Edward Waters, Benedict expected to be best teams in SIAC in 2026

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Edward Waters and Benedict are expected to be the teams to beat in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference this season. The Tigers and Bulldogs finished first and second, respectively, in the SIAC’s 2026 preseason predicted order of finish, which was released Wednesday during SIAC Football Media Day.

The preseason recognition reflects the momentum both programs carry into the new season, albeit from very different paths. Edward Waters enters the year with lofty expectations under second-year head coach Brian Jenkins after being voted the conference favorite despite finishing 5-5 overall and 4-4 in SIAC play last season.

The Tigers showed flashes of their potential throughout 2025, highlighted by a 41-38 victory over Virginia Union and Harlon Hill Trophy winner Curtis Allen. However, they also dropped key conference games to Kentucky State and Benedict before ending the season on a six-game losing streak.

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Despite that finish, league coaches and media believe Edward Waters has the pieces to contend for a conference championship in 2026. Earlier during SIAC Media Day, the Tigers also swept the conference’s top individual preseason honors, with running back Jontarius Thomas earning Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and linebacker Trevon French being named Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

Those honors further reinforced Edward Waters’ status as one of the conference’s most talented teams entering the fall. The Tigers also benefit from significant change elsewhere in the conference. Albany State, which has been one of the SIAC’s premier programs in recent years, enters a new era after longtime head coach Quinn Gray departed to become Florida A&M’s head coach. Meanwhile, Benedict is looking to reclaim the conference championship after another impressive season under head coach Ron Dickerson Jr.

The Bulldogs finished 10-3 overall and 7-1 in SIAC play, with their only regular-season conference loss coming against Albany State. Benedict advanced to the SIAC Championship Game before falling to Albany State 22-16, then earned an NCAA Division II playoff berth.

The Bulldogs reached the second round after staging an improbable comeback against Wingate, rallying from a 24-point deficit before winning on a game-ending touchdown. Their season ultimately ended with a 14-12 loss to Albany State in the second round of the Division II playoffs.

Now, Benedict enters 2026 looking to return to the top of the SIAC for the first time since Chennis Berry led the program to the conference championship in 2023. With Edward Waters and Benedict leading the preseason poll, the SIAC appears poised for another competitive race as both programs seek to bring home a conference title.

The full SIAC preseason predicted order of finish is below.

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