Bears Will Open Season With National Ranking, Again
8/3/2026 1:55:00 PM | Football
MACON – The Mercer football team found itself in familiar territory once again on Monday when the Bears nestled themselves into the No. 21 spot in the Stats Perform FCS Preseason Top 25. It is the fourth time in the last five years that the Orange & Black will boast a national ranking heading into its newest campaign.
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Tabbed to capture its third-straight Southern Conference championship in a preseason poll of the league's head coaches last month, Mercer is one of just two SoCon teams included in Monday's national ranking. Tennessee Tech occupies the No. 14 spot in the poll, while Western Carolina, East Tennessee State and Furman received votes for consideration.
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The Bears listed at No. 23 to in multiple national polls to begin the 2022 campaign, and boasted a No. 20 preseason ranking prior to the program's run to its first NCAA FCS Playoffs berth in 2023. The Orange & Black lifted the curtain on the 2025 season with a No. 11 preseason ranking.
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Mercer will kick off its 53rd season of intercollegiate football on August 29 when the Bears suit up to take on Southland Conference foe East Texas A&M in the FCS Kickoff at Five Star Stadium. Reserved seat and general admission tickets for the ninth edition of the annual event begin at $20 and can be purchased by visiting MercerBears.com/Tickets.
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Tabbed to capture its third-straight Southern Conference championship in a preseason poll of the league's head coaches last month, Mercer is one of just two SoCon teams included in Monday's national ranking. Tennessee Tech occupies the No. 14 spot in the poll, while Western Carolina, East Tennessee State and Furman received votes for consideration.
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The Bears listed at No. 23 to in multiple national polls to begin the 2022 campaign, and boasted a No. 20 preseason ranking prior to the program's run to its first NCAA FCS Playoffs berth in 2023. The Orange & Black lifted the curtain on the 2025 season with a No. 11 preseason ranking.
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Mercer will kick off its 53rd season of intercollegiate football on August 29 when the Bears suit up to take on Southland Conference foe East Texas A&M in the FCS Kickoff at Five Star Stadium. Reserved seat and general admission tickets for the ninth edition of the annual event begin at $20 and can be purchased by visiting MercerBears.com/Tickets.
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