By WJBC Staff
NORMAL – The Missouri Valley Football Conference released its preseason poll this week and the Illinois State Redbirds were picked to finish seventh.
For the first time since joining the conference in 2008, SDSU has been chosen to win the conference in the fall of 2021 with 454 points and 24 first-place votes. North Dakota State follows close behind in second with 435 points and 18 first-place votes. North Dakota (357), Southern Illinois (345), Northern Iowa (311), and Missouri State (256) make up the middle of third through sixth respectively. Illinois State takes the seventh spot receiving 196 votes. Rounding out the bottom are South Dakota (163), Youngstown State (126), Indiana State (112), and Western Illinois (83).
The preseason poll is voted on by league coaches, media and sports information directors.
In conjunction with the preseason poll predictions, the league also published the Pre-Season All-Conference teams and ISU fullback Timothy McCloyn received a selection to the All-Conference Honorable Mention team.
The Redbirds open the season against Butler on Sept. 4 at Hancock Stadium.
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