BOWLING GREEN, Ky.--Cumberland University football was picked to finish fourth in the 2026 Mid-South Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, conference officials announced Thursday.

The Phoenix received 15 voting points from the conference coaches, finishing just one point behind third-place Campbellsville. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team.

Cumberland enters the 2026 season after posting a 7-4 overall record and a 3-3 mark in Mid-South Conference play last fall. The Phoenix finished tied for fourth in the conference standings.

Cumberland put together several notable performances during the 2025 campaign, including a 35-33 victory over then-No. 6 Campbellsville and a 40-37 overtime win against Cumberlands. The Phoenix were perfect at Nokes-Lasater Field, finishing the season with a 5-0 record at home.

Lindsey Wilson was selected as the preseason favorite after receiving 25 voting points and five of the six first-place votes. The Blue Raiders went 10-2 overall and 5-1 in conference play last season, winning the MSC regular-season championship before advancing to the NAIA Football Championship Series Quarterfinals.

Georgetown was picked second with 18 points and the remaining first-place vote. Campbellsville landed third with 16 points, one point ahead of Cumberland. Bethel and Cumberlands tied for fifth with eight points apiece.

The Phoenix are set to kick off the 2026 season next Thursday at home opening up with St. Thomas University. 

2026 Mid-South Conference Football Preseason Coaches' Poll

Pos.	Team	Points (First-Place Votes)	2025 Record (MSC)
1.	Lindsey Wilson (Ky.)	25 (5)	10-2 (5-1)
2.	Georgetown (Ky.)	18 (1)	7-3 (4-2)
3.	Campbellsville (Ky.)	16	8-3 (4-2)
4.	Cumberland (Tenn.)	15	7-4 (3-3)
T-5.	Bethel (Tenn.)	8	4-5 (3-3)
T-5.	Cumberlands (Ky.)	8	4-6 (1-5)