CANTON, Ga. - The Southern Athletic Association (SAA) places two teams in the preseason Top 25 from D3football.com and the AFCA.
Trinity University leads the way for the SAA in both preseason polls, coming in at No. 14 after posting a 10-2 record last season. The Tigers earned a first-round bye in the 2025 NCAA Playoffs before defeating No. 12 Hardin-Simmons, 34-24, in the second round. Trinity’s postseason run came to an end in the third round with a 31-23 loss to conference foe Berry.
Berry enters the season ranked No. 15 in the AFCA Coaches Poll and No. 16 in the D3football.com Poll. The Vikings put together a historic postseason run in 2025, earning a first-round bye before defeating LaGrange and Trinity in the second and third rounds, respectively. Berry’s run ultimately ended in the quarterfinals with a 21-13 loss to No. 9 John Carroll.
Both SAA powers will open the 2026 season on Saturday, September 5. Berry will travel to Montgomery, Alabama, to take on Huntingdon College, while Trinity will host Texas Lutheran in its season opener.
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
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