SE Louisiana enters as a Southland co-favorite with a playoff pedigree. UL Monroe is still hunting its first winning season since 2012. Something's got to give in Malone Stadium.
Bush’s Picks
SELAULM
SELAULM
OverUnder
Best BetUL Monroe
ULM still gets the nod on pure classification and depth, even with a rough recent history — these Sun Belt-over-Southland spots usually break to the FBS side more often than not. That said, the price shouldn't be treated as a formality given how far off the Warhawks' offense was a season ago. Lean Monroe, but don't expect a laugher.
SE Louisiana
+9-4 in 2025 with an FCS playoff berth
+Co-favorite to win the Southland in 2026
+Lowe totaled 452 rush yards, 5 TDs last year
−FCS talent/depth gap vs an FBS roster
−Analysts say Lowe unproven as full-time starter
−Only 5 significant defensive starters return
UL Monroe
+FBS talent and depth edge at home
+Flemmings returns after 80 tackles, 3.5 sacks
+Started 3-1 last season before fading
−Projected 4-8 in 2026 by preseason preview
−Just 16.6 points, 323 yards per game in 2025
−0-14 when allowing 190+ rush yards last year
This is ULM's first home game of the season, and it doubles as a gut check for a program trying to prove last year's promising 3-1 start wasn't a fluke before things fell apart. Aidan Armenta returns at quarterback after throwing for 1,629 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2025, but he's got to tighten up the accuracy on an offense that managed only 16.6 points per game a year ago. Across the field, SE Louisiana brings a dual-threat problem in Kyle Lowe, who piled up 452 rushing yards and 5 rushing touchdowns to go with his passing numbers last season.
The Lions aren't just an FCS name on the schedule. They went 9-4, made the FCS playoffs, and are tabbed as a co-favorite to win the Southland Conference in 2026 alongside Stephen F. Austin. Head coach Frank Scelfo brings back 11 significant offensive contributors, including running back Deantre Jackson, who racked up 586 yards and 7 touchdowns on the ground last fall. That's a lot of continuity walking into a building where ULM is still replacing pieces on the defensive line.
Show fees
3:30 PM CT
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SELA SE Louisiana
ULM UL Monroe
ULM's calling card on defense is linebacker Noah Flemmings, who led the team with 80 tackles and 3.5 sacks and gives Bryant Vincent's group a stable anchor. The bigger concern is stopping the run — the Warhawks went winless last season any time they allowed more than 190 rushing yards, and Lowe's legs are exactly the kind of matchup that can expose that.
Vincent is in year 3 of a rebuild that's produced an 8-16 record so far, and a home date against a well-built FCS outfit isn't the get-right spot it might look like on paper. For SE Louisiana, it's a chance to bank a quality nonconference result before Southland play ramps up and the real championship push begins.
SE Louisiana Lions
Sep 5?@ South Alabama—
UL Monroe Warhawks
Sep 12?@ UAB—
Sep 5?@ Mississippi State—
Recent form.
Both staffs know what's at stake here in different ways. ULM needs any kind of signal that the offensive jump Vincent has promised is actually coming, while SE Louisiana wants to show it can handle an FBS-caliber roster physically before conference play decides its playoff fate. Neither team can afford to look sloppy in front of their own fan bases this early.
