OVC Releases 2026 Preseason Football Poll

Eastern Illinois football will open the 2026 season on Thursday, August 27 with a Week Zero game at former Ohio Valley Conference rival Murray State. On the current Thursday, July 16, the Panthers were predicted to finish seventh in this year’s Ohio Valley Conference preseason poll as voted on by the league’s head coaches. The OVC will host its in-person media day on Friday, July 17 in Nashville presented by Shaw Sports Turf. UT Martin was the preseason favorite with six first place votes followed by Southeast Missouri and Lindenwood. Gardner-Webb was fourth with Charleston Southern, Western Illinois, Eastern Illinois…