The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) announced its preseason football poll on Tuesday, revealing that the University of Wisconsin‑Platteville is the favorite to win the league championship in the 2026 season. The poll, which reflects the votes of WIAC head coaches and sports information directors, places the Pioneers at the top of the conference standings.
Why Platteville is the favorite
Platteville earned a No. 6 ranking in the D3football.com preseason Top 25, the highest placement among WIAC schools. The Pioneers finished the 2025 campaign with a 30‑14 record under fifth‑year head coach Ryan Munz and made their fourth NCAA tournament appearance in program history. Returning starters include eight offensive players and eight defensive players, highlighted by senior running back Zackary Bothun and senior quarterback Nathan Uselding.
Conference landscape
Four WIAC teams earned spots in the 2025 NCAA Division III tournament, and UW‑River Falls captured its first national title that year, making the conference the first in Division III history to send four teams to the championship. This season’s poll ranks UW‑River Falls seventh, UW‑La Crosse tenth, and UW‑Whitewater twelfth in the national preseason poll. UW‑Oshkosh and UW‑Stout Polytechnic received votes but were listed as receiving votes (RV).
Other programs receiving preseason All‑America honors include UW‑La Crosse’s wide receiver Jack Janke (second team) and defensive back Trent Mullen (second team), as well as UW‑River Falls’ safety Taylor Sussner (second team) and cornerback Andre Hall (third team).
Schedule and postseason outlook
The WIAC regular season opens on September 3, with conference play beginning on October 3. The league’s representative in the Culver’s Isthmus Bowl will be the highest‑finishing team that does not receive an NCAA tournament bid. The bowl game is scheduled for November 21 at Bank of Sun Prairie Stadium in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.
Following Platteville, the poll lists UW‑La Crosse, UW‑River Falls, UW‑Whitewater, UW‑Oshkosh, UW‑Stout Polytechnic, UW‑Stevens Point, and UW‑Eau Claire in descending order.
What this means for local fans
For families and alumni across Wisconsin, the preseason rankings set expectations for a competitive season and highlight the strong tradition of football excellence within the WIAC. Supporters can look forward to a schedule that features traditional rivalries and the chance to see returning talent develop under experienced coaching staffs.
Local businesses and community groups often rally around WIAC football, providing sponsorships and game‑day events that reinforce the connection between the colleges and their surrounding neighborhoods. As the season approaches, fans are encouraged to attend early‑season games, many of which will be played on campus fields that serve as gathering places for students, families, and longtime supporters.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
