Indiana Wesleyan picked to three-peat in Mideast Preseason Poll
In a new-look Mideast League for 2024, two-time defending champions Indiana Wesleyan are picked to claim a third straight title, as the 2024 MSFA Mideast League Preseason Coaches’ Poll was released on Thursday.
The Wildcats finished 10-2 a year ago, reaching the quarterfinals of the NAIA Football Championship Series, and have dropped just one Mideast League game over the past two seasons. Indiana Wesleyan picked up four of a possible five first-place votes among league coaches to claim the top spot in the preseason rankings.
Second place in the poll went to the Concordia Cardinals, who earned two first-place votes. Concordia will look to reclaim the top spot after winning Mideast League titles in 2020 and 2021. Siena Heights placed third, followed behind by Taylor in fourth, Lawrence Tech in fifth, and Madonna in sixth.
Defiance, who joins the MSFA as a provisional member in 2024, will make their debut in the preseason rankings as a full member next fall.
To determine the preseason rankings, head coaches across the league rank their fellow Mideast League members from top to bottom, with 1st place earning 5 points, 2nd place earning 4 points, etc. Coaches are not permitted to vote for their own teams.
The Cardinals kick off the 2024 season for the Mideast League, when they host Olivet Nazarene for an MSFA crossover matchup on Saturday, August 31.
2024 MSFA Mideast League Preseason Poll
1.) Indiana Wesleyan – 24 pts. (4 first-place votes)
2.) Concordia – 19 pts. (2)
3.) Siena Heights – 17 pts.
4.) Taylor – 14 pts.
5.) Lawrence Tech – 11 pts.
6.) Madonna 5 pts.
