BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -- Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) is the preseason favorite to win the 2026 Mid-South Conference Football regular-season championship, conference officials announced on Thursday.

The Blue Raiders received 25 voting points from the conference coaches, including five of the six first-place votes. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team.

Lindsey Wilson finished 2025 with a 10-2 record, including winning the MSC regular-season championship with a 5-1 mark. The Blue Raiders reached the NAIA Football Championship Series Quarterfinals, falling to eventual national champion Grand View (Iowa).

Georgetown (Ky.) is second in the poll with 18 voting points, including the final first-place vote. The Tigers ended last season with a 7-3 record and a 4-2 conference mark to tie for second in the final standings.

Campbellsville (Ky.) is third in the preseason poll with 16 voting points, followed by Cumberland (Tenn.) with 15 voting points. Bethel (Tenn.) and Cumberlands (Ky.) are tied for fifth in the poll with eight voting points.

The 2026 MSC football season begins Thursday, August 27, with conference play beginning in early October.

 

2026 Mid-South Conference Football Preseason Coaches’ Poll
Pos.	Team	Points (First-Place Votes)	2025 Record (MSC)
1.	Lindsey Wilson (Ky.)	25 (5)	10-2 (5-1)
2.	Georgetown (Ky.)	18 (1)	7-3 (4-2)
3.	Campbellsville (Ky.)	16	8-3 (4-2)
4.	Cumberland (Tenn.)	15	7-4 (3-3)
T-5.	Bethel (Tenn.)	8	4-5 (3-3)
	Cumberlands (Ky.)	8	4-6 (1-5)