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WHEELING -- The Mountain East Conference preseason poll was released Friday, with the start of the football season only a few weeks away. The Wheeling University football squad placed fifth on the preseason poll, while West Liberty was tied for seventh in the nine-team poll.
MEC head coaches voted on the poll. Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own teams.
West Liberty received 22 points in the preseason voting, tied with Concord. Wheeling received 36 points.
For the Cardinals, their fifth-place selection was the highest preseason ranking in program history. Wheeling finished 6-5 overall last season, 5-3 across their MEC schedule.
West Liberty went 3-8 in their 2025 campaign.
Frostburg State University, the reigning Mountain East Conference Co-Champion, was selected as the preseason favorite. The Bobcats finished the 2025 season 11-3, concluding at the NCAA DII Football Championship Quarterfinals. Frostburg State earned eight of the nine first place votes.
Charleston, which was picked second in the preseason poll, shared the 2025 MEC Co-Championships with Frostburg State, finishing 8-3 overall with a 7-1 mark in MEC play. They received one first-place vote.
West Liberty's season opener, the first game with new head coach Chad Salisbury, will see the Hilltoppers host visiting Walsh inside West Family Stadium on Thursday, August 27 for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
Wheeling opens their own season at home as well, welcoming Thomas More to Bishop Schmitt Field on Saturday, August 29 at noon.
MEC Preseason Poll
School (First Place Votes) Voting
1. Frostburg State (8) 64
2. Charleston (1) 57
3. Fairmont State 41
4. West Virginia State 39
5. Wheeling 36
6. Glenville State 32
T-7. Concord 22
T-7. West Liberty 22
9. West Virginia Wesleyan 11