LAKE CHARLES – Four games against teams that participated in the FCS playoffs and a visit to LSU highlights McNeese's 2026 football schedule.
 
The Cowboys will play a 12-game schedule with six of those at home, including the first three of the season beginning on August 29 against defending Southland Conference champion Stephen F. Austin.
 
Following a Sept. 5 visit from Texas Wesleyan, McNeese will host United Athletic Conference champion and FCS quarterfinalist Tarleton State.
 
McNeese will play at LSU on October 3 before a bye week.
 
Other conference home games include East Texas A&M (Sept. 26), Nicholls (Oct. 31), and Lamar (Nov. 21). Visits will be to UTRGV for the first time on Sept. 19, Northwestern State (Oct. 17), UIW (Oct. 24), HCU (Nov. 7), and Southeastern (Nov. 14).
 
Three teams from the Southland qualified for the FCS playoffs this past season. SFA won the automatic bid by capturing the league title. The Lumberjacks defeated Abilene Christian in the second round before falling to eventual national champion Montana State in the quarterfinals. Lamar and Southeastern each lost their first round games.
 
The league will play a nine-game schedule this season, meaning every team will be played.
 
Under the direction of McNeese Hall of Fame head coach Matt Viator, who returned to the sideline after 10 years, the Cowboys posted a 5-7 record in 2025 and won three of its last four games. McNeese finished 4-4 in conference play and finished .500 for the first time since the 2019 season.
 
2026 McNeese Football Schedule
Aug. 29 vs. Stephen F. Austin*
Sept. 5 vs. Texas Wesleyan
Sept. 12 vs. Tarleton State
Sept. 19 at UTRGV*
Sept. 26 vs. East Texas A&M*
Oct. 3 at LSU
Oct. 10 BYE
Oct. 17 at Northwestern State*
Oct. 24 at UIW*
Oct. 31 vs. Nicholls*
Nov. 7 at HCU*
Nov. 14 at Southeastern*
Nov. 21 vs. Lamar*