KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Louisiana Christian University football team received votes in the 2026 NAIA Top 25 Preseason Poll, the NAIA announced on Monday.
 
The Wildcats, who finished the 2025 season receiving votes after clinching a share of the Sooner Athletic Conference Championship, also received votes to start 2026. Louisiana Christian was one of three SAC teams to receive votes in the preseason poll with the other two being the two teams LCU shared the conference title with a season ago, Texas Wesleyan and Ottawa (Ari.).
 
Louisiana Christian begins its 2026 season on Thursday, taking on NCAA Division I Northwestern State. Kickoff between the Wildcats and Demons is set for 7 p.m. at Turpin Stadium in Natchitoches and will be televised on ESPN+.