Football | 7/27/2026 9:31:00 AM

July 27, 2026 – The MIAA released their Preseason Football Coaches and Media Polls as part of MIAA Football Media Days being held in Topeka, Kansas on Monday. Emporia State is slated to finish sixth in both the coaches and media polls entering the 2026 season.

In the coaches poll, Pittsburg State was picked as the favorite, receiving seven first-place votes, with Northwest Missouri receiving the final three to be picked second. Central Oklahoma and Fort Hays State round out the top four with Central Missouri and Emporia State going five and six. Nebraska-Kearney, Washburn, Missouri Western and Missouri Western rounded out the selections.
 
In the media poll, Northwest Missouri earned 19 first-place votes to take the top spot and flip with Pittsburg State who earned ten first-place tallies. Central Oklahoma received the final first place vote and was picked third. Central Missouri and Fort Hays State went four and five, flipping from the coaches poll while the Hornets were picked sixth. The final four of Nebraska-Kearney, Washburn, Missouri Western and Missouri Southern remained the same.

The Hornets have averaged over seven wins a year over the past four seasons. They are set to return 13 starters from last season including All-American linebacker Landon Boss, First-Team All-MIAA receiver Malik O'Atis, Second-Team All-MIAA defensive back Tyler Schultze and Third-Team All-MIAA offensive lineman Trevion Mitchell. Reserved season tickets are on sale now at esuhornets.com while season passes for The MIAA Network will go on sale in August.



2026 MIAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON RANKINGS
COACHES POLL
1. Pittsburg State [7]
2. Northwest Missouri [3]
3. Central Oklahoma
4. Fort Hays State
5. Central Missouri
6. Emporia State
7. Nebraska Kearney
8. Washburn
9. Missouri Western
10. Missouri Southern
[#] - First Place Votes
 
MEDIA POLL
1. Northwest Missouri [19]
2. Pittsburg State [10]
3. Central Oklahoma [1]
4. Central Missouri 
5. Fort Hays State
6. Emporia State
7. Nebraska Kearney
8. Washburn
9. Missouri Western
10. Missouri Southern
[#] - First Place Votes