BURNSVILLE, Minn. – The Southwest Minnesota State University football team was tabbed for a ninth-place finish in the 13-team, Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference preseason coaches' poll released on Monday.
 
SMSU, which reported for fall camp on Sunday and had its first practice today (Aug. 7), under second-year head coach, Scott Underwood, finished the 2022 season at 4-7 overall, which was the most wins for the program since 2018.
 
Bemidji State, which advanced to the NCAA playoffs last season, was selected as the preseason favorite, receiving four first-place votes (coaches cannot vote for their own team) and recording a total of 131 points. Minnesota State was chosen second with five first-place votes and 125 points, while Wayne State was third (two first-place votes) with 114 points followed by Augustana (two first-place votes) with 112 points and Minnesota Duluth rounding out the top five with 109 points.
 
Winona State was picked to finish sixth with 103 points, followed by Northern State and Sioux Falls in seventh-place, with each earning 75 points. SMSU recorded 50 points to rank ninth, while MSU Moorhead (45), Concordia-St. Paul (35) were selected 10^th and 11^th respectively, while UMary and Minot State (both with 20 points) rounded out the poll in a tie for 12^th-place.
 
This season, NSIC football will consist of each team playing 10 conference games over an 11-week schedule. It's the first time since 2007 that the conference will not have a two-divisional format.
 
Bemidji State senior quarterback Brandon Alt earned NSIC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year honors, with Northern State senior defensive lineman Ian Marshall earned NSIC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year accolades.
 
SMSU senior wide receiver Peter Osman (Rochester, Minn.) and junior linebacker Thomas Mergen (Rochester, Minn.) were tabbed a 'Player to Watch' in the NSIC for the Mustangs.
 
Osman, a 2023 team captain, played in all 11 games last season and led the team in both receptions (30) and yards (467), while finishing second on the team with two touchdowns. He also had a pair of rushing touchdowns.
 
"Pete has been a workhorse and leader in our program on and off the field with his efforts to improve himself and our team each season," Underwood said. "The high level of training that Pete holds himself to has only rubbed off on his teammates to improve our offensive production in setting a high standard. We look forward to Pete remaining healthy for a productive season."
 
Mergen, a team captain in 2023, started all 11 games last season and finished the season third on the team in tackles with 72 and was second on the squad with 50 solo stops. He ranked second with 6.5 tackles for loss and recorded one sack.
 
"Thomas is a visible and vocal leader in our program. He puts in a tremendous amount of time in the study of film and training to improve his game and help direct our defense on the field," Underwood said. "He is a physical linebacker with strong instincts which makes him like having another coach on the field."
 
The Mustangs open the regular season on Thursday, Aug. 31 at Minot State. The home opener is set for Saturday, Sept. 9, for the annual Ag Bowl-Presented by Ralco, versus Bemidji State with kickoff slated for 5 p.m.