Harding football will open the 2026 season ranked No. 2 in the nation in both the AFCA Division 2 Coaches Poll and the D2Football.com Preseason Top 25.
The national preseason rankings were released Tuesday, Aug. 18, following a historic 2025 season for the Bisons.
Harding finished last season with a 15-1 record and advanced to the NCAA Division 2 national championship game. The Bisons finished as the national runner-up behind Ferris State, which completed a 16-0 season.
Ferris State enters 2026 ranked No. 1 in both national polls, with Harding holding the No. 2 position.
Harding received 738 points in the AFCA voting. Ferris State claimed 31 1st-place votes and 775 points.
Kutztown is ranked No. 3 in the AFCA poll, followed by Pittsburg State at No. 4 and Minnesota State at No. 5.
The top 5 teams in the D2Football.com poll are Ferris State at No. 1, Harding at No. 2, Minnesota State at No. 3, Kutztown at No. 4 and Pittsburg State at No. 5.
Harding has now appeared in the AFCA Top 25 for 91 consecutive weeks, continuing 1 of the longest active streaks in NCAA Division 2 football.
The Bisons will begin their 1st season under head coach Roddy Mote. Harding also enters the season as the unanimous favorite in the Great American Conference Preseason Coaches Poll.
Harding returns a veteran group led by consensus 1st-Team All-American fullback Andrew Miller.
Miller was the 2025 Harlon Hill Trophy runner-up after rushing for a Harding single-season record of 2,048 yards and scoring 28 touchdowns.
The Bisons also return 1st-Team All-Great American Conference selections Cobe Williams on the offensive line, Justin Sobczak on the defensive line and linebacker Jordan Mays.
Harding will open the 2026 season at home Thursday, Sept. 3, against Northwestern Oklahoma State.
Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. at First Security Stadium in Searcy.
The Bisons will attempt to build on a remarkable stretch that includes the 2023 NCAA Division 2 national championship and a return to the national title game in 2025.
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