With the 2026 FCS football season fast approaching, we’re making predictions for the Patriot League. The league has gotten stronger, with newcomer Villanova favored over two-time defending champ Lehigh in a deep title race.
Among four FCS conferences situated in the Northeast, the Patriot League seeks to replace CAA Football as the new beast.
Through conference realignment, PL football is now the home of three former CAA powers, adding Villanova and Willilam & Mary this year after Richmond last year. Those three programs have combined for 42 FCS playoff appearances, with Richmond (2008) and Villanova (2009) winning consecutive national titles.
Vilanova handed two-time defending PL champion Lehigh its only loss in the second round of the playoffs last season on the way to reaching the national semifinals under coach Mark Ferrante. They’re both nationally ranked entering the new season.
The 10-team PL is set up to annually challenge for multiple playoff qualifiers – something it’s done seven times, most recently in 2022. Only Bucknell and Georgetown have yet to make a playoff appearance.
Each team capsule below pits FCS senior editor Craig Haley’s predicted order up against the Opta projection model. The supercomputer, if you will, incorporates TRACR (Team Rating Adjusted for Conference and Roster) and other factors while running thousands of simulations to determine an average number of wins and losses per team.
2026 Patriot League Football Predictions
1. Villanova Wildcats
2025 Record: 12-3, 7-1 CAA (2nd) Stats Perform FCS Preseason Top 25 Poll: 8 Preseason TRACR Rank (League Rank): 4 (1) Opta Average Projected Wins: 9.2 (12 games) Circle the Date: Oct. 24 vs. LehighThe Wildcats waited much of the offseason on whether quarterback Pat McQuaide (3,123 passing yards, 25 touchdown passes to four interceptions) will have another season of eligibility, and he does following a judge’s ruling. Their offense can still think run first with Ja’briel Mace (946 yards, 11 TDs; also All-America kick returner) and Isaiah Ragland (755, 2). Turner Inge is the top-returning tackler, and fellow linebacker Omari Bursey is ready for a breakout.
2. Lehigh Mountain Hawks
2025 Record: 12-1, 7-0 (1st) Stats Perform FCS Preseason Top 25 Poll: 11 Preseason TRACR Rank (League Rank): 6 (2) Opta Average Projected Wins: 9.2 (12 games) Circle the Date: Oct. 24 at VillanovaNew coach Richard Nagy served as defensive coordinator under Kevin Cahill the last three seasons. His Mountain Hawks are reworking the D-line after ranking No. 1 in the FCS in rushing yards allowed per game (70.1), but the Nick Peltekian-led secondary has veterans. Third-year QB Hayden Johnson has offensive weapons, none bigger than 2025 PL offensive player of the year and returning Walter Payton Award finalist Luke Yoder (3,067 rushing yards, 31 totals TDs in career).
3. William & Mary Tribe
2025 Record: 7-5, 6-2 CAA (T-3rd) Stats Perform FCS Preseason Top 25 Poll: RV Preseason TRACR Rank (League Rank): 45 (5) Opta Average Projected Wins: 6.1 (12 games) Circle the Date: Aug. 28 at VillanovaThere’s no easing into the Patriot League schedule as the Tribe visit Villanova and Lehigh in two of the season’s first three weeks. They should have a dominating D-line with Davin Dzidzienyo, Ty Gordon and Brady Echols. They also can present a different look with double tight ends Jackson Blee (25 receptions in nine games) and Sean McElwain (55 career catches).
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2 weeks ago Craig Haley4. Richmond Spiders
2025 Record: 7-5, 3-4 (T-3rd) Stats Perform FCS Preseason Top 25 Poll: RV Preseason TRACR Rank (League Rank): 54 (7) Opta Average Projected Wins: 5.2 (12 games) Circle the Date: Nov. 21 vs. William & MaryThe PL had 13 league games decided by one possession – eight points or less – and that included all seven of the Spiders’ games. The league’s No. 2-ranked defense returns the top duo of edge rusher Camden Byrd (23.5 TFLs, 17.5 sacks in career), who’s on the Buck Buchanan Award Preseason Watch List, and LB Carter Glassmyer (240 career tackles).
5. Lafayette Leopards
2025 Record: 8-4, 6-1 (2nd) Preseason TRACR Rank (League Rank): 40 (4) Opta Average Projected Wins: 6.2 (12 games) Circle the Date: Nov. 21 vs. LehighThe Leopards faced Lehigh for the league title on the final day of the regular season, falling 42-32. Carson Persing has 144 receptions and 1,493 receiving yards through three seasons and Mason Kuehner stretches the field. Nose tackle Ahmir Crawley and LB Beckham Dee anchor the defense.
6. Holy Cross Crusaders
2025 Record: 3-9, 3-4 (T-3rd) Preseason TRACR Rank (League Rank): 36 (3) Opta Average Projected Wins: 5.8 (12 games) Circle the Date: Sept. 19 vs. YaleAny lower pick with Holy Cross is a dangerous pick. Cam Nolan (33 career games, 20 consecutive starts) carries on the program’s tradition of excellent offensive linemen. Cal Swanson started the first six games behind center before suffering an injury, and Dominic Campanile and Braden Graham (three starts each) are back as well. Opposing QBs don’t want to run into edge Carlo Crocetti (8.0 sacks).
7. Colgate Raiders
2025 Record: 5-7, 3-4 (T-3rd) Preseason TRACR Rank (League Rank): 48 (6) Opta Average Projected Wins: 5.4 (12 games) Circle the Date: Nov. 7 at LehighWhile Colgate has finished below .500 in the PL in three of the last four seasons, three of its top four tackles (LB Christian Magliacano had 82 stops) return, and Jake Stearney (2,099 passing yards, 18 TDs) can keep targeting WRs Matt Fogler and Winston Morgan. Unlike recent seasons, the schedule offers the chance for a strong start.
8. Georgetown Hoyas
2025 Record: 6-6, 3-4 (T-3rd) Preseason TRACR Rank (League Rank): 83 (8) Opta Average Projected Wins: 3.8 (11 games) Circle the Date: Aug. 29 vs. LafayetteSince 2000, Georgetown has only one winning season (2011), but it’s finished 5-6, 5-6 and 6-6 in the last three years. As the offense matures following key losses, the defense with DE Chigozie Oge-Evans and DBs Wedner Cadet and Braylon Wise will lead the way.
9. Bucknell Bison
2025 Record: 5-7, 2-5 (7th) Preseason TRACR Rank (League Rank): 99 (10) Opta Average Projected Wins: 3.0 (12 games) Circle the Date: Sept. 5 vs. VillanovaNew coach Jeff Behrman led John Carroll to the 2025 Division II semifinals. The FCS has only one returning duo to both have 50+ receptions, 650+ receiving yards and 5+ TD catches, and it’s Sam Milligan and TJ Cadden. That’s big news for late-season starting QB Christopher Dietrich.
10. Fordham Rams
2025 Record: 1-11, 1-6 (8th) Preseason TRACR Rank (League Rank): 90 (9) Opta Average Projected Wins: 3.0 (12 games) Circle the Date: Nov. 21 at Holy CrossTo enjoy considerable progress, the Rams need to end a 16-game road losing streak which dates to 2023. Gunnar Smith led the league in passing yards per game (223.3), but was sacked 47 times, or 10 more than any other FCS QB. The defense is replacing the FCS’ all-time leader in tackles (James Conway), but LB Andrew Osmun had 100 stops last season.
Top photo, from left, via Villanova, Lafayette and Richmond Athletics. For more FCS football coverage, follow at X, Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky.
Patriot League Football Predictions: It’s Villanova, Lehigh and a Bunch of Contenders Opta Analyst.
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