Momentum from last season has followed West Texas A&M into 2026.
The Buffaloes have been picked to finish third in the Lone Star Conference Football Preseason Poll, which was unveiled Thursday during the league's annual media day at McKinney ISD Stadium in McKinney.
It's a sign that expectations are growing in Canyon after the Buffs closed the 2025 season with four straight wins, finishing 8-4 and capping the year with a victory over Arkansas Tech in the Heritage Bowl Powered by Riot. The bowl appearance marked the program's seventh all-time, while head coach Josh Lynn guided WT to its highest win total since 2021 and the program's most Lone Star Conference victories since 2012.
The Buffs received one first-place vote and totaled 217 points in the preseason balloting, finishing just ahead of Angelo State, which earned 215 points. Defending conference champion Central Washington claimed the top spot with 276 points and 16 first-place votes, while Western Oregon landed second with 247 points and nine first-place votes.
UT Permian Basin finished fifth with 203 points, followed by Texas A&M-Kingsville, Eastern New Mexico, Midwestern State, Western New Mexico and Sul Ross State.
The preseason poll is voted on by Lone Star Conference head coaches, sports information directors and media members.
West Texas A&M also earned individual recognition heading into the season.
Senior running back Contae Cason and junior defensive back Miles Hill were both named to the Lone Star Conference Players to Watch List, joining 18 other standouts from around the league.
The conference also announced its preseason players of the year, with Western Oregon quarterback Jordan McCarty taking Offensive Player of the Year honors and Central Washington linebacker Brycen Indell being named Defensive Player of the Year.
The Buffs won't have to wait long to see if they can live up to the preseason expectations.
West Texas A&M opens the regular season on Thursday, Aug. 27, joining Angelo State, Eastern New Mexico and Western New Mexico as the first conference teams to kick off the 2026 campaign. The remaining schools begin play over the following week, with all 10 teams set to play a nine-game conference schedule to determine the Lone Star Conference champion.
West Texas A&M has plenty of history in the league. The Buffs have captured five Lone Star Conference championships, winning titles in 1986, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2012. Only Texas A&M-Kingsville, with 27 conference championships, has won more league titles.
