TOPEKA, Kan.  – The Washburn Ichabods were tabbed No. 8 in both the MIAA preseason coaches and preseason media polls that were released today by the league office at the annual MIAA Football Media Day hosted by Washburn inside the Sneed Indoor Athletic Facility. The Ichabods will open the 2026 season under second-year head coach Zach Watkins on Aug. 29 at former MIAA foe Truman State in Kirksville.
 
The Ichabods went 3-8 during the season and 2-7 in MIAA contests. Four of the Ichabods' eight losses were under seven points.
 
Pittsburg State edged out Northwest Missouri for the top spot in the MIAA Coaches Poll, collecting seven first-place votes compared to three for the Bearcats. Central Oklahoma and Fort Hays State followed in third and fourth, respectively, with Central Missouri rounding out the top five.
 
In the MIAA Media Poll, Northwest Missouri claimed the No. 1 position with 19 first-place votes, narrowly ahead of Pittsburg State, which received 10. Central Oklahoma again landed third, while Central Missouri and Fort Hays State swapped positions compared to the coaches poll to complete the top five.
 
2026 MIAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON RANKINGS
COACHES POLL
1. Pittsburg State [7]
2. Northwest Missouri [3]
3. Central Oklahoma
4. Fort Hays State
5. Central Missouri
6. Emporia State
7. Nebraska Kearney
8. Washburn
9. Missouri Western
10. Missouri Southern
[#] - First Place Votes
 
MEDIA POLL
1. Northwest Missouri [19]
2. Pittsburg State [10]
3. Central Oklahoma [1]
4. Central Missouri 
5. Fort Hays State
6. Emporia State
7. Nebraska Kearney
8. Washburn
9. Missouri Western
10. Missouri Southern
[#] - First Place Votes