MONMOUTH, Ore. --- The Western Oregon football team will enter 2026 on the national radar from day one as the Wolves were ranked in both the American Football Coaches Association and D2Football.com polls released Tuesday.

WOU came in at No. 14 in the D2Football.com poll and No. 22 in the AFCA rankings.

The Wolves, who were picked second in the Lone Star Conference preseason poll, were joined by Central Washington (No. 7 AFCA, No. 9 D2Football.com) and UT Permian Basin (No. 18 AFCA and D2Football.com) out of the LSC.

WOU is coming off an 8-3 season in 2025, narrowly missing a LSC title and spot in the NCAA Championships.

The Wolves open the season Aug. 29 at Colorado School of Mines.