The OVC-Big South Association released its preseason poll on Wednesday. The Lindenwood football team earned 39 points and was picked to finish fourth, as voted on by the leagues head coaches.
Tennessee Tech was tabbed as Association favorites, receiving 57 points and five first-place votes. Coming in just behind them was UT Martin who garnered a total of 56 points and two nods for the top spot. SEMO also picked up a pair of first-place votes and earned 53 points and grabbed the third spot. Western Illinois slotted in just behind Lindenwood with 30 points, while Eastern Illinois and Gardner-Webb tied for sixth with 24 points. Rounding out the poll was Tennessee State in eighth and Charleston Southern in ninth.
Earlier in the day,
Steve Hall was tabbed the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, while multiple student-athletes from the squad were tabbed as players to watch for the upcoming season.
Lindenwood will open the season on Thursday, August 28 in a return trip to St. Paul, Minn, taking on the Tommies of St. Thomas. Last season, Lindenwood defeated St. Thomas 64-0 in St. Charles.
On September 6, the Lions head to Boone, N.C. for a matchup with FBS opponent Appalachian State. The Mountaineers compete in the Sun Belt Conference and have been one of the most successful FBS team in the last decade. App State posted a record of 5-6 last season.
The Lions open OVC-Big South play the following week in a road contest with Charleston Southern. Lindenwood defeated the Buccaneers 29-14 at home a season ago.
After three weeks on the road, Lindenwood finally returns home for a non-conference matchup against Stony Brook on September 20. This will be the first meeting between the two schools in program history. Last season, the Seawolves finished with an 8-4 record and were ranked as high as No. 18 in the AFCA Polls.
Lindenwood will face another FBS opponent on September 27, traveling to Oxford, Ohio to take on Miam (Ohio). In 2024, the Redhawks posted a record of 9-5, which included a bowl victory.
The Black and Gold will have three-straight home games after the matchup with the Redhawks. UT Martin will visit St. Charles on October 4, and after a bye week, Lindenwood welcomes Tennessee Tech on October 18. The Lions conclude the homestand in a contest with Gardner-Webb on October 25.
The Lions hit the road for two-consecutive games, facing Tennessee State on November 1, before heading to Macomb, Ill. to take on the Leathernecks on November 8.
Lindenwood's home slate will conclude with a game against Eastern Illinois on November 15. The Lions will close out the season with a matchup at Southeast Missouri State for the fourth annual Game Ball Brawl. Last season, Lindenwood defeated the then No. 6 Redhawks for the first time in program history.
2025 OVC-Big South Predicted Order of Finish
1. Tennessee Tech (5 first-place votes)             57 points
2. UT Martin (2)                                               56
3. Southeast Missouri (2)                                 53
4. Lindenwood                                                 39
5. Western Illinois                                            30
6. Eastern Illinois                                             24
    Gardner-Webb                                            24
8. Tennessee State                                          23
9. Charleston Southern                                    18
