ETAMU Lion Football picked to finish tied for seventh in SLC preseason poll

The Southland Conference released the 2025 football preseason poll on Monday as part of the SLC Opening Drive, with the East Texas A&M University football team being picked to finished in a tie for seventh place.

The Lions received 59 points in the preseason poll that is voted on by the conference’s head coaches and sports information directors, who cannot vote for their own teams. HCU also received 59 points to tie East Texas A&M for seventh in the 10-team conference.

Last season, East Texas A&M went 3-9 overall and 2-4 against SLC opponents, picking up a road win over Northwestern State and edged out HCU at home in conference play.

For the first time in the Division I era, the Lions are eligible to make the NCAA FCS Playoffs this season.

The Lions look to replace 12 starters from last season and welcome a newcomer class of 42, which includes 27 transfers from NCAA Division I FBS (13), FCS (Four), Division II (One), Division III (One), and junior college (Eight) ranks.

Last season’s Southland Champion and NCAA Quarterfinalist, UIW, is picked to win its second straight conference title and fourth in the last five years. SFA is picked to finish second, followed by Southeastern, just a point behind the Lumberjacks.

The Lions and the Huskies fall 26 points behind McNeese, who was picked sixth, while Northwestern State was selected ninth with 39 points, and UTRGV, who is playing its first season of football this season, was picked 10^th.

The 2025 season begins on August 30 at 8 p.m. for the Lions at SMU on the ACC Network. East Texas A&M’s first home game comes on September 27 against NC Central at 6 p.m.

Season tickets are on sale and can be purchased at LionAthletics.com/Tickets.

2025 SOUTHLAND FOOTBALL PRESEASON POLL

Article source and photo credit: East Texas A&M University Athletics