University of Northern Iowa football team is ranked as high as fourth in some of the predictions in pre-season publications for division one-double-A. Second-year Panther coach Mark Farley says the high rankings mean there will be a target on their back, but he says that’s okay because they should be one of the top programs. He says they now have to live up to the expectations. Farley says it should be another tough Gateway Conference race. Farley says a trip to Oklahoma State September 7th highlights their non-conference schedule. He says the games against division one opponents are tough, but says they help the team in the long run.The Panthers are ranked fourth in the “Street and Smith’s” preview, while Athlon has them ranked 11th. U-N-I was 11-3 last season, and opens at home against Wayne State of Michigan on August 29th.
