NORMAL, Ill. – The Missouri Valley Football Conference announced on Tuesday the placement of five Redbirds on the Preseason All-Conference team and have ranked Illinois State eight overall in the preseason poll voted on by league coaches, media and sports information directors.
Following its ninth FCS championship in 2021, North Dakota State has been chosen as the league's preseason favorite with 446 points and 39 first-place votes. South Dakota State follows close behind in second with 407 points and two first-place votes. Missouri State (355), Southern Illinois (306), Northern Iowa (304), and South Dakota (235) make up the middle third through sixth places respectively.