Wabash College was picked to finish third in the 2026 North Coast Athletic Conference Football Coaches' Poll released Monday.

The Little Giants received 76 points to place third among the conference's 10 teams in the annual preseason poll.

John Carroll, the 2025 NCAC champion, received six first-place votes and 95 points to earn the top spot. DePauw received the remaining four first-place votes and 93 points to place second.

Washington University in St. Louis, which joins the NCAC as a football-only member beginning this season, placed fourth with 68 points. Denison (57 points), Wittenberg (51), Ohio Wesleyan (38), Wooster (36), Kenyon (22), and Oberlin (14) completed the preseason poll.

Wabash finished 9-2 overall and 6-2 in conference play in 2025, placing third in the NCAC standings. The Little Giants represented the conference in the ForeverLawn Bowl, part of the Opendorse Bowl Series, at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. Wabash defeated Ohio Northern 32-31.

Wabash opens the 2026 season Sept. 5 at home against Hampden-Sydney College in the renewal of The Gentlemen's Classic. The Little Giants begin conference play Sept. 12 at home against Wittenberg.

Tickets for the 2026 Wabash home football season are available at sports.wabash.edu/tickets.