Contact: Brock Reisler, Assistant Executive Director, breisler@midwestconference.org
 
HILBERT, Wisconsin — Defending Midwest Conference champion Monmouth College has been picked to win the league again in 2026 as the MWC Football Preseason Poll was released on Thursday morning.
 
The Fighting Scots received nine first-place votes and 99 points to lead the polling. Monmouth has gone 41-4 in MWC play over the last five full seasons and is searching for back-to-back NCAA Playoff appearances. Last season, the Fighting Scots received a bye in the 2025 NCAA Division III Football Championship, falling to Saint John’s in the second round.
 
In second place, Lake Forest College picked up the two remaining first-place votes and 90 points. The Foresters have won three MWC crowns in the last five years.
 
University of Chicago came in third place, accumulating 80 points. Illinois College followed closely in fourth with 77 points. Ripon College rounded out the top half of the voting, taking fifth with 59 points.
 
The poll concluded with Cornell College (58 points), Grinnell College (39 points), Knox College (34 points), Luther College (31 points), Beloit College (25 points) and Lawrence University (13 points).
 
The 2026 season opens on Thursday, September 3 with two teams in action. The remaining nine teams kick off on Saturday, September 5.
 
Midwest Conference play begins the following Saturday (September 12). Throughout the season, all 11 league teams will play eight conference games to determine the MWC Football Champion and winner of the automatic qualifier to the NCAA Playoffs.
 
The MWC preseason coaches’ poll is voted on by the league’s 11 football head coaches. Full results and quick facts for all 11 teams can be found below:
 
2026 MWC Football Preseason Coaches’ Poll Results
1. Monmouth College (9 first-place votes) - 99 points
2. Lake Forest College (2) - 90 points
3. University of Chicago - 80 points
4. Illinois College - 77 points
5. Ripon College - 59 points
6. Cornell College - 58 points
7. Grinnell College - 39 points
8. Knox College - 34 points
9. Luther College - 31 points
10. Beloit College - 25 points
11. Lawrence University - 13 points
 
Beloit College Buccaneers
Head Coach: Kyle Langhoff (2nd Season)
2025: 1-9 (overall), 1-8 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: N/A
 
Cornell College Rams
Head Coach: Curt Ritchie (2nd Season)
2025: 4-6 (overall), 4-5 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Julius Jenkins, DL (Sr); Joshua Martin, DB (Sr)
 
Grinnell College Pioneers
Head Coach: Brent Barnes (7th Season)
2025: 2-8 (overall), 2-7 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Ricky Eastern, OL (Jr); Luke Konczal, LB (So)
 
Illinois College Blueboys
Head Coach: Ray DeFrisco (11th Season)
2025: 8-3 (overall), 7-2 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Blaze Helton, DL (Sr); Timo Kato, WR (Jr); Zechariah Wease, WR (Sr); Blake Buckles, OL (Sr); Tyson Elliott, QB (Sr)
 
Knox College Prairie Fire
Head Coach: Adam Gonzaga (1st Season)
2025: 2-7 (overall), 3-6 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: N/A
 
Lake Forest College Foresters
Head Coach: Jim Catanzaro (18th Season)
2025: 7-3 (overall), 7-2 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Jacob Gump, P (Jr); James Jordan, TE (So) – MWC Newcomer of the Year; Ethan Springer, QB (Jr); Blake Ware, LB (Sr); Dematris Azcueta, DB (5th); Vance Cooper, RB (Sr); Brandon Henderson, DB (Jr); Preston Mosher, DL (Sr); Jackson Sander, LB (Sr); Hudson Schambach, K (Jr); Kennedy Washington, OL (So)
 
Lawrence University Vikings
Head Coach: Dan Galante (1st Season)
2025: 0-9 (overall), 0-9 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: N/A
 
Luther College Norse
Head Coach: Joe Troche (5th Season)
2025: 0-10 (overall), 0-8 (A-R-C)
All-Conference Returnees: Ben Lorence, LS (Sr); Tyler Ragan, DB (Sr)
 
Monmouth College Fighting Scots
Head Coach: Chad Braun (12th Season)
2025: 9-2 (overall), 9-0 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Aiden Weaver, OL (Jr); Tyrek Tripp, OL (Jr); Acen Akers, OL (So); Mikey Benzija, OL (Sr); Nate Wrublik, RB (Sr); Chase Newman, WR (Jr); Jeremiah Williams, WR (Sr); Mason Emin, WR (Jr); Jeremiah Hardnett, DL (Sr); Carson Strating, LB (Jr); Gavin Carpenter, LB (Jr); Kevin Soivilien, DB (Sr); Kaden Foglesong, DL (So)
 
Ripon College Red Hawks
Head Coach: Jake Marshall (4th Season)
2025: 5-5 (overall), 5-4 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Desean Smith, DL (Sr)
 
University of Chicago Maroons
Head Coach: Craig Knoche (2nd Season)
2025: 7-3 (overall), 7-2 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Walter Kilgore, K/P (Jr); Jake Lowry, DB (Sr); Chaz Carson, OL (Jr); Michael Schneider, OL (Jr); Cole Ostendorf, LB (Jr); Morrison Giggetts, WR/KR (Jr)