RIPON, Wis. - After finishing the 2006 season with a 7-2 conference record, which tied for second place, the Ripon football team hopes that momentum will carry into the '07 season. Wednesday, the Red Hawks were picked to do just that, as they were picked to finish third in the conference, as the Midwest Conference released its annual football preseason coaches poll.

The Red Hawks received one of the ten first place votes in the poll, with defending champion St. Norbert receiving the other nine. The Green Knights were picked to win the conference once again, followed by Monmouth, who tied for second place with the Red Hawks last season.

After the "big three", Illinois College, Lake Forest, and Carroll made up the middle of the pack, selected as the number four, five, and six teams, respectively. Lawrence, Knox, Beloit, and Grinnell rounded out the poll. Fans, coaches, and players will begin to see if this poll holds true on September 8, when conference play opens. Nine of the ten MWC teams will be in action on September 1, all against non-conference teams.