Football | 7/20/2026 1:00:00 PM
SUNY Cortland, the five-time defending Empire 8 Champions, is ranked No. 23 and Utica University is receiving votes in the 2026
D3football.com preseason poll. The D3football.com Top-25 is voted on by a panel of 25 coaches, Sports Information Directors and media members from across the country, and is published weekly. Points are awarded on a 25-24-23-22-etc. basis.
The Red Dragons won their seventh Empire 8 title in 2025 while Utica University finished second in the conference.
Cortland closed the season with an 8-3 record. The Red Dragons were a first round exit in the NCAA Tournament with a loss to Springfield.
Utica closed out their 2025 season with an 8-3 record. They were selected for ECAC's where they lost to Rowan University in the Asa S. Bushnell Bowl, 26-20.
The 2026 regular season for all seven Empire 8 institutions begins Sept. 5 and concludes on Nov. 14. League play begins right on Saturday, September 19 with Cortland hosting Hartwick. On Nov. 14 Cortland will play Ithaca, who is also receiving votes, in the annual Cortaca Jug. The 2026 Empire 8 champion receives an automatic berth into the NCAA Division III Championship.