Defending Midwest Conference champion Monmouth College has been picked to win the league again in 2026 as the Midwest Conference Football Preseason Poll was released on Thursday.

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.

The Fighting Scots return 13 players who received MWC All-Conference accolades last season. On offense, running back Nate Wrublik (Lemont, Illinois), wide receivers Chase Newman (Morrison, Illinois) and Jeremiah Williams (Oviedo, Florida) and lineman Aiden Weaver (Tuscola, Illinois) were all first-team while wide receiver Mason Emin (Sterling, Illinois) and linemen, Tyrek Tripp (Clearwater, Florida), Mikey Benzija (Oviedo, Florida) and Acen Akers (Lancaster, Missouri) were on the second team. 

The defense returns first-team cornerback Kevin Soivilien (Miami, Florida) along with second-team linebackers Gavin Carpenter (Coal City, Illinois) and Carson Strating (Morrison, Illinois), lineman Jeremiah Hardnett (O'Fallon, Illinois) and special teamer Kaden Foglesong (Ipava, Illinois). 

Head coach Chad Braun won a record sixth MWC Coach of the Year award last season as the Scots went 9-0 in conference play and 9-2 overall. Monmouth was ranked nationally for a majority of the season and ranked among the top teams in the nation in a variety of defensive categories. 

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, including the Fighting Scots, 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