(08-30-2017 09:42 PM)chargeradio Wrote:  I wonder if Newman would go the MIAA - Wichita, Kansas is near the center of the conference's footprint.

Division II football will always be a tenuous existence, but I don't see any departures to the Southland other than the possibility of the Kingsville/Corpus Christi merger in the A&M system, and that will certainly not be the priority it once was given the events of the past week. If the Southland loses anyone, they'll probably just sit tight as long as they're above nine members; the conference over expanded last time, and has paid the price for it ever since. The Southland also has UTRGV in their backyard, who of course is already Division I. There's also that off possibility that Little Rock or Texas-Arlington could head their way should something happen in the Sun Belt.

If the Lonestar needed a football member, New Mexico Highlands actually is in the footprint. RMAC has 10 for football and 16 overall members starting in 2018, so no need for them to replace New Mexico Highlands.

Although the official stance of the MIAA is that no fb school would be accepted, the MIAA has made exceptions. The GLVC could be a fallback option.

Rumor is on the d2 board is that several Heartland schools will start fb. No idea who they are, but Cameron has in the past had interest. UT-Tyler is interested in starting fb if they get enough financial support, but they are in neither conference now.

SHSU and Lamar have made noise about FBS in the past. The WAC would nearly instantly accept them and SF Austin as they will need a home. Texas schools need fb especially FBS to be on the map and SHSU and Lamar seem to be driving that way, but it won't be easy. If those three are gone and the LA schools consolidate, it could be messy for the Southland.

Tarleton St, A&M Commerce, Angelo St and W Texas A&M have had DI studies or talk in the past.