July 24th, 2026 3:00pm
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) announced the results of its preseason football poll on Friday to open GLIAC Football Media Day, which was held in Grand Rapids, Mich.
The rankings were determined by a vote of the league coaches.
Ferris State, the two-time defending NCAA Division II national champions, was selected to win the 2026 conference crown, earning seven of eight first-place votes. The Bulldogs own a sterling 66-5 record over the past five seasons, capturing four national titles in that span, and have made 11-straight postseason appearances. Ferris State is preseason ranked No. 1 in the nation by Lindy’s Sports.
Grand Valley State, preseason ranked sixth nationally by Lindy’s Sports, received one first-place vote in the GLIAC poll and was voted to finish second. The Lakers posted a 7-3 overall record a year ago, with their three losses coming by a total of 11 points.
Led by 2025 GLIAC Coach of the Year Dan Mettlach, Michigan Tech, which has recorded back-to-back 7-4 campaigns, was selected third.
Davenport, which has compiled a total of 28 wins over the last four seasons, was chosen fourth, receiving 31 points.
Saginaw Valley State was close behind in fifth place, accruing 28 points. The Cardinals will hit the gridiron under new leadership in 2026, as Michael Engle takes over as head coach of the program.
Northern Michigan was positioned in sixth in the preseason poll. The Wildcats, who will be led by first-year coach Matt Janus, finished the 2025 season with back-to-back wins.
Roosevelt (11) and Wayne State (10) rounded out the 2026 GLIAC preseason poll.
GLIAC football action gets underway on Thursday, Aug. 27 with five games on the schedule -- No. 1 Ferris State at No. 7 Pittsburg State, No. 6 Grand Valley State at Charleston, Michigan Tech at Bemidji State, Saginaw Valley State vs. McKendree and Northern Michigan at Minnesota State Morehead.
