College football: Indiana State picked to finish fifth in Missouri Valley

Defending national champion North Dakota State is the preseason pick to win the Missouri Valley Football Conference title this season.

The Bison, who won the Football Championship Subdivision championship last year, shared the conference title last season with Northern Iowa, which is second in the preseason poll conducted by league coaches, media and sports information directors. 

Indiana State was picked fifth in the coaches poll. 

Leading the way for Indiana State will be junior running back Shakir Bell (Warren Central). Last year, Bell broke the school record for rushing yards in a single season with 1,670 yards and was named first team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference as well as the MVFC Offensive Player Of The Year. 

Defensive end Ben Obaseki, linebacker Aaron Archie and center FN Lutz (all seniors) are also among the top returnees for the Sycamores.

 Indiana State, which finished last year 6-5, open the season Sept. 1 in Bloomington against Indiana. The Sycamores last played the Hoosiers in 2007, losing 55-7.

Missouri Valley Conference Preseason Poll:
1. North Dakota State
2. Northern Iowa
3. Youngstown State
4. Illinois State
5. Indiana State
6. South Dakota State
7. Southern Illinois
8. South Dakota
9. Western Illinois
10. Missouri State