The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference is set for another exciting football season as teams across the conference prepare to compete for a championship and a spot in the NCAA Division II playoffs. With a mix of established contenders and programs looking to make a move up the standings, every week should bring meaningful matchups.
Year after year, the RMAC has been home to some of Division II's top football programs, producing conference champions, playoff teams and nationally recognized talent. That tradition is expected to continue in 2026 as the league begins another competitive campaign.
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From preseason favorites to standout players and rivalry games, there will be plenty of storylines to follow throughout the fall. Fans can expect another season filled with high-stakes conference games and memorable performances.
Before the action begins, here's a look at five things to know about RMAC football in 2026, including the teams to watch, key matchups and other storylines heading into the new season.
2025 RMAC Football Standings
- Colorado State University Pueblo — Overall: 10-2, Conference: 9-0
- Chadron State — Overall: 8-4, Conference: 8-1
- Western Colorado — Overall: 10-3, Conference: 7-2
- Colorado School of Mines — Overall: 7-4, Conference: 5-4
- Colorado Mesa — Overall: 6-5, Conference: 5-4
- New Mexico Highlands — Overall: 6-5, Conference: 4-5
- Black Hills State — Overall: 3-8, Conference: 3-6
- South Dakota Mines — Overall: 3-8, Conference: 3-6
- Fort Lewis — Overall: 2-9, Conference: 1-8
- Adams State — Overall: 0-11, Conference: 0-9
2026 All-RMAC Football Preseason Honors
All-RMAC Preseason Offensive Team
- QB: Aidan Thompson (Chadron State)
- RB: Max Barnes (Colorado School of Mines)
- RB: Dawson Dunbar (South Dakota Mines)
- WR: Marcellus Honeycutt Jr. (CSU Pueblo)
- WR: Caden Measner (Western Colorado)
- WR: Pierce Richards (Colorado School of Mines)
- TE: Blake Smotherman (Colorado School of Mines)
- TE: Alex Turpin (Colorado Mesa)
- OL: Dominic Castanon (Chadron State)
- OL: Calem Grimble (Colorado Mesa)
- OL: Cooper Mumford (Colorado Mesa)
- OL: Taylor Nichols (Western Colorado)
- OL: Joseph Shepardson (Western Colorado)
All-RMAC Preseason Defensive Team
- DE: Drew Johnson (Western Colorado)
- DE: William Stemler (Chadron State)
- DT: Mikey Smith (Western Colorado)
- ILB: Ian Loomis (Western Colorado)
- ILB: Cooper Walton (Chadron State)
- OLB: Dawson Chapman (New Mexico Highlands)
- OLB: Dontaivious Nelson (New Mexico Highlands)
- S: Gibson Leafgreen (Colorado Mesa)
- S: Kahden Rullo (CSU Pueblo)
- CB: Joshua Faulkner (Black Hills State)
- CB: Jaheim Roper (Black Hills State)
All-RMAC Preseason Special Teams
- PK: Preston Kyle (Colorado School of Mines)
- PK: Jackson Smith (CSU Pueblo)
- P: Lucas LeSieur (Colorado School of Mines)
- PR: Easton Peterson (Western Colorado)
- KR: Bryce Coulson (Black Hills State)
- LS: Josh Hildebrand (Colorado School of Mines)
Who Won The 2025 RMAC Championship?
Colorado State University Pueblo. This was their second straight win. They beat Chaldron State in a double overtime 30-27
2026 RMAC Football Preseason Coaches' Poll
(1st-place votes)
- CSU Pueblo (8) – 80
- Western Colorado (1) – 69
- Colorado School of Mines – 62
- Chadron State (1) – 60
- Colorado Mesa – 52
- New Mexico Highlands – 38
- South Dakota Mines – 34
- Black Hills State – 29
- Fort Lewis – 16
- Adams State – 10
Top Matchups To Watch
- CSU Pueblo vs. Colorado School of Mines – Sept. 12
- Western Colorado vs. Colorado School of Mines – Nov. 7
- CSU Pueblo vs. Western Colorado – Nov. 14
Archived Footage On FloCollege
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