ST. LOUIS – UNI was picked second in the Missouri Valley Football Conference Preseason Team and six Panthers were named to the MVFC Preseason Team.
Defending FCS National Champion North Dakota State was picked as the favorite for the preseason poll with 101 total points. The Panthers were picked second with 92 points edging South Dakota State who was picked third with 91 points.
Illinois State was picked third, Southern Illinois was picked fifth, South Dakota was picked sixth and North Dakota seventh. Youngstown State, Missouri State and Western Illinois rounded out the remainder of the poll.