D3football.com Top 25, 2023 Preseason
 
RICHARDSON, Texas – Mary Hardin-Baylor, Hardin-Simmons, and Howard Payne lead a trio from the American Southwest Conference in the D3football.com Top 25, 2023 preseason poll that was announced on Monday (July 31).
 
UMHB highlights the group with a No. 3 ranking and 553 points. Hardin-Simmons follows within the top 10 at No. 8 with 397 points. Howard Payne is receiving votes with six.
 
The Cru is coming off a 12-2 record in the 2022 season where they won the 18th ASC title and finished in the NCAA Semifinals for the fifth time in program history.
 
The Cowboys posted a 9-2 record in 2022, which included a 7-1 conference record and gave the league two NCAA Tournament teams after earning an at-large bid.
 
The Yellow Jackets notched a 7-3 overall record with a 6-2 mark in league play in 2022. This included close setbacks against nationally ranked Hardin-Simmons and Mary Hardin-Baylor late in the campaign.
 
Hardin-Simmons kicks off the 2023 season on September 1, while Mary Hardin-Baylor and Howard Payne will play on Sept. 2. Complete ASC fall schedules for the football season and upcoming preview will be available in the coming weeks.