Southern Illiinois picked to defend MVFC title

ST. LOUIS -- Southern Illinois has been picked to repeat as champions of the Missouri Valley Football conference.

The Salukis received 30 of 36 first-place votes in a preseason poll of league coaches, media members and sports information directors.

South Dakota State, Illinois State and Northern Iowa are picked to finish behind Southern Illinois. Just eight points separate the second-place Jackrabbits from the fourth-place Panthers.

The Salukis finished 8-0 in league play last season and have won 14 conference games in a row.

The preseason favorite has gone on to win the league title 13 times in 24 years.