August 26th, 2025 7:00pm
Welcome to the 2026 PSAC football season. It all starts with five PSAC teams in Week Zero action this week, including a matchup between two D2Football Preseason Top 25 Teams. The rest of the PSAC will start their season next week as Week One action commences.
In the PSAC East, Kutztown was picked as the favorite by the head coaches in the preseason poll and also came in at number four, the highest ranked PSAC team, in the D2Football Preseason Top 25 Poll. The Golden Bears are coming off a historic run in 2025 winning both the PSAC and the Super Region One Championships on their way to finishing 14-1 on the season after a loss to Harding in the Semi-Finals. East Stroudsburg was picked second behind Kutztown and Shepherd was picked third in the PSAC Preseason Poll.
In the PSAC West, IUP was the coaches pick to take the top spot. Slippery Rock , ranked number 25 in the D2Football Preseason Top 25 Poll, was picked second and California (PA) was picked third by the coaches heading into this 2026 season.
For a more in-depth look at all the teams in PSAC, make sure you check out the replays of our two D2Football PSAC Preview Shows, one for the East and one for the West, which aired last week. National Columnist Chuck Bitner and I take you through off season happenings, conference realignment, new head coaches, who’s coming back for each team, some insights on each team’s strengths and question marks, and our picks of who will win the East and the West and be playing in the PSAC Championship Game, to be played in the West this season, on November 14th.
Here is a look at the Week Zero games coming up along with my prediction for each game.
Thursday 8/27/26
#20 Minnesota Duluth (NSIC) at #25 Slippery Rock (PSAC West) – 6 PM
My Prediction: #25 Slippery Rock – The Rock has the edge in this one playing at home under the lights in the first meeting of these two teams. Night games at Slippery Rock have not gone well for the visitors in recent years.
East Stroudsburg (PSAC East) at Seton Hill (PSAC West) – 7 PM
My Prediction: East Stroudsburg –The Warriors have been knocking on the door the last few seasons in the PSAC East and are looking to open the 2026 campaign with a making a statement.
Saturday 8/29/26
Gannon (PSAC West) at Davenport (GLIAC) – 12 Noon
My Prediction: Davenport – The Panthers win this Week Zero opener on their home field in Michigan.
Lock Haven (PSAC West) at Shippensburg (PSAC East) – 6 PM
My Prediction: Lock Haven – The Bald Eagles keep their momentum going from their winning season in 2025 as the Raiders begin a program rebuild.