BETHLEHEM, PA – The Lehigh Mountain Hawks were picked No. 1 in the initial Lambert Cup poll of 2026, selected by the Lambert Cup Committee.
The Mountain Hawks just blanked fellow Patriot League member Fordham 34-0 this past weekend, bringing them to 6-0 on the season, 4-0 in Patriot League play. The undefeated Mountain Hawks sport wins over two teams receiving votes in the Lambert Cup poll (Dartmouth, Holy Cross) but are joined in the initial poll by two Patriot League members still to play on their schedule: (Richmond, 3rd, Colgate, 4th). and an Ivy League member in two week’s time: (Cornell, 10th).
Sitting just below Lehigh is Harvard of the Ivy League at 2nd, and Monmouth (NJ) of the CAA sitting at 5th. The Ivy League, CAA and Patriot League all have three members in the initial Lambert Cup poll, while Morgan State of the MEAC fills out the rankings at No. 9.
The 2026 Lambert Cup Committee consists of regional and national FCS Football media members and conference representatives, and is a weekly poll to help determine the winner of the Lambert Cup for the 2026 season. Currently, the cup is on display at Villanova, the recipient of the Lambert Cup in 2026. This season, should the opportunity arise in an FCS Playoff matchup to potentially crown a Lambert Cup champion, the Committee may decide unanimously to award the winning team the Lambert Cup at the conclusion of the contest.
1. Lehigh 110 (11)
2. Harvard 94
3. Richmond 73
4. Colgate 72
5. Monmouth (NJ) 55
6. Stony Brook 44
7. Bryant 36
8. Yale 35
9. Morgan State 27
10. Cornell 21
ORV: Central Connecticut State 12, Robert Morris 11, Darmouth 4, Delaware State 3, Albany (NY) 2, Princeton 2, Howard 1, Sacred Heart 1, Columbia 1, Holy Cross 1.