The 2026 Lone Star Conference football preseason poll has been released, and the West Texas A&M Buffaloes are slated to finish third behind Central Washington and Western Oregon. The ranking reflects both the team's recent momentum and the competitive depth of the league as it heads into a new campaign.
The Buffs are coming off a seventh straight bowl victory, having edged Arkansas Tech in the Heritage Bowl Powered by Riot, and they closed out 2025 at 8‑4 overall with a four‑game winning streak. That stretch featured a late‑season surge that saw the offense click and the defense tighten, setting a promising tone for the upcoming year.
Coach Josh Lynn, who guided the team to its most wins in a season since 2021 and the most Lone Star Conference triumphs since 2012, said the poll reflects the program’s upward trajectory. "We’re not just aiming for a good season; we’re targeting the top," Lynn remarked, emphasizing the culture of excellence he has cultivated.
A competitive road ahead
Jordan McCarty of Western Oregon and Brycen Indell of Central Washington earned preseason player‑of‑the‑year honors, underscoring the high expectations for the conference’s top contenders. Meanwhile, senior running back Contae Cason and junior defensive back Miles Hill were named to the Players to Watch List, highlighting the Buffaloes' own playmakers who could reshape the league landscape.
The LSC regular season will begin as early as Thursday, Aug. 27, with all 10 league teams playing nine conference games. For West Texas A&M, the schedule promises marquee matchups against traditional powerhouses such as Angelo State, Texas A&M‑Kingsville and Eastern New Mexico, each of which brings a storied championship pedigree to the field.
TAMUK boasts a record 27 LSC titles, while rivals Angelo State and West Texas A&M each have five, setting the stage for a renewed battle for supremacy. As the season unfolds, the Buffaloes will look to translate preseason optimism into another championship run, adding another chapter to a program that has become synonymous with winning.