SIU is picked to finish fourth in the 11-team Missouri Valley Football Conference this upcoming season.
North Dakota State is a near unanimous choice to win the league. South Dakota State is picked second with Missouri State third.
Five Salukis were named to the preseason All-Conference team. Wide receiver Avante Cox, all-purpose back Javon Williams Jr. and cornerback PJ Jules were all named to the first team. Fullback Jacob Garrett and safety Clayton Bush were second-team selections.
SIU is coming off back-to-back FCS Playoff appearances in 2020 and 2021 and have spent 24-consecutive weeks ranked in the Top 25.
SIU begins its regular season on Sept. 3 at Incarnate Word and hosts SEMO on Sept. 10.
Season tickets are currently on-sale, and single-game tickets go on sale Wednesday, Aug. 3 at 8 a.m.
