Johns Hopkins football earned the top spot in the 2026 Centennial Conference preseason poll, receiving six first-place votes and 46 points from the league’s head coaches. The Blue Jays posted a 12-2 record and advanced to the NCAA semifinals in 2025, establishing themselves as the preseason favorite once again.
Johns Hopkins football leads Centennial Conference poll
The Blue Jays topped the preseason poll for the 16th time in the last 18 seasons and the 20th time since 2004. Johns Hopkins has won the Centennial title in 14 of the previous 18 seasons in which it led the preseason poll, including 10 consecutive seasons from 2009 through 2018.
Carnegie Mellon and Franklin & Marshall Follow
Carnegie Mellon finished second with 40 points. Defending champion Franklin & Marshall received the two remaining first-place votes and finished third with 38 points.
Muhlenberg placed fourth with 36 points, while Ursinus finished fifth with 24 points. The Centennial Conference’s head coaches voted on the poll.
Blue Jays open 2026 season against Ithaca
Johns Hopkins football will open the 2026 season against Ithaca on Saturday, Sept. 5, at noon at Homewood Field. The schedule also lists games against Susquehanna, Dickinson, Ursinus, Gettysburg and Muhlenberg.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
Johns Hopkins football enters the 2026 season as the Centennial Conference preseason favorite after collecting six first-place votes. The Blue Jays’ 2025 NCAA semifinal appearance and record 17 Centennial Conference titles provide important context for this poll result.
While preseason rankings do not determine conference champions, Johns Hopkins’ leading position sets the tone for the league as it prepares for the Sept. 5 opener against Ithaca.
Source: Original report
