The Northern Arizona University (NAU) football team has been ranked fourth in the Big Sky Conference Preseason Coaches Poll and fifth in the Media Poll for the 2026 season. Following a 7-5 season in 2025, expectations are high as NAU aims for an FCS Playoff berth. Montana State, the defending FCS champion, leads both polls, with NAU set to face them in a nationally televised game on September 26. This marks the Lumberjacks' second consecutive year of high preseason expectations, following back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in a decade.

By the Numbers
  • NAU finished the 2025 season with a record of 7-5 and 4-4 in conference play.
  • Montana State received 11 of 13 first-place votes from coaches and 35 of 38 from the media.
State of Play
  • NAU is positioned to contend for an FCS Playoff spot in a competitive Big Sky Conference.
  • The Lumberjacks are coming off their best two-year performance since the 2013-14 season.
What's Next

NAU kicks off its 2026 season on August 29 against Eastern Washington and will seek to leverage its strong roster, including standout quarterback Ty Pennington, to achieve playoff aspirations.

Bottom Line

Expectations are solid for NAU as they aim to build on recent success, with a critical season opener against a prominent rival potentially setting the tone for their playoff hopes.