Northwest Missouri State, Missouri Western, and Truman State all received recognition to the College Football American Yearbook Division II preseason top 30 publication, announced this week.
The defending MIAA champion Bearcats out of Maryville, coming off a 12-2 season and quarterfinal appearance in the 2019 D-2 playoffs, check in at #9, looking to improve a season that for both schools would be outstanding, but at Northwest, one that fell short of expectations for a program with a D-2 high six national titles, all since 1998. Northwest Missouri State has won at least a share of six of the last seven MIAA titles.
Northwest’s fierce rival from St. Joseph, the Missouri Western Griffons, are ranked #24, coming off a 9-3 season and a win in the Live United Bowl for the second consecutive year.
Truman State, finding solid footing in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, is ranked #21.
Defending national champion West Florida is ranked #2, behind the team they beat 48-40 in last year’s championship tilt, Minnesota State. The three through five positions are owned by Valdosta State, Ferris State, and Slippery Rock.
The Mules of the University of Central Missouri (Warrensburg, MO) are ranked #13 and Lindenwood, located in the St. Louis metropolitan area, checking in at #27.