KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The Pittsburg State University football team was tabbed third in both the 2016 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Coaches and Media Polls released Tuesday (Aug. 2) at the conference kickoff press event at Children's Mercy Park.
 
The Gorillas, who tied for fifth place in the MIAA standings with a 6-5 record in 2015, received one first-place vote and 87 total points in the MIAA Coaches Poll to finish in a tie for third place with Emporia State. Defending NCAA Division II and MIAA champion Northwest Missouri received 10 first place votes and 120 points to earn the preseason No. 1 ranking.

Central Missouri also received one first place vote and 110 points to rank No. 2 in the Coaches Poll. The Hornets matched the Gorillas with 87 points to share third place, while Central Oklahoma landed at No. 5 with 86 points.
 
In the media poll, the Gorillas received 349 points to place third behind the Bearcats, who garnered all 39 first-place votes and 468 points, and UCM (392 points). ESU was fourth with 325 points while Fort Hays State was fifth with 316 points.
 
Pitt State returns 13 players (8 offense, 5 defense) who started four or more games during the 2015 season, including eight returning All-MIAA performers.