COLUMN: Confident Mules

The University of Central Missouri Mules like their chances this season after finishing one win short of a postseason berth in 2007.

However, coaches in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association don’t agree.

The Mules were picked to finish sixth this season in the MIAA by the conference’s football coaches. The poll was announced Monday  at the league’s annual preseason luncheon in Kansas City.

The Mules received 47 points and no first-place votes.

Northwest Missouri State was picked to win the league, receiving six first-place votes.

The Bearcats return four first-team All-MIAA picks to a team that went 9-0 in the conference and reached the Division II national championship game.

MIAA newcomer Nebraska-Omaha was a close second, only three points behind Northwest Missouri. Nebraska-Omaha, which won the North Central Conference in 2007 with an 8-0 record, received three first-place votes.

Pittsburg State was third with the other first-place vote.

Washburn, who qualified for the D-II playoffs last season, placed fourth, and 2007 Mineral Water Bowl winner Missouri Western rounded out the top five.

Missouri Southern was seventh, Truman eighth, Fort Hays State ninth and  Emporia State 10th.

Southwest Baptist will compete as an independent in football this season.

Central Missouri begins practice Thursday and opens the season Aug. 28 when they host Minnesota State-Mankato at 7 p.m.

The Mules return two first-team All-MIAA players and four second-teamers from a team that went 6-3 in the conference and 7-4 overall.

Linebacker  Adrian Singletary and defensive end John Wood made the first-team defense.

Offensive lineman Craig Harrison, running back Glenn Milner and cornerback Randy Shepherd made the second team.

Defensive back Steven Ehase, offensive lineman Mike Gunselman and defensive lineman  Derek Lampkin received honorable mentions.

UCM brings back 12 players who saw considerable playing time last season on a defense that ranked among the best in the conference in several categories.

The Mules were second in rushing defense, second in sacks, third in scoring defense, third in total defense and fifth in pass defense.

They allowed the second fewest first downs in the league.

The Mules return 11 players from an offense that  ranked seventh in total offense.

They were fourth in scoring offense, fourth in pass offense but only seventh in rushing.

While the Mules struggled at times opening holes for their running backs, they were excellent against the rush, allowing a league-low 11 sacks.

UCM should feel optimistic this season because seven of its 11 games will be played at home.

Four of the teams ranked higher than the Mules in the MIAA must come to Warrensburg this season: Washburn, Sept. 20; Northwest Missouri, Oct. 11; Nebraska-Omaha, Oct. 25; and Missouri Western, Nov. 1.

The Mules’ toughest road challenge appears to be Sept. 27 against Pittsburg State. They went 4-1 at home last season, including a 28-14 win over Washburn.

Points were awarded on a 9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis. Coaches could not vote for their own teams.