The MIAA released its 2016 preseason football polls on Tuesday.
The conference coaches and media placed UCO in about the same place it finished in 2015.
The Bronchos finished in a three-way tie for fifth in the league standings last year. That was reflected in the polls as they were tabbed fifth in the coaches’ poll and sixth in the media poll.
Defending national champion Northwest Missouri topped both polls with Central Missouri coming in second in both as well.
Northeastern State was picked to finish ninth by the coaches and 10th by the media.
2016 MIAA preseason coaches’ football poll
| Rank | Team | Points (First-place votes) |
| 1. | Northwest Missouri | 120 (10) |
| 2. | Central Missouri | 110 (1) |
| T-3. | Pittsburg State | 87 |
| T-3. | Emporia State | 87 |
| 5. | Central Oklahoma | 86 |
| 6. | Fort Hays State | 80 |
| 7. | Missouri Western | 62 |
| 8. | Washburn | 56 |
| 9. | Northeastern State | 31 |
| 10. | Missouri Southern | 27 |
| 11. | Nebraska-Kearney | 25 |
| 12. | Lindenwood | 21 |
2016 MIAA preseason media football poll
| Rank | Team | Points (First-place votes) |
| 1. | Northwest Missouri | 468 (39) |
| 2. | Central Missouri | 392 |
| 3. | Pittsburg State | 349 |
| 4. | Emporia State | 325 |
| 5. | Fort Hays State | 316 |
| 6. | Central Oklahoma | 310 |
| 7. | Missouri Western | 264 |
| 8. | Washburn | 217 |
| 9. | Lindenwood | 132 |
| 10. | Northeastern State | 117 |
| 11. | Missouri Southern | 84 |
| 12. | Nebraska-Kearney | 68 |