Southeastern Louisiana and Lamar Ranked in Southland Football Preseason Poll

Southeastern Louisiana University was selected second in the Southland Conference preseason football poll, receiving three first‑place votes and 753 points. Stephen F. Austin State University topped the poll with six first‑place votes, while Lamar University was placed third with 67 points and one first‑place vote.

Lamar also opened the season ranked 20th nationally in the STATS Perform Preseason Top 25, the highest preseason national ranking in the program’s history. The Cardinals return 11 starters from a playoff run that produced an eight‑win season and a top‑25 finish. Both schools will begin the 2026 season with home games in early August.