Football Picked Fourth in CCIW Preseason Poll

Titans kickoff season on the road, Sept. 5

8/17/2026 12:00:00 PM

NAPERVILLE, Ill. - With the Illinois Wesleyan University football team's season opener drawing near, the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin unveiled its annual preseason coaches poll Monday, Aug. 17. IWU reeled in 45 points and ranked fourth in the nine-team poll.

North Central topped the poll with 64 points and eight first-place votes, with Wheaton following in second. The Thunder snagged one first-place nod and 57 points. Augustana (47) edged out IWU, while Carroll took fifth (32). Carthage (29), North Park (25), Millikin (17), and Elmhurst (8) rounded out the list in sixth through ninth, respectively.

Illinois Wesleyan heads into 2026 in its second season under the direction of head coach Jared Williamson. The Titans went 4-6 in Williamson's first year at the helm and return three All-CCIW selections by way of Dermot Smyth (QB), Will Nazha (WR & RET), and Matt Hansen (DL).

The Green and White kicks off the season with a trip to Albion College Saturday, Sept. 5. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. ET in Albion, Mich. IWU will begin the home portion of the schedule with a 1 p.m. kick against Trine University Saturday, Sept. 12, at Tucci Stadium.

2026 CCIW Football Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. North Central, 64 points (8 first-place votes)
2. Wheaton, 57 points (1 first-place vote)
3. Augustana, 47 points
4. Illinois Wesleyan, 45 points
5. Carroll, 32 points
6. Carthage, 29 points
7. North Park, 25 points
8. Millikin, 17 points
9. Elmhurst, 8 points

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