Can the Southland Conference Deliver Three Playoff Teams Again?

Can the Southland Remain a Three-Bid League?

The Southland Conference placed three teams in the 2025 FCS Playoffs, but only Stephen F. Austin advanced beyond the opening round, reaching the quarterfinals before falling to eventual national champion Montana State. Although the conference did not release a preseason poll, the Lumberjacks enter 2026 with the biggest target after last season's success. Along with Lamar and Southeastern Louisiana, which also earned playoff berths, the rest of the conference faces the challenge of proving the Southland deserves to remain a three-bid league.

Changes From Last Season

The conference has adopted an everyone-plays-everyone scheduling format, leaving less room for non-conference games. That makes every opportunity outside league play even more valuable. Signature wins such as Lamar's victory over South Dakota, Incarnate Word's win over Abilene Christian, and UTRGV's successful inaugural Division I FCS season, including its first FCS road win over Prairie View A&M, showed what the conference is capable of. Maintaining three playoff bids, however, will require Southland programs to continue scheduling, and winning, challenging but realistic non-conference matchups.

"We are going to need depth to win these ball games, especially late in the season," McNeese head coach Matt Viator said during Southland Conference Media Day. "We have some new faces who have changed a couple of things, and the players have responded well. I cannot wait to see them during training camp."

The Opportunities Ahead

FCS programs occasionally produce unforgettable upsets, Appalachian State's historic win at Michigan remains the gold standard, but sustaining multiple playoff bids requires consistency across the conference.

Several early-season games present opportunities for the Southland to strengthen its national résumé.

• East Texas A&M opens the spotlight on Aug. 29 with a nationally televised ESPN matchup at defending Southern Conference champion Mercer.

• McNeese hosts fellow 2025 playoff participant Tarleton.

• Stephen F. Austin travels to Abilene Christian in one of Texas' premier FCS matchups.

• UTRGV faces a pair of difficult road tests at FBS member UTSA and United Athletic Conference contender Central Arkansas.

Strong performances in these contests could significantly boost the conference's postseason profile.

The Contenders

Stephen F. Austin, Southeastern Louisiana and Lamar enter the season as the conference favorites after all three reached the 2025 FCS Playoffs. Each program strengthened its roster through recruiting and the transfer portal while returning key contributors.

Stephen F. Austin

The Lumberjacks return standout wide receiver and return specialist Bugs Mortimer along with All-American offensive lineman Erik Gray, giving SFA one of the league's strongest veteran cores.

Southeastern Louisiana

Quarterback Kyle Lowe steps into the QB1 role after seeing significant action last season, while senior defensive lineman Peyton Anderson anchors one of the conference's most disruptive defenses.

Lamar

The Cardinals return their starting quarterback, while senior offensive lineman John Hester provides veteran leadership in front of him.

"Our retention went well during the offseason; I give credit to the locker room and the people who are in it, and it all starts with our culture," Stephen F. Austin head coach Colby Carthel said during Southland Conference Opening Drive Media Day in Houston. "In terms of preparation, we may have lost some people, but when you have success as we have, the growth is fun to see."

The Dark Horses

UTRGV

The Vaqueros immediately made an impact during their inaugural FCS season and finished the year receiving votes in the national polls. Defensively, they return several key contributors, including linebacker Jaiden Haygood. The biggest question is at quarterback, where Aidan Jakobsohn and FBS transfer Garrett Rangel will compete for the starting job.

McNeese

The Cowboys return experienced talent on both sides of the football. Combined with veteran head coach Matt Viator, McNeese has the pieces to emerge as one of the conference's biggest surprises.

Incarnate Word

After an unusually disappointing season, the Cardinals are eager to return to championship form after beginning last year nationally ranked.

"We did not play to our standard last season and it came back to haunt us," Incarnate Word head coach Clint Killough said during Southland Conference Media Day. "We want to go back to the things that made us conference champions, multiple playoff games, and push the conference even further."

The Rest of the Field

Several programs will look to shake up the conference race.

Nicholls

The Colonels return quarterback Ean Rodrigue, giving the offense stability heading into the season.

Northwestern State

The Demons welcome back 34 returning players, including offensive leader Myion Hicks and defensive standout Danny Sears.

East Texas A&M

The Lions receive an immediate measuring stick when they open against Mercer. Returning standouts EJ Oakmon and Orion Kupu headline a roster looking to make an early statement.

Houston Christian

The Huskies enter fall camp with a quarterback competition, but they return playmakers Keith Wheeler at wide receiver and Trent Zappe on defense.

"We need to be better disciplined because we did some silly stuff to take us out of ball games," Houston Christian head coach Jason Bachtel said. "I feel that if we change our consistency, we will be in a better position to succeed."