Oklahoma City – For the second consecutive season, Texas Wesleyan has claimed the top spot in the 2026 Sooner Athletic Conference Football Preseason Coaches Poll. The league's head coaches voted on the poll.
 
The Rams earned the No. 1 slot in the poll with 62 points and seven first-place votes after completing the 2025 season in the three-way tie for the conference regular-season title with an overall record of 7-5 and a league mark of 7-1. Texas Wesleyan earned the conference's automatic berth into the NAIA Post-Season Tournament before falling in the opening round.
 
Louisiana Christian gained the second spot on the preseason list with 55 points and a first-place vote after grabbing a share of the regular-season title with an overall record of 8-3 and a league mark of 7-1.
 
OUAZ will start the season in third position on the list with 51 points after garnering a share of the regular-season title with an overall mark of 8-1 and a league record of 7-1.
 
Wayland Baptist claimed the fourth spot on the poll with 44 points and a first-place vote after finishing fourth last season with an overall record of 6-3 and a league mark of 5-3.
 
2026 SAC Football Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Texas Wesleyan                     62 (7)
2. Louisiana Christian              55 (1)
3. OUAZ                                         51
4. Wayland Baptist                    44 (1)
5. Nelson                                       32
6. Panhandle State                   29
7. Langston                                   28
8. Texas College                        14
9. Arkansas Baptist                     8