- AFCA Division II Preseason Coaches Poll

CANYON, Texas – The Buffaloes find their way into the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II Preseason Coaches' Poll as WT is receiving votes prior to the start of the 2026 campaign.
 
The Buffs made an appearance in the program's seventh bowl game in 2025 as they defeated Arkansas Tech in the Heritage Bowl Powered by Riot. WT finished the season riding a four-game win streak with an 8-4 overall record. Josh Lynn guided the Buffs to the most victories in a season since 2021 as well as the most LSC wins since 2012.
 
Reigning National Champion Ferris State picked up all 31 first place votes for a unanimous total of 775 points atop of the poll followed by Harding, Kutztown, Pittsburg State, CSU Pueblo, Central Washington, Northwest Missouri State, Grand Valley State and UIndy to round out the top ten.
 
NCAA Division II football uses four super regions for its postseason alignment. The 2026 season features a 32-team playoff format (expanding from 28 teams), utilizing the formula-driven NCAA Power Index (NPI) for team selections instead of regional advisory committees. Super Region 4 consists of four conferences: the Great American Conference (GAC), the Lone Star Conference (LSC), the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) and the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC).
 
The Buffs open their 2026 campaign on Thursday, August 27^th as they welcome the 11^th ranked Mountaineers of Western Colorado to Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium in Canyon with kickoff set for 7:00 p.m.