WICHITA, Kan. — The Southwestern College football team was picked to finish third in both the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference Bissell Division preseason coaches and media polls ahead of the 2026 season.

In the coaches poll, McPherson College claimed the top spot with 23 points and three first-place votes. Friends University followed closely in second with 22 points and three first-place votes.

Southwestern earned 18 points to secure the No. 3 position in the division. Kansas Wesleyan University was picked fourth, followed by the University of Saint Mary in fifth and Sterling College in sixth.

The media poll also placed the Moundbuilders third in the Bissell Division. Southwestern received 2 first-place votes in the media poll and 75 total points. Friends earned the No. 1 spot with 98 points and 9 first-place votes, while McPherson was selected second with 94 points and 7 first-place votes.

Southwestern will begin its 2026 campaign on the road against Bethel College at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, in North Newton, Kansas. The Threshers were selected to finish fourth in the KCAC Kessinger Division preseason poll after a 3-8 season in 2025.

The season opener will mark the beginning of another campaign for the Moundbuilders as they look to compete near the top of the Bissell Division and build toward postseason contention.