RUSSELLVILLE, AR – Oklahoma Baptist University football was selected to finish 10th in the Great American Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, released on Tuesday afternoon. The Bison moved up one spot from last year's poll and were picked ahead of Southern Nazarene (11th) and Northwestern Oklahoma State (12th).
Defending GAC champion Harding was first with 11 first-place votes and 121 points. Ouachita Baptist was the runner-up with the remaining first-place vote and 103 points, while Southern Arkansas (99), Henderson State (95), and Arkansas Tech (78) rounded out the top five.
Oklahoma Baptist returns several key contributors from a year ago, including one of the GAC's top receivers in
Nick Harris. Harris led the league in catches (49) a season ago, en route to First Team All-GAC honors. He was second in the GAC in receiving yards (749) and third in touchdowns (5).
Conference action begins with a full slate of games on Thursday, Sept. 3. OBU will host Southern Arkansas to begin the season. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. from Crain Family Stadium.
Season tickets for the upcoming season can be purchased online by clicking
HERE.
2026 GAC Football Preseason Coaches' Poll
| Place |
Team (1st-Place Votes) |
Points |
| 1 |
Harding (11) |
121 |
| 2 |
Ouachita Baptist (1) |
103 |
| 3 |
Southern Arkansas |
99 |
| 4 |
Henderson State |
95 |
| 5 |
Arkansas Tech |
78 |
| 6 |
East Central |
68 |
| 7 |
Southwestern Oklahoma State |
67 |
| 8 |
Southeastern Oklahoma State |
53 |
| 9 |
Arkansas-Monticello |
38 |
| 10 |
Oklahoma Baptist |
30 |
| 11 |
Southern Nazarene |
24 |
| 12 |
Northwestern Oklahoma State |
16 |
