Snow College Badgers Ranked 13th in NJCAA Preseason Football Poll

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The Snow College football team is gearing up for a season that feels full of possibility. They’re entering the Southwest Junior College Football Conference (SWJCFC) for the first time, which is kind of a big deal.

Currently, the Badgers are ranked 13th in the NJCAA Division I Football Preseason Poll. After a 6-5 season in 2025, they’re hoping to bounce back and make some noise under Head Coach Zac Erekson.

It won’t be easy, though. Their schedule is loaded with five games against ranked teams—no time to coast.

Curious about more details? You can check out the full announcement on the official Snow College website.

Table of Contents

Snow College Enters SWJCFC with High Hopes

After a transitional 2025 season, the Badgers are set to make their debut in the SWJCFC. Being ranked 13th in the NJCAA Division I Football Preseason Poll suggests people are watching them closely this year.

That ranking says a lot about the grind these players and coaches have put in. There’s a sense of anticipation, maybe even a bit of pressure, hovering over the team right now.

2025 Season Recap

Last season, the Badgers wrapped up with a 6-5 record as an independent. They still managed to land in the NJCAA top 15.

Their record against ranked opponents? Just 1-4—not quite where they wanted to be. There’s definitely room to grow.

Key Opponents in the 2026 Season

This season is stacked with high-stakes games. The Badgers will be facing several top-ranked teams, and these matchups could make or break their run in the SWJCFC.

Top-Ranked Teams

Iowa Western Community College: The Reivers are coming off a national championship and sit at the top of the preseason poll. They beat Hutchinson Community College 28-10 for the title.
Hutchinson Community College: Ranked second, Hutchinson is always a tough out.
Northwest Mississippi: Another heavyweight, sitting comfortably in the top five.
Tyler Junior College: A conference rival, Tyler is also in the top five. That rivalry could get interesting.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College: Rounding out the top five, and definitely not a pushover.

SWJCFC Rivals

Besides the national contenders, the Badgers will have to deal with several ranked SWJCFC teams. These games could get heated and will matter a lot in the standings.

Notable SWJCFC Matchups

Trinity Valley Community College: Ranked seventh, and the Badgers get them at home on September 19 in Ephraim.
Navarro College: Just ahead of Snow at 12th—this one’s got “grudge match” written all over it.
Kilgore College: Not ranked, but they did get preseason votes. The Badgers will have to make the trip to Kilgore, Texas, for this one on September 12.

Home Field Advantage

Home field could be a real X-factor this year. Four out of five games against ranked opponents will be in Ephraim, which feels like a pretty big break.

Key Home Games

Garden City Community College: The season opener is a top-15 battle against the 10th-ranked Broncbusters at Terry Foote Stadium.
Trinity Valley Community College: Another huge matchup, and it’s also at home. Can’t ask for much more than that.

Coach Zac Erekson’s Leadership

Head Coach Zac Erekson is heading into his seventh season. He’s got an 11-14 record against ranked teams, so he’s seen his share of tough battles.

His experience could be the difference maker. The Badgers are hoping this is the year they flip the script against the top-tier teams.

Past Performance

Under Coach Erekson, results against ranked teams have been a mixed bag. Last year it was 1-4, and over the last two seasons, they’re 3-6.

This year, though, there’s a sense that things could finally turn around. We’ll see.

Conclusion

The 2026 season for the Snow College Badgers is shaping up to be something to watch. There’s a tough schedule ahead, and a brand new conference to figure out.

If you want more details about their games or just feel like keeping tabs on how they’re doing, check out the official Snow College news page.

Joe Hughes is the founder of CollegeNetWorth.com, a comprehensive resource on college athletes' earnings potential in the NIL era. Combining his passion for sports with expertise in collegiate athletics, Joe provides valuable insights for athletes, fans, and institutions navigating this new landscape.

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