CCIW Release

NAPERVILLE, Ill. - With the start of the season just a few weeks away, the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin unveiled its annual Football Coaches Preseason Poll Monday, Aug. 19. In one of the toughest conferences in the country, the Illinois Wesleyan University football team was predicted to finish sixth in the league with 42 points.

North Central, the reigning Division III national runner-up and top-ranked team in the D3football.com Preseason Top-25, received eight of 10 possible first-place votes and led the way with 80 points. Wheaton, which is ranked ninth in the national preseason poll, checked in just behind the Cardinals with 74 points and two first-place votes. WashU rounded out the top-three with 65 points. 

Augustana garnered 51 points and ranked fourth, while Carroll's 49 points stood fifth. IWU received 42 points in sixth, with North Park (38) and Carthage (24) in seventh and eighth, respectively. Elmhurst (17) and Millikin (10) rounded out the poll.

Voting is done by the CCIW's head football coaches. Each coach votes for the nine other schools in the conference in order of predicted finish. Points are assigned in reverse order of voting (nine points for first, eight for second, etc.). Coaches do not vote for their own teams.

Illinois Wesleyan begins its season in Pella, Iowa against Central College Saturday, Sept. 7. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. The full Titan football schedule can be found by clicking here.

2024 CCIW Preseason Football Coaches' Poll
1. North Central (8 first-place votes), 80 points
2. Wheaton (2 first-place votes), 74 points
3. WashU, 65 points
4. Augustana, 51 points
5. Carroll, 49 points
6. Illinois Wesleyan, 42 points
7. North Park, 38 points
8. Carthage, 24 points
9. Elmhurst, 17 points
10. Millikin, 10 points