Photo by: Jordan Segelken
Jacks in at No. 13 in AFCA’s Preseason Coaches Poll
8/17/2026 12:00:00 PM | Football
Coaches rankings have SFA matching up with seven teams currently ranked or receiving votes to start ‘26
WACO, Texas – Stephen F. Austin football will begin the 2026 season as the consensus No. 13-ranked FCS team in the country after the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) announced its top 25 on Monday morning with the Jacks' latest top 15 nod matching the Stats Perform preseason rankings two weeks ago. The Jacks totaled 313 points to edge out Week 3 opponent Abilene Christian.
The defending Southland Conference champs, picked to repeat in '26, are joined in the coaches poll by fellow league foes Southeastern Louisiana at No. 20 and Lamar at No. 21, while UIW (9 pts.), UTRGV (9 pts.) and McNeese (1 pt.) are all receiving votes. In addition to ACU, the Jacks' non-conference schedule also features defending SWAC champ Prairie View A&M which collected four points in the preseason rankings.
The initial AFCA rankings gives the Jacks seven opponents ranked or receiving votes to start the 2026 season which looms less than two weeks away.
SFA concluded the 2025 campaign at consensus No. 7 nationally; the program's highest final poll ranking since 1995 and the third-highest finish all-time.
The 2026 season begins August 29 in Lake Charles against McNeese and the Jacks will play East Texas A&M on September 5 in the home opener; the lone game in Nacogdoches through the first four weeks of the season.
SEASON 100: ON THE HEELS OF HISTORY
The 2026 season will be the eighth for head coach Colby Carthel as the SFA football program hits the century mark in gridiron campaigns. The Lumberjacks are coming off a historic 2025 that saw SFA capture the program's fifth SLC title and first since 2010, while making the program's ninth FCS postseason appearance. That title came behind the program's first eight-win conference season and first perfect finish in league play in 99 seasons. The Jacks reached double-digit wins for the fifth time in program history, and the 11 victories last fall are the most since the '95 campaign.
SEASON TICKETS ON SALE NOW
There's never been a better time to lock in your seat at Homer Bryce Stadium! Season tickets for the upcoming SFA Football season are on sale now, offering the best value for a six-game home slate. Don't miss a single snap as SFA looks to defend its Southland Conference title. Visit www.SFATickets.com to secure your season tickets today and be part of the action all season long.
FOLLOW THE LUMBERJACKS
For all the latest information on SFA football, visit SFAjacks.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Lumberjacks on X, Instagram and Facebook.
The defending Southland Conference champs, picked to repeat in '26, are joined in the coaches poll by fellow league foes Southeastern Louisiana at No. 20 and Lamar at No. 21, while UIW (9 pts.), UTRGV (9 pts.) and McNeese (1 pt.) are all receiving votes. In addition to ACU, the Jacks' non-conference schedule also features defending SWAC champ Prairie View A&M which collected four points in the preseason rankings.
The initial AFCA rankings gives the Jacks seven opponents ranked or receiving votes to start the 2026 season which looms less than two weeks away.
SFA concluded the 2025 campaign at consensus No. 7 nationally; the program's highest final poll ranking since 1995 and the third-highest finish all-time.
The 2026 season begins August 29 in Lake Charles against McNeese and the Jacks will play East Texas A&M on September 5 in the home opener; the lone game in Nacogdoches through the first four weeks of the season.
SEASON 100: ON THE HEELS OF HISTORY
The 2026 season will be the eighth for head coach Colby Carthel as the SFA football program hits the century mark in gridiron campaigns. The Lumberjacks are coming off a historic 2025 that saw SFA capture the program's fifth SLC title and first since 2010, while making the program's ninth FCS postseason appearance. That title came behind the program's first eight-win conference season and first perfect finish in league play in 99 seasons. The Jacks reached double-digit wins for the fifth time in program history, and the 11 victories last fall are the most since the '95 campaign.
SEASON TICKETS ON SALE NOW
There's never been a better time to lock in your seat at Homer Bryce Stadium! Season tickets for the upcoming SFA Football season are on sale now, offering the best value for a six-game home slate. Don't miss a single snap as SFA looks to defend its Southland Conference title. Visit www.SFATickets.com to secure your season tickets today and be part of the action all season long.
FOLLOW THE LUMBERJACKS
For all the latest information on SFA football, visit SFAjacks.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Lumberjacks on X, Instagram and Facebook.
Wednesday, August 05
Monday, August 03
Thursday, April 23
Monday, December 15
