FREELAND, Mich. – In a preseason poll of Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association head football coaches, the Adrian Bulldogs were picked to prevail in what is predicted to be a hotly contested conference race.

With 12 points, Adrian edged past Albion and Olivet; the two teams tied for second place in the preseason prognostication with 13 points. Trine was also in the mix with 17 points to move into fourth place. Alma topped Hope for fifth place by a three-point margin, while Kalamazoo rounded out the poll in the seventh slot.

The preseason poll for MIAA football awards one point for a first-place vote, two points for a second-place vote, et cetera. The top four teams earned at least one first-place vote from their peers; coaches were not allowed to vote for their own programs. 

Adrian, which finished 4-2 in MIAA action last season and posted a 7-3 overall record, returns key players on both sides of the ball in 2016. Among them are all-MIAA performers Damon Fuller (Jr., DL, Redford, Mich.) and Chris Adams (So., OLB, St. Petersburg, Fla.). Earlier this month, Adrian was ranked 25^th heading into the 2016 campaign by The Sporting News.

Albion went 9-2 overall in 2015 and registered a 5-1 record in MIAA play. First-team All-MIAA offensive lineman Andrew DiFranco (Sr., C, Warren, Mich.) was a key part to the Britons' offensive line that helped Albion finish among the top of NCAA statistical leaders on offense. Defensively, Geordon Carter (Jr., FS, Grawn, Mich.) and Anthony Waite (Sr., CB, White Lake, Mich.) combined for three of Albion's 12 interceptions last year and are part of a core group returning for the Brits. 

Olivet's lone blemish on its stellar 9-1 season in 2015 was a 49-21 setback at home to Albion. The Comets, who are led on the field by all-time passing leader Braden Black (Sr., QB, Battle Creek, Mich.), will look to avenge last season's loss to the Britons Oct. 15 at Albion. Olivet also features Ryan Anderson (Sr., WR/P, DeWitt, Mich.), a preseason D3football.com second-team All-American punter, and two-time All-MIAA defensive end Justin Madar (Sr., DL, Holt, Mich.).

Trine went 4-2 against MIAA competition last fall and was 6-4 overall under the first-year direction of head coach Troy Abbs. First-team All-MIAA performer Taylor James (Sr., LB, LaPorte, Ind.) and second-team All-MIAA honoree Mark Wilson (Jr., RB, Indianapolis, Ind.) are anticipated to aid Trine this fall on their respective sides of the line. The Thunder head into the 2016 schedule ranked 25^th nationally by Lindy's Sports.

Alma (5-5, 2-4), Hope (2-8, 0-6) and Kalamazoo (3-7, 1-5) aim to improve on their 2015 campaigns.

The 2016 MIAA football season begins Thursday, Sept. 1 when Trine travels to Manchester for a 7:30 ET contest.

The first day of conference competition is Saturday, Oct. 1, when six MIAA teams take the field in league play; preseason favorite Adrian travels to Albion to start the 2016 MIAA season.

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