SUWANEE, Ga. - The Gallaudet University football team was picked sixth in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) preseason coaches poll released on Monday.
Gallaudet posted a 1-8 overall record last season and went 1-7 in Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) play. This is Gallaudet's first season in the SCAC as an affiliate member for football. The addition of the Bison helps the SCAC satisfy the NCAA Division III requirements for the SCAC conference champion to receive an automatic qualifier (AQ) bid into the 2026 NCAA championship field. The last time the SCAC earned an AQ in football was in 2011.
Texas Lutheran University returns to the top of the SCAC preseason poll for a second straight year after the Bulldogs went undefeated in league play in 2025 and advanced to the SCAC title game. The Bulldogs finished the 2025 campaign with a 6-4 record and 5-0 mark in SCAC regular season play. TLU edges out Hendrix College (6-4, 4-2 SCAC last season) for the top spot in the 2026 preseason poll as the Bulldogs collected four first-place votes for 34 points while the Warriors picked up two first-place votes and tallied 32 points.
Centenary (La.) College (1-8, 1-4 SCAC) claimed the third spot in the 2026 preseason poll followed by a tie for fourth place between Austin College (3-6, 1-4 SCAC) and Lyon College (2-7, 1-4 SCAC).
The Bison will travel to Albright College on Friday, Sept. 4, at 6 p.m., in Reading, Pa., for the season opener.
2026 SCAC Football Preseason Poll
1. Texas Lutheran (4)
2. Hendrix (2)
3. Centenary (La.)
4. Austin College
Lyon College
6. GALLAUDET
( ) = First-place votes
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The preseason poll rankings were conducted by the SCAC football coaches, with each coach ranking all teams but their own using a staggered points system. No self-voting was allowed.
