The Ohio Valley Conference’s preseason football poll has once again placed Tennessee State University at the bottom of its rankings, marking the second straight year the Tigers have been projected to finish last.
The forecast was released during the league’s football media day on July 17, where coaches and administrators shared their expectations for the upcoming season.
UT Martin emerged as the clear favorite, collecting six of the eight first‑place votes that determine the poll’s top spot.
TSU, now in its second season under head coach Reggie Barlow, finished the previous year with a 2‑10 overall record and a winless 0‑8 mark in conference play, the first time the program has failed to win a league game.
The Tigers’ two victories came against North Carolina A&T and Howard, but they ended the campaign on a five‑game losing streak that highlighted the uphill battle ahead.
Other programs received modest support in the rankings, with Southeast Missouri State, Lindenwood, Gardner‑Webb, Charleston Southern, Western Illinois and Eastern Illinois each drawing votes for lower‑tier placements.
A New Identity on the Horizon
The 2026 season will see the OVC reclaim its name after a three‑year merger with the Big South, a shift that could reshape the competitive landscape for all members.
For TSU, the stakes are higher than ever; a program that has yet to break through in conference play will need to leverage its new coaching direction and recruiting efforts to alter its trajectory.
Meanwhile, UT Martin looks to extend its recent dominance, having captured four of the past five OVC championships and earned FCS playoff appearances in 2021 and 2024.