2026 D3FOOTBALL.COM PRESEASON POLL

ARDEN HILLS, MINN.—The Bethel University football team came in at No. 2 on the 2026 D3football.com Preseason Poll, their highest ranking in the 23-year history of the poll.

The 2026 season opener will pit the country's top two teams as the No. 2 Royals will travel to unanimous D3football.com Preseason Poll No. 1 North Central (Ill.) on September 5 at 12 p.m.

Bethel lost just 16-of-119 letterwinners from 2025, which ended with a 12-1 record and a 35-21 loss to North Central (Ill.) in the NCAA Division III Championship Quarterfinals on December 13.