INDIANAPOLIS- With opening kickoff just a few weeks away, the Ashland University Eagles were voted to win the league following the release of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Football Coaches Preseason Poll, presented by Under Armour.
 
Ashland grabbed seven first-place votes in the balloting for a total of 88 points. 2024 Coach of the Year Doug Geiser returns five all-conference selections in hopes of earning the programs third G-MAC title in 2025. Second-team selection Ty’aris Stevenson returns for the Eagles at the running back position. Stevenson totaled 929 yards last season and found the endzone on 12 occasions. Stevenson’s 12 touchdowns ranked third in the league. On the defensive end, Michael Shimek is a key returner for the Eagles after totaling 59 tackles last season, including 13.5 tackles for loss. Ashland advanced to the second round of the NCAA Regional before falling to No. 20 Cal PA.
 
Tiffin ranked second in the coaches poll with two first-place votes. Khris Walton, the 2025 Defensive Lineman of the Year, returns for the Dragons after leading the league in tackles for loss with 18 for 115 yards. In his first year at the helm of Tiffin football, head coach Brett Ekkens led the Dragons to 7-2 conference record and advanced to the Crossroads Bowl. The Dragons were an offensive powerhouse last season with a league-high 50 touchdowns and scoring 392 points.
 
Findlay rounds out the top three with 75 points including one first place vote. Eight all-conference players return for the Oilers after a 9-2 record last season.
 
Hillsdale and Northwood were slotted fourth and fifth followed by Walsh and Ohio Dominican.

Return Specialist Shea Ruddy will be back for the Chargers after being voted Special Teams Player of the Year last season. Ruddy led the league in kick returns with 11 for 732 yards, including two touchdowns. He also found himself atop the league in all-purpose yards per game with 161.7. In addition to Ruddy, Jacob Vance is another top-returner for the Chargers. At the linebacker position, Vance finished with a team-high 57 tackles as well as 10 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. 

Thomas More, Lake Erie, and Kentucky Wesleyan round out the preseason poll, respectively.
 
Great Midwest football will officially kickoff on Thursday, August 28 with a non-conference matchup between Walsh and West Liberty. Conference play will begin on Saturday, September 20.

School	Points
1. Ashland (7)	88
2. Tiffin (2)	83
3. Findlay (1)	75
4. Hillsdale	64
5.  Northwood	60
6. Walsh	48
7. Ohio Dominican	45
8. Thomas More	41
9. Lake Erie	24
10. Kentucky Wesleyan	22