Northwestern is preseason pick to win the GPAC football championship.LINCOLN, Neb. -- -
The Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) held their thirteenth annual football media day on Thursday.
One of the highlights of the day is the release of the preseason coaches poll. Northwestern is preseason pick to win the GPAC championship. The Red Raiders totaled 78 points and six (6) first place votes. Defending champion Morningside was picked second with 76 points and the final four (4) first place votes. Hastings was third with 53 votes. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team.
Here is the complete 2012 GPAC Preseason Football Coaches' Poll:
| Place |
School
|
Points
|
First Place Votes
|
|
1.
|
Northwestern
|
78
|
6
|
|
2.
|
Morningside
|
76
|
4
|
|
3.
|
Hastings
|
53
|
|
|
4.
|
Dakota Wesleyan
|
51
|
|
|
5.
|
Doane
|
51
|
|
|
6.
|
Midland
|
51
|
|
|
7.
|
Nebraska Wesleyan
|
38
|
|
|
8.
|
Concordia
|
24
|
|
|
9.
|
Briar Cliff
|
16
|
|
|
10.
|
Dordt
|
12
|
|
New this year is a media poll was conducted among those present at the press conference. Morningside was tabbed in the media poll to win the GPAC with 76 points and five (5) first place votes, while Northwestern was two points back in second with 74 points and three (3) first place votes. Doane was picked third by the GPAC media with 60 points.
Inaugural 2012 GPAC Media Poll
|
Place
|
School
|
Points
|
First PlaceVotes
|
|
1.
|
Morningside
|
76
|
5
|
|
2.
|
Northwestern
|
74
|
3
|
|
3.
|
Doane
|
60
|
|
|
4.
|
Hastings
|
49
|
|
|
5.
|
Midland
|
47
|
|
|
6.
|
NebraskaWesleyan
|
45
|
|
|
7.
|
Dakota Wesleyan
|
34
|
|
|
8.
|
Concordia
|
31
|
|
|
9.
|
Briar Cliff
|
15
|
|
|
10.
|
Dordt
|
9
|
|
Games for the 2012 season kick off on Saturday, August 25, with Concordia hosting Benedictine (KS) in non-conference play. The GPAC schedule will consist of nine games with week one (September 1) a bye week in the conference (except Doane vs. Briar Cliff). The rest of the GPAC begin league play on September 8.
