The Aggies step into their first full season as members of the Lone Star Conference in 2016.
And they will begin the season knowing they will have to make some noise on the field to get the attention of their new conference rivals.
OPSU was tied for eighth with Western New Mexico in the LSC preseason football poll, as voted on by coaches, sports information directors and media representatives.
Texas A&M-Commerce, last year’s regular season champion, was the league’s preseason favorite, followed by Midwestern State, which won the LSC Playoff. Both advanced to the Division II playoffs.
OPSU is not the only newcomer to the Lone Star Conference. Western New Mexico and Texas-Permian Basin are also in their first years in the conference. UTPB is beginning its first football season this year and was picked to finish last in the league.
The Aggies begin their season against FCS opponent Sam Houston State in Huntsville, Texas, on Saturday, Sept. 3.
2016 LSC Football Preseason Poll
| Rank | School | Points (First-Place Votes) |
| 1. | Texas A&M-Commerce | 269 (19) |
| 2. | Midwestern State | 254 (8) |
| 3. | Angelo State | 211 |
| 4. | West Texas A&M | 182 |
| 5. | Eastern New Mexico | 181 |
| 6. | Texas A&M-Kingsville | 141 |
| 7. | Tarleton State | 121 |
| T-8. | Oklahoma Panhandle | 66 |
| T-8. | Western New Mexico | 66 |
| 10. | Texas Permian-Basin | 49 |