BURNSVILLE, Minn. --- The Minnesota State football team has been picked to finish fourth in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll.

Minnesota State, along with Sioux Falls, received a total of 136 points in the preseason poll, with MSU receiving three first-place votes and USF garnering two. Augustana topped the poll with five first-place votes and 153 points, with Bemidji State (145 points) and Minnesota Duluth (142 points) following in second and third place, respectively.

The Mavericks were picked to finish second in the NSIC South Division with 31 points and three first-place votes. Augustana topped the south division poll with 32 points and two first-place votes.

Senior wide receiver Jalen Sample was named Minnesota State's offensive Player to Watch after leading the MSU receiving corps last year with 64 catches for 1,047 yards and eight touchdowns. Senior defensive end Chance Bowen was named Minnesota State's defensive Player to Watch. In 2018, Bowen received D2CCA All-American Second Team honors after recording 11 sacks and 12 tackles for a loss.

Minnesota State opens its 2022 season on the road at Bemidji State on Thursday, September 1. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.