Ohio Football Places Fourth in 2026 MAC Football Coaches Preseason Poll
7/22/2026 9:00:00 AM | Football
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CLEVELAND – The 2026 Ohio football program has been selected to finish fourth in the 2026 Mid-American Conference Head Coaches Preseason Poll, the league announced today (July 22). The poll was determined by the league's 13 head coaches.
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Western Michigan was selected to finish first with 138 points, followed by Miami (Ohio) with 134 points and Toledo with 115 points. Ohio garnered 107 points to place fourth, finishing ahead of Central Michigan (101), Buffalo (81) and Eastern Michigan (76).Â
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Western Michigan was selected to win the MAC with nine votes, while Miami (Ohio) secured four votes in its favor.Â
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Ohio is set to open the 2026 season on Saturday, Sept. 5 at Nebraska, taking on the Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium at 12 p.m. ET on FS1. The Bobcats' 12-game slate features six games at Frank Solich Field at Peden Stadium, including four Saturdays. With first-year head coach John Hauser at the helm, Ohio is looking to continue its winning streak in Athens. The 13-game streak, which dates back to the 2023 season, is the Bobcats' longest home-game winning streak in program history. Notably, the program has won 40 games in four seasons (2022-25), 23 of which were on home turf. Additionally, Ohio has won its last four home openers, highlighted by a 17-10 victory over the West Virginia Mountaineers (Sept. 6, 2025).
2026 season tickets are available now; click here to purchase online or call the ticket office at 740-593-1300. Season tickets will be available for purchase until Ohio's home opener against Jacksonville State (Sept. 12). Packages start as low as $55; click here for more information.Â
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2026 MAC Football Coaches Preseason Poll
First Place votes in ( ) | *Coaches were not able to vote for themselves
1. Western Michigan (9) – 138 points
2. Miami (4) – 134 points
3. Toledo – 115 points
4. Ohio – 107 points
5. Central Michigan – 101 points
6. Buffalo – 81 points
7. Eastern Michigan – 76 points
8. Kent State – 64 points
9. Bowling Green – 59 points
10. Akron – 52 points
11. Ball State – 34 points
12. Sacramento State – 28 points
13. Massachusetts – 25 points
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MAC Title Game Champion: Western Michigan – 9; Miami – 4
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#OUohyeahÂ
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CLEVELAND – The 2026 Ohio football program has been selected to finish fourth in the 2026 Mid-American Conference Head Coaches Preseason Poll, the league announced today (July 22). The poll was determined by the league's 13 head coaches.
Â
Western Michigan was selected to finish first with 138 points, followed by Miami (Ohio) with 134 points and Toledo with 115 points. Ohio garnered 107 points to place fourth, finishing ahead of Central Michigan (101), Buffalo (81) and Eastern Michigan (76).Â
Â
Western Michigan was selected to win the MAC with nine votes, while Miami (Ohio) secured four votes in its favor.Â
Â
Ohio is set to open the 2026 season on Saturday, Sept. 5 at Nebraska, taking on the Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium at 12 p.m. ET on FS1. The Bobcats' 12-game slate features six games at Frank Solich Field at Peden Stadium, including four Saturdays. With first-year head coach John Hauser at the helm, Ohio is looking to continue its winning streak in Athens. The 13-game streak, which dates back to the 2023 season, is the Bobcats' longest home-game winning streak in program history. Notably, the program has won 40 games in four seasons (2022-25), 23 of which were on home turf. Additionally, Ohio has won its last four home openers, highlighted by a 17-10 victory over the West Virginia Mountaineers (Sept. 6, 2025).
2026 season tickets are available now; click here to purchase online or call the ticket office at 740-593-1300. Season tickets will be available for purchase until Ohio's home opener against Jacksonville State (Sept. 12). Packages start as low as $55; click here for more information.Â
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2026 MAC Football Coaches Preseason Poll
First Place votes in ( ) | *Coaches were not able to vote for themselves
1. Western Michigan (9) – 138 points
2. Miami (4) – 134 points
3. Toledo – 115 points
4. Ohio – 107 points
5. Central Michigan – 101 points
6. Buffalo – 81 points
7. Eastern Michigan – 76 points
8. Kent State – 64 points
9. Bowling Green – 59 points
10. Akron – 52 points
11. Ball State – 34 points
12. Sacramento State – 28 points
13. Massachusetts – 25 points
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MAC Title Game Champion: Western Michigan – 9; Miami – 4
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#OUohyeahÂ
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