ROME, Ga. - The Methodist University football team is looking to break through this season, after being selected eighth, with eight total points in the 2026 USA South Athletics Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll as announced by the league offices on Friday afternoon.
 
The reigning USA South conference champion, Lagrange College, is tabbed atop the league with 48 total points, with six first place votes. Huntingdon College finished in second with 40 total points and one first place vote. Belhaven University will follow suit, rounding out the top three with 35 total points.
 
Brevard College would place in fourth with 34 total points, with one first place vote. North Carolina Wesleyan University was selected fifth in the voting with 23 total points, while Greensboro College and Southern Virginia University are both positioned in tied for sixth, with both schools receiving 18 total points in the poll voting.
 
The Monarchs open the regular season battling Shenandoah University under the lights at Monarch Stadium on Friday, September 4th, with kickoff set for 6:00 PM. Methodist will travel the following week to take on the Quakers of Guilford College at Appenzeller Field inside the Armfield Athletics Center, kicking off at 7:00 PM on Saturday, September 12th. After the bye week, the Monarchs will commence conference action on Saturday, October 3rd, hosting Huntingdon College at Monarch Stadium, with kickoff taking place at 1:00 PM.