2026 Southland Football Preseason Poll Released

Frisco, Texas - Talking season is officially off and running with less than a month until Southland Conference football gets underway. Monday, the Southland Conference released the 2026 Pre-Season poll ahead of the start of the season on August 29th.

Stephen F Austin earned six first-place votes and 77 total points in the poll. SFA is coming off an impressive 2025 season, finishing 11-3 overall and a perfect 8-0 in Southland Conference play.

Southeastern Louisiana was picked to finish second with three first-place votes and 75 points. Lamar came in third with one first-place vote and 67 points.

The McNeese Cowboys were picked to finish sixth in the preseason rankings with 46 points. The Cowboys are entering their second season under head coach Matt Viator after finishing 5-7 overall and 4-4 in conference play last season.

Each Southland Conference head coach and sports information director votes on the preseason poll. Coaches and sports information directors rank every team except their own.

2026 Southland Conference Football Preseason Poll

SFA (77 points, 6 first-place votes)
Southeastern (75 points, 3 first-place votes)
Lamar (67 points, 1 first-place vote)
UTRGV (50 points)
UIW (48 points)
McNeese (46 points)
Nicholls (36 points)
East Texas A&M (25 points)
HCU (16 points)
Northwestern State (10 points)

The Southland Conference's poll aligns directly with a media poll that was conducted around Southland Conference Media Days by the Lake Charles American Press...