After capturing their first outright Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference title since 2012, the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs are tabbed to finish second in the NSIC and are favorites to win the North Division title.

The Bulldogs received three first-place votes and 154 points in the overall conference poll. Minnesota State University, Mankato got 10 first-place votes with 166 points and the nod as pre-season favorites. Augustana University will be an early NSIC challenge for the Bulldogs, as they received the other first-place vote and are projected to finish third with 145 points. The Bulldogs and Vikings will face off on September 3rd in Duluth, Minn.

In the North Division, the Bulldogs received 36 votes and took six-of-seven first-place votes, edging out Northern State University's 29 votes in the poll. Bemidji State University received the other first-place vote and received 25 votes.

Carter Geerts was named the Bulldogs Offensive Player to Watch. The redshirt junior from Byron, Minnesota played in all 12 games on the offensive line for the Bulldogs and earned D2CCA All-Super Region 3 Second Team Offense and NSIC All-Conference First Team selections.

Preston McQueen was named the Bulldogs Defensive Player to Watch. The defensive back from Henderson, Nevada intercepted two passes for the Bulldogs and recorded one sack in 12 games for the Bulldogs on his way to an NSIC All-Conference First Team selection.

The Bulldogs will start their season on the road against Slippery Rock from the PSAC on August 27th, 2026, in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania.