2026 MWC Football Preseason Poll
GRINNELL, Iowa – The Grinnell College football team showed marked improvement on the field last season, and that trend is expected to continue in 2026 according to polling of the Midwest Conference coaches.
Grinnell was picked seventh in the preseason poll, garnering 39 voting points. The Pioneers, who were 2-8 overall a season ago and 2-7 in the league, were selected ahead of Knox College (picked eighth with 34 points), Luther College (ninth with 31), Beloit College (10th with 25) and Lawrence University (11th with 13).
Monmouth College was picked to win the league with 99 points and nine of a possible 11 first-place votes. Lake Forest was selected second with 90 points and the other top votes, followed by the University of Chicago (80), Illinois College (77), Ripon College (59) and Cornell College (58).
Grinnell opens its season at home Sept. 5 against non-conference foe Mount Mercy University.
