FRISCO, Texas – For the third year in a row, Southeastern is the preseason favorite for the Southland Conference football season, the league announced Monday during Southalnd Football Media Days. The Lions received nine first-place votes and 93 total points to take the spot.
UIW followed closely in second – with seven first-place votes – and 91 points. The Lions and Cardinals shared the Southland Conference regular season title a season ago and both participated in the FCS Playoffs, with UIW advancing to the semifinals.
McNeese was picked third with 65 points followed by Nicholls is fourth with 62 points. Northwestern State was fifth with 52 points, while Texas A&M-Commerce (33), Lamar (28), and HCU (24) wrapped up the poll.
The Lions garnered a league-leading 17 total selections on the preseason all-conference teams, including a conference-best eight first-team selections. SLU is coming off its third postseason appearance in the last four seasons with a full, 24-team bracket, including advancing to the second round a season ago.
The Southland Conference preseason poll is voted on by each head coach and football sports information director. Each voter ranks their predicted order of regular season finish, not including their own team.
2023 Southland Conference Football Preseason Poll
| Pl |
Team (First-place votes) |
Total |
| 1. |
Southeastern (9) |
93 |
| 2. |
UIW (7) |
91 |
| 3. |
McNeese |
65 |
| 4. |
Nicholls |
62 |
| 5. |
Northwestern State |
52 |
| 6. |
Texas A&M-Commerce |
33 |
| 7. |
Lamar |
28 |
| 8. |
HCU |
24 |