Rowan University has been selected as the preseason favorite to win the 2003 New Jersey Athletic Conference Football Championship in a poll completed by the head coaches around the league. The Profs,  who have captured the past two NJAC Championships, will be looking to win their 14th NJAC title since the conference's inception in 1969. Under the direction of 2002 NJAC Coach of the Year Jay Accorsi, Rowan posted a 10-1 overall record while making its 10th straight appearance in the NCAA National Championship Tournament. The Profs return six 2002 All-Conference team members in tackles Mike Coghan and Eric Sprengel, linebacker Domenic Tomeo, and defensive backs Vince DeVine, Kevin Evans, and 2002 NJAC Defensive Rookie of the Year, Kelvin Bellamy.

Cortland, who posted a 9-2 overall record and a victory in the postseason ECAC Northwest Championship game, finished second in the poll. The Red Dragons return four 2002 NJAC All-Conference team members in tight end Tony Romano, quarterback/punter J.J. Tutwiler, running back Steven Davis and kicker/punter George Oostmeyer.  
 
Rounding out the rest of the top finishers in the preseason poll are The College of New Jersey in third, Montclair State in fourth, Kean in fifth and William Paterson in sixth. 

The New Jersey Athletic Conference does not sponsor a postseason tournament in football, meaning the regular season champion is awarded the conference crown.

League play will begin on September 13 when Cortland travels to face the coaches dark horse selection, TCNJ at 2:00 PM. Conference play concludes on November 15 when TCNJ travels to Kean and Rowan hosts Montclair State. Both games are scheduled for 1:00 PM kickoffs.