off a co-MIAA championship in 2025, the Northwest Missouri State football team has been picked to finish second in the league in 2026 by the coaches.

On Monday, the league released the Preseason Coaches and Media polls.

The Bearcats were picked second by the coaches and received three first-place votes.

In John McMenamin's first season as the team's head coach, Northwest finished 9-3 in 2025 with a co-regular season conference title and NCAA playoff appearance.

Northwest will open the season on the road at Texas A&M University - Kingsville at 7 pm on Saturday, Aug. 29.

Here is the full MIAA Coaches Poll:

1. Pittsburg State
2. Northwest Missouri State
3. Central Oklahoma
4. Fort Hays State
5. Central Missouri
6. Emporia State
7. Nebraska - Kearney
8. Washburn
9. Missouri Western
10. Missouri Southern