MCKINNEY, Texas - Midwestern State Football were picked eighth in the Lone Star Conference Football Preseason Poll, announced at the LSC Football Media Day hosted at McKinney ISD Stadium's Community Event Center in McKinney, Texas. The Maroon and Gold collected 112 points in the preseason poll, voted on by LSC head coaches, sports information directors and media members.

Central Washington led the 2026 preseason poll, totaling 276 points and collected 16 of the possible 30 first-place votes. Western Oregon is picked as the conference runner-up with 247 points and nine first-place votes. West Texas A&M rounded out the top-three selections with 217 points and one first-place vote. Angelo State (4th, 215 points, one first place vote), UT Permian Basin (5th, 203 points, two first place votes), Texas A&M-Kingsville (6th, 162 points), and Eastern New Mexico (7th, 125 points, one first place vote) were picked ahead of the Mustangs to make up the middle of the pack. Midwestern State finished ahead of Western New Mexico (9th, 58 points) and Sul Ross State (35 points) to round out the poll.
 
Offensive Lineman, Paul Ledet, and Defensive Line, Charles McKnight, were selected as LSC Preseason Players to Watch for the Mustangs. Ledet is a two-time LSC All-Conference selection, making the 2nd team in 2024, and an honorable mention in 2025, playing eight games at center for the Mustangs. McKnight played in all 11 games during the 2025 season, totaling 18 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks for 18 yards of loss. Head Coach Rich Renner begins his third season with the Mustangs and looks to build off a 3-8 season in 2025.

Midwestern State returns to the gridiron on Saturday, August 29th, when the Mustangs take on Missouri Southern State in the season opener and home opener. 

2026 LSC FOOTBALL PRESEASON POLL
 
Rank       Team                                    1st            Total
1             Central Washington                16             276
2             Western Oregon                    9               247
3             West Texas A&M                   1               217
4             Angelo State                          1               215
5             UT Permian Basin                  2               203
6             Texas A&M-Kingsville                             162
7             Eastern New Mexico              1               125
8             Midwestern State                                    112
9             Western New Mexico                              58
10            Sul Ross State                                       35