The Baker football team comes into the season ranked fourth in the HAAC Football Coaches’ Preseason Poll and No. 12 in the NAIA Top 25 Spring Coaches’ Poll.
The Wildcats will be tested early with their first two games of the season coming against Missouri Valley College, second in the HAAC Preseason Poll and No. 16 in the NAIA Top 25, and MidAmerica Nazarene University, third in the HAAC Preseason Poll and No. 8 in the NAIA Top 25. Lindenwood is first in the conference poll and is third nationally.
“We’ve stepped into that arena that we’re not hiding under the radar anymore. I think that’s exciting for a program,” head coach Mike Grossner said.
Grossner said the defense is where fans will see the most improvement from the team.
“We led the country in turnover margin, which usually equates to wins,” Grossner said. “We were very proud of that. That’s our defense taking it away and our offense not turning it over.”