(Photo by Bob White)

DALLAS -- Southern Methodist has won the last two Lone Star Alliance Division I championships and have been chosen as the favorite for a three-peat in the preseason coaches poll.

The Mustangs (11-6) shrugged off a slow start to the 2017 season by finishing the regular season on a six-game tear, including an LSA championship.

"We graduated a really talented group last year," said SMU coach Karl Lynch. "The core guys coming back are excited about the upcoming season and our tough schedule. They also realize that the LSA is getting better and better every year and that they need to improve to win the top spot in our conference."

Similar to the last two years, SMU will have to get past a talented field if they want another crack at the MCLA National Championships powered by Under Armour. Texas (12-3), Texas State (6-4) and Oklahoma (12-3) fill out the top four of the 11-team conference and will be vying for the nationals bid.

Lone Star Alliance Division I Preseason Coaches Poll