Marian selected to top Midwest League in preseason poll
In their first season in the Midwest League, the Marian Knights are narrowly picked to finish on top, as the 2024 MSFA Preseason Coaches’ Polls were released on Thursday.
After claiming eight Mideast League titles since 2011, the Knights edged out three-time defending Midwest champions Saint Xavier in the poll, earning three of a potential five first-place votes. Marian closed their time in the Mideast as co-champs in 2023, before falling in the NAIA Football Championship Series to the Cougars.
Saint Xavier will go for their 11th Midwest League crown this fall, and fourth in a row following back-to-back perfect League seasons in 2022 and 2023. The Cougars picked up one first place vote in the poll, and came up one point shy of Marian in the total vote tally.
St. Francis (Ill.) earned a pair of first-place votes and was one point behind SXU to place third in the poll. The Saints were the last team to claim a Midwest League title other than Saint Xavier, when they shared the championship in 2021.
Another Midwest League newcomer in Saint Francis (Ind.) placed fourth in the poll, followed by Olivet Nazarene at No. 5 and Judson at No. 6.
To determine the preseason rankings, head coaches across the league rank their fellow Midwest 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.
Olivet Nazarene kicks off the 2024 season for the Midwest League, as they travel for an MSFA crossover matchup at Concordia on Saturday, August 31.
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2024 MSFA Midwest League Preseason Poll
1.) Marian – 21 pts. (3 first-place votes)
2.) Saint Xavier – 20 pts. (1)
3.) St. Francis (Ill.) – 19 pts. (2)
4.) Saint Francis (Ind.) – 16 pts.
5.) Olivet Nazarene – 9 pts.
6.) Judson – 5 pts.
