![Hancock Stadium](https://www.wjbc.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/389/2016/10/HancockStadiumISU630-1.jpg)
By Greg Halbleib
ST. LOUIS – Illinois State is picked to finish third in the Missouri Valley Football Conference in the annual pre-season poll of the league’s coaches and media.
North Dakota State is the favorite to win the Valley title. The Bison have won at least a share of the league title for eight straight seasons. Illinois State received three of the 40 first-place votes.
South Dakota State is second in the poll followed by the Redbirds, Indiana State and Northern Iowa. The remaining five in order are South Dakota, Youngstown State, Western Illinois, Southern Illinois and Missouri State.
Illinois State opens the season August 31st at Northern Illinois.
Sports Director Greg Halbleib can be reached at [email protected].