WACO, Texas (August 17, 2026) – With less than two weeks to go before their season opener, the Northern Arizona football team is ranked No. 24 in the American Football Coaches Associate (AFCA) FCS Coaches Preseason Top 25 Poll.
Earlier in August, NAU was ranked No. 25 in the Stats Perform FCS Preseason Top 25, giving the Lumberjacks their second consecutive preseason national ranking.
Like the Stats Perform FCS Preseason Top 25, Montana State is the preseason favorite to repeat as national champions. The Bobcats received 25-of-26 first-place votes with South Dakota State receiving the lone remaining vote. The Big Sky Conference is home to the top two teams in the AFCA Preseason Top 25 with Montana right behind Montana State.
UC Davis is ranked sixth, giving the Big Sky three teams in the top six, with NAU rounding out the conference representation at No. 24. Idaho State and Northern Colorado received votes.
The Lumberjacks open the 2026 season at home at Findlay Toyota Field at the Walkup Skydome on Saturday, Aug. 29, at 2 p.m. Fans may purchase season tickets, single-game tickets and mini-plans at this
link.
For the full AFCA FCS Coaches Preseason Top 25, please click
here.
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