RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The Oklahoma Baptist football team was picked to finish 11th in the 2023 Great American Conference preseason poll, voted on by the league's coaches, the GAC announced on Tuesday afternoon.
OBU received 25 votes around the league, good for one slot ahead of Northwestern Oklahoma State, who compiled 17 total votes. Ouachita Baptist claimed 116 votes and eight first-place nods to finish atop the rankings. Harding received 113 (4) votes to finish second, while Henderson compiled 99 votes to round out the top three teams.
The Bison look to turn the tide after a one-win season in 2022 with an influx of fresh talent from the 2023 recruiting class. OBU welcomes 46 new faces onto campus, including 12 offensive lineman, a position group that suffered multiple injuries a year ago.
Defensively, 19 players join the green and gold, highlighted by 15 additions to the linebacker and defensive line position groups.
Oklahoma Baptist will open its 2023 campaign Thursday, August 31, under the lights of Crain Family Stadium against Arkansas Tech University.
2023 GAC Football Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Ouachita Baptist - 116 (8)
2. Harding - 113 (4)
3
. Henderson State - 99
4. Southern Arkansas - 82
5. Southeastern Oklahoma State - 81
6. East Central - 62
7. Arkansas Tech - 59
8. Arkansas-Monticello - 56
9. Southern Nazarene - 42
10. Southwestern Oklahoma State - 40
11. Oklahoma Baptist - 25
12. Northwestern Oklahoma State - 17
For more information on OBU Football, follow the team on Twitter (
@OBU_Football) and Instagram (
@OBU_Football).
