BURNSVILLE, Minn. – Bettors should be favoring Bemidji State to dominate the Northern Sun conference football season, at least according to the pre-season coaches’ poll. The Beavers received four first place votes and amassed 131 points. Minnesota State at Mankato was second at 125. To keep the poll pristine, coaches cannot vote for their own team. But how accurate is the poll? As professional and uniquely knowledgeable conference-watchers, the coaches’ prognosticating is worth noting. But a lot can happen in the 11-week conference schedule. The first games are Thursday. The coaches’ ranking for the season:
> Bemidji State, 131 points (four for first place).
> Minnesota State, Mankato, 124 (five).
> Wayne State of Nebraska, 114 (two).
> Augustana, 112 (two).
> UM-Duluth, 109.
> Winona State, 103.
> Northern State of South Dakota, 75.
> Sioux Falls, also 75.
> Southwest Minnesota State, 50.
> MSU-Moorhead, 45.
> Concordia of St. Paul, 20.
> Mary, 20.
> Minot State, also 20.