GRINNELL, Iowa — Illinois College was picked to finish fourth in the 2026 Midwest Conference Football Preseason Poll, the league announced on Thursday.
The Blueboys are coming off an 8-3 season (7-2 in conference action) and a berth in the Lakefront Bowl. IC welcomes back five returnees who earned all-conference accolades a year ago in defensive lineman
Blaze Helton, wide receiver
Timo Kato, wide receiver
Zechariah Wease, offensive lineman
Blake Buckles, and quarterback
Tyson Elliott.
Monmouth has been picked to win the league again. The Fighting Scots received nine first-place votes and 99 points to lead the poll. 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 picked up the two remaining first-place votes and 90 points. The Foresters have won three MWC crowns in the last five years. The University of Chicago came in third place, accumulating 80 points. IC followed closely in fourth with 77 points. Ripon rounded out the top half of the voting, taking fifth with 59 points.
The poll concluded with Cornell (58 points), Grinnell (39 points), Knox (34 points), Luther (31 points), Beloit (25 points) and Lawrence (13 points).
The Blueboys will open the 2026 season on September 5th at Elmhurst. IC's first home game is the following week against Lyons. The MWC opener is September 19 at Lawrence. 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.
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
