WACO, Texas – The American Football Coaches Association released its weekly top 25 national rankings on Wednesday with the Ouachita Baptist University Tigers moving up four spots to No. 20 heading into Thursday night's season opener.

Ouachita debuted at No. 24 in the AFCA preseason poll before this week's jump. The Tigers have now been nationally ranked by the AFCA in 80 of the last 90 polls, reaching as high as No. 3 on two different occasions, once in 2022 and again in 2024.  

No. 2 Harding is the only other Great American Conference team be ranked in this week's poll. Southern Arkansas is receiving votes this week.

All 12 GAC teams open the 2026 season this Thursday night. Ouachita plays host to East Central for a 7 p.m. kickoff at Cliff Harris Stadium. Click here for game notes.