COLUMBIA, Ky. - The Lindsey Wilson football team opens the 2026 season ranked sixth in the STADIONIC-NAIA Coaches'  Top 25 Preseason Poll, the national office announced Monday.
 
The Blue Raiders enter the 2026 season coming off a 10-2 record and an appearance in the NAIA Football Championships Series Quarterfinals. Lindsey Wilson captured its sixth Mid-South Conference championship, going 5-1 in conference play. The Blue Raiders defeated Indiana Wesleyan 57-31 in the NAIA FCS Second Round.
 
Two-time defending national champion Grand View (Iowa) sits atop the poll, while Keiser (Fla.) is slotted second. Benedictine (Kan.) sits in third, while College of Idaho and Montana Tech round out the top five in fourth and fifth, respectively.
 
Campbellsville (Ky.) and Georgetown also represent the MSC in the Top 25. Campbellsville begins the season 14th, while Georgetown is slotted 20th. Bethel (Tenn.) and Cumberland (Tenn.) open the season in the receiving votes section.
 
The Blue Raiders open their season on Thursday, hosting No. 23 Reinhardt (Ga.) at 6 p.m. CT at Parnell Family Stadium.