With the 2026 FCS football season fast approaching, we’re making predictions for the Southland Conference. Reigning champ Stephen F. Austin is the team to beat, but the title race runs deep with contenders.
As the only FCS conference without a head coaching change entering the 2026 season, the Southland wouldn’t mind if a lot stays the same as last year.
The 10-team conference had three FCS playoff qualifiers for the first time in seven years – Stephen F. Austin, Southeastern Louisiana and Lamar – while UTRGV had the most wins in a startup season in FCS history.
Add in recent powers McNeese, Nicholls and UIW all trying to get back to a high level and the Southland figures to have a competitive title race ahead. The three playoff qualifiers start out in the Stats Perform FCS Preseason Top 25 Poll.
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 Southland Conference Football Predictions
1. Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks
2025 Record: 11-2, 8-0 (1st) Stats Perform FCS Preseason Top 25 Poll: 13 Preseason TRACR Rank (Conference Rank): 15 (1) Opta Average Projected Wins: 8.6 (12 games) Circle the Date: Oct. 24 vs.Southeastern LouisianaThis is the 100th season in SFA history, with last year’s perfect conference finish under coach Colby Carthel a first for the program. There aren’t many better linebacker duos in the FCS than Eli Ennis and Malachi Williams. There definitely isn’t a better returning punt returner than Bugs Mortimer, whose four punt return touchdowns last season were the most in the FCS since 2016.
2. Southeastern Louisiana Lions
2025 Record: 9-4, 7-1 (2nd) Stats Perform FCS Preseason Top 25 Poll: 19 Preseason TRACR Rank (Conference Rank): 32 (2) Opta Average Projected Wins: 7.2 (12 games) Circle the Date: Oct. 17 vs. LamarThe Lions have plenty of options behind center, including dual threat Kyle Lowe, but the top threat in the offensive backfield is running back Deantre Jackson on runs and receptions. Nicholls transfer linebacker Jake Dalmado had a combined 20.0 TFLs and 12.5 sacks over the last two seasons. Is an FBS upset in the offing?
3. Lamar Cardinals
2025 Record: 8-5, 5-3 (T-3rd) Stats Perform FCS Preseason Top 25 Poll: 20 Preseason TRACR Rank (Conference Rank): 35 (3) Opta Average Projected Wins: 6.9 (12 games) Circle the Date: Nov. 7 vs. Stephen F. AustinLamar has posted three consecutive winning seasons for the first time since the program’s 11-year run from 1957 to ’67. The Cardinals had to restock their two lines, but preseason All-America edge rusher Andrew Huff (10.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks) returns to wreak havoc on opponents. Louisiana Tech transfer Evan Bullock will push returning QB Aiden McCown for playing time.
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4 days ago Craig Haley4. UTRGV Vaqueros
2025 Record: 9-3, 5-3 (T-3rd) Stats Perform FCS Preseason Top 25 Poll: RV Preseason TRACR Rank (Conference Rank): 53 (5) Opta Average Projected Wins: 6.1 (12 games) Circle the Date: Oct. 31 vs. LamarEither QB Aidan Jakobsohn or FBS drop-down Garret Rangel will be at the controls for the playoff-hopeful Vaqueros, who averaged 435.2 yards (No. 17 in FCS) and 39.6 points (No. 6) in their banner debut. Linebacker Jaiden Haygood had six games in double figures to finish with 102 tackles.
5. UIW Cardinals
2025 Record: 5-7, 3-5 (T-7th) Preseason TRACR Rank (Conference Rank): 41 (4) Opta Average Projected Wins: 6.6 (12 games) Circle the Date: Oct. 17 vs. UTRGVThe Cardinals eye a return to their 2024 level (11-3, Southand champs), and that includes RB Lontrell Turner being healthy again and with WR Roy Alexander (single-season record 100 receptions) transferring back into their program after one season at Texas Tech. All three games against last year’s Southland playoff trio are on the road.
6. McNeese Cowboys
2025 Record: 5-7, 4-4 (T-5th) Preseason TRACR Rank (Conference Rank): 82 (7) Opta Average Projected Wins: 4.3 (12 games) Circle the Date: Aug. 29 vs. Stephen F. AustinIn the second season since his return, coach Matt Viator seeks to get McNeese back to the level of his first tenure (78-33 from 2006-15). Last year’s team was one of just four in the FCS to have both four players with 325+ rushing yards and five with 20+ receptions. Returnee Tre’Vonte Citizen was part of the group with 503 rushing yards.
7. Nicholls Colonels
2025 Record: 4-8, 4-4 (T-5th) Preseason TRACR Rank (Conference Rank): 76 (6) Opta Average Projected Wins: 5.8 (12 games) Circle the Date: Nov. 20 at Southeastern LouisianaWhile the Colonels’ regular lineup will look different in a deep title race, they’ve been .500 or better in conference 10 of the last 11 years. Shane Lee ended his redshirt freshman season with six of his eight rushing TDs in the final three games, and Ean Rodrigue was the starting QB across the final five games.
8. East Texas A&M Lions
2025 Record: 3-9, 3-5 (T-7th) Preseason TRACR Rank (Conference Rank): 102 (8) Opta Average Projected Wins: 3.4 (12 games) Circle the Date: Aug. 29 at MercerThe Lions led the Southland in passing yards per game (254.8) and still have QB Eric Rodriguez in the mix. But their 39.8 points allowed per game were the fourth most in the FCS, and only two of the team’s top 13 tacklers – defensive back Orion Kupu and Tramar Gilbert – are back.
9. HCU Huskies
2025 Record: 2-10, 1-7 (9th) Preseason TRACR Rank (Conference Rank): 118 (9) Opta Average Projected Wins: 2.2 (12 games) Circle the Date: Oct. 17 vs. East Texas A&MWide receiver Ja’Ryan Wallace (36 receptions, 547 yards, three TDs) is productive, and RB Champ Dozier should be as well, if healthy. Linebacker Trent Zappe, younger brother of HCU’s all-time leading passes Bailey Zappe, was second on the team with 82 tackles.
10. Northwestern State Demons
2025 Record: 1-11, 0-8 (10th) Preseason TRACR Rank (Conference Rank): 120 (10) Opta Average Projected Wins: 2.0 (12 games) Circle the Date: Oct. 17 vs. McNeeseThe Demons beat Alcorn State in their season opener to end a 20-game losing streak, only not to win again while ranking last in the FCS in offensive yards per game (221.8) and third-down conversion% (25.3) and second-to-last in points per game (10.5). Quarterback Abram Johnston returns with 14 career starts, and LB Danny Sears has back-to-back seasons with 52 tackles.
Top photo, from left, via SLU, Lamar and SFA Athletics. For more FCS football coverage, follow at X, Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky.
Southland Conference Predictions: SFA, Southeastern, Lamar Lead Deep Title Race Opta Analyst.
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