CANTON, Ga. - The Trinity Tigers were selected as the 2026 preseason favorite for the Southern Athletic Association (SAA) football title.
Trinity captured five first place votes to beat out Berry for the one spot, tallying 54 total points while the Vikings were right behind them with 52 points and three first place votes. The race to stay in the top five was tight as Centre took third with 38 points and Maryville and Millsaps tied for fourth with 37 points each.
Voting was conducted among the SAA’s eight head coaches.
2026 FOOTBALL PRESEASON POLL RESULTS
1. Trinity - 54 (5)
2. Berry - 52 (3)
3. Centre - 38
T4. Maryville - 37
T4. Millsaps - 37
6.Southwestern 27
7. Rhodes - 20
8. Sewanee - 15
Trinity enters the 2026 season ranked No. 14 in the D3football.com preseason poll. The Tigers finished 10-2 overall and 6-1 in SAA play last season, earning an at-large berth and a first-round bye in the NCAA Division III Playoffs. Trinity defeated Hardin-Simmons in the second round before facing conference rival Berry, who advanced to the next round.
The Vikings enter the season ranked No. 16 nationally following a historic 2025 campaign that ended in the Elite Eight. Berry is led by Region 3 Coach of the Year Tony Kunczewski, who guided the Vikings to a perfect 7-0 record in conference play last season.
The battle for third through fifth place is expected to be just as competitive as it was a year ago, when Centre, Maryville, and Millsaps each finished 4-3 in SAA play.
The regular-season champion will receive the SAA’s automatic qualifying bid to the NCAA Division III Playoffs.
For more information on all things SAA, visit the websites of any of the participating schools, or go to the SAA's home on the internet at
www.saa-sports.com. Be sure to stay up to date on all ofyour Southern Athletic Association news by following @SAA_Sports on Twitter (X) and @SAA_Sports on Instagram.