INDIANAPOLIS – The Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) announced the results of the 2026 Football Coaches Preseason Poll on Tuesday, as voted on by the league's head coaches. Defending conference co-champion Ashland was selected as the preseason favorite, earning 87 points and six first-place votes.
The Eagles will look to replace 2025 Player of the Year Michael Shimek, but return a depth of talent including Nico Traczyk who earned Offensive Lineman of the Year last season. Traczyk was a standout for Ashland as a right tackle, starting in every game during his Sophomore campaign. He was voted first-team D2CCA Super Region 3 and led an Eagle offense that churned out a conference-high 182.8 rushing yards per game. On the other side of the ball, Jack Talkington, is a top returner for an Ashland defense that led the league in sacks (50) and interceptions (15). Talkington led the charge with 91 tackles, including 41 solo, while adding three sacks, eight tackles for loss, an interception, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. The Eagles were ranked as high as No. 15 in the AFCA poll and earned a share of the conference title for the third time since joining the conference in 2021.
Northwood was picked to finish second after receiving 85 points and the remaining four first-place votes, setting the stage for what is expected to be another competitive race for the conference championship. Northwood brings back veteran quarterback Ethan Hamby after he finished second in the conference in total offense, along with wide receiver Case Boos. Boos ranked in the top three last season in receiving yards with 645 through 10 games. The duo was led by Coach of the Year Dustin Beurer who guided the Timberwolves to one of the program’s most historic season, including an NCAA postseason berth.
Findlay was tabbed third with 74 points, followed by Tiffin in fourth with 66 points and Hillsdale in fifth with 61 points.
Findlay returns all-conference wide receiver Denny Furlong who appeared and started in all 12 games for the Oilers. The senior ranked second in the conference in receiving touchdowns with eight at 67.6 receiving yards per game. First year head coach Tyler Johns will look to guide the Oilers to another G-MAC championship and NCAA postseason appearance.
The Dragons, predicted to finish fourth, return Jacob Tuiemeh who led the league in tackles with 10.3 per game and 103 on the season. First-year head coach Zack Blair will look to improve on the Dragon’s 6-3 conference record last season, which included an upset over crosstown rival Findlay.
One of the nation’s top returners in Shea Ruddy returns for Hillsdale, who was slotted in the fifth spot. Ruddy garnered several all-American honors from the D2CCA, Associated Press, and Don Hansen Football Committee. He repeated as Special Teams Player of the Year after leading all levels of NCAA football with 960 kickoff return yards and three kickoff return touchdowns. Ruddy is also joined by the 2025 Freshman of the Year Ben Ngishu, who led the team in rushing yards with 794 that were good for five touchdowns.
Walsh was selected sixth with 51 points, while Ohio Dominican claimed seventh with 42 points. Lake Erie followed in eighth with 36 points, Thomas More was chosen ninth with 25 points, and Kentucky Wesleyan rounded out the poll in 10th with 18 points.
The 2026 season promises another exciting year of Great Midwest football, with all 10 programs set to compete for the conference championship and the league's automatic berth into the NCAA Division II Football Championship.
2026 Great Midwest Football Coaches Preseason Poll
| Rank |
Team |
Points |
| 1. |
Ashland (6) |
87 |
| 2. |
Northwood (4) |
85 |
| 3. |
Findlay |
74 |
| 4. |
Tiffin |
66 |
| 5. |
Hillsdale |
61 |
| 6. |
Walsh |
51 |
| 7. |
Ohio Dominican |
42 |
| 8. |
Lake Erie |
36 |
| 9. |
Thomas More |
25 |
| 10. |
Kentucky Wesleyan |
18 |
First-place votes are listed in parentheses.