"(SLC Commissioner Chris)Grant would not comment on rumors that Central Arkansas, which left last summer for the Atlantic Sun, might also be looking to make a return to the SLC.

“I will say we are going to be aggressive in trying to get recruit schools that fit our league’s profile and footprint,” said Grant. “We will listen and talk to those teams and keep in mind what we are trying to do.”

https://www.americanpress.com/2022/06/24...onference/

This is the first I've heard any kind of report of UCA and a possible return to the Southland.

Link not working for me.

(06-24-2022 03:04 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  Link not working for me.

Fixed

This is the first time I've heard about this "rumor"...

Too bad UL-Monroe won't rejoin their peers in the SLC and free up a spot for LaTech in the Sun Belt.

I understand why not, but ULM fits the I-AA profile in every way

(06-24-2022 02:59 PM)RamblinRedWolf Wrote:  "(SLC Commissioner Chris)Grant would not comment on rumors that Central Arkansas, which left last summer for the Atlantic Sun, might also be looking to make a return to the SLC.

“I will say we are going to be aggressive in trying to get recruit schools that fit our league’s profile and footprint,” said Grant. “We will listen and talk to those teams and keep in mind what we are trying to do.”

That statement makes me this Arkansas is not considered in footprint.

Central Arkansas returning would surprise me.

Said it before, they are more aligned with the schools in the ASUN - many of whom they shared time with in the D2 Gulf South Conference

Would shock me to see them return under the current scenario; there certainly have been some changes to better the Southland but many of the reasons they left remain.

(06-24-2022 04:07 PM)PeteTheChop Wrote:  Too bad UL-Monroe won't rejoin their peers in the SLC and free up a spot for LaTech in the Sun Belt.

I understand why not, but ULM fits the I-AA profile in every way

In a hypothetical where one Sun Belt team (east or west) were to leave, that first call is going to Western Kentucky. I’m not unhappy with the new makeup of the Sun Belt, but I do miss having WKU as a conference mate. Of all teams that left the Sun Belt, they’re the only ones that I miss. I used to miss MTSU a bit but those feelings have ebbed in the last several seasons.

(06-24-2022 04:50 PM)SkullyMaroo Wrote:  In a hypothetical where one Sun Belt team (east or west) were to leave ...

Not inconceivable that (Southwest) Texas State could get an MWC invite at some point

First off we haven't been SWT for almost 20 years, you're safe leaving off the Southwest part.

2nd, why would the MWC want us? I don't see the PAC adding anymore teams and if the Big 12 does it would probably be Memphis and SMU

(06-24-2022 05:29 PM)Bobcat2013 Wrote:  2nd, why would the MWC want us? I don't see the PAC adding anymore teams and if the Big 12 does it would probably be Memphis and SMU

If the Mountain West were to get hit hard should the Big XII be forced to backfill (yet again), there won't be many replacements available unless some of the strongest Big Sky schools are willing to make that leap.

But feel free to dismiss STSU's chances if you like.

Good luck to the Bobcats this season

TSU is Texas Southern. My overall point was that the MWC most likely wont need to backfill. We'll see though

(06-24-2022 06:25 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  Geographically speaking---- how about UCA to the OVC???

Nearby:

UT-Martin-- 4.5hrs

Lindenwood-- 5.5hrs

SEMO--4.5hrs

Little Rock (non-FB)- 30 min.

SIUE (non-FB)- 5.5hrs

Tenn. St.--5.5hr

TTU-- 6.5hrs

EIU-- 7hrs

Southern Indiana and Morehead St.

That would give the OVC SEVEN FB members-- one over the needed FCS minimum of six.

Bet OVC would say yes!

(06-24-2022 06:52 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  

(06-24-2022 06:25 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  Geographically speaking---- how about UCA to the OVC???

Nearby:

UT-Martin-- 4.5hrs

Lindenwood-- 5.5hrs

SEMO--4.5hrs

Little Rock (non-FB)- 30 min.

SIUE (non-FB)- 5.5hrs

Tenn. St.--5.5hr

TTU-- 6.5hrs

EIU-- 7hrs

Southern Indiana and Morehead St.

That would give the OVC SEVEN FB members-- one over the needed FCS minimum of six.

Bet OVC would say yes!

I thought this initially when the SLC turmoil started (and especially when Little Rock joined the league) but I don’t think they’ll join with both EKU and Austin Peay out

(06-24-2022 06:52 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  

(06-24-2022 06:25 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  Geographically speaking---- how about UCA to the OVC???

Nearby:

UT-Martin-- 4.5hrs

Lindenwood-- 5.5hrs

SEMO--4.5hrs

Little Rock (non-FB)- 30 min.

SIUE (non-FB)- 5.5hrs

Tenn. St.--5.5hr

TTU-- 6.5hrs

EIU-- 7hrs

Southern Indiana and Morehead St.

That would give the OVC SEVEN FB members-- one over the needed FCS minimum of six.

Bet OVC would say yes!

It makes a heck of a lot more sense than the ASUN.

Unfortunately the ASUN and WAC had grand plans for FCS football but actions outside of their control in FBS derailed them.

It makes the most sense for the Southland, OVC, and Big Sky to absorb those football programs.

I'm sure the ovc and slc commishes want uca. They're a great addition to a southeast fcs conference. Then showing interest and not ruling it out makes sense. That doesn't mean uca is interested.

And I really hope they aren't because them leaving might kill ASUN football if we still have a pulse going at all.

(06-24-2022 05:29 PM)Bobcat2013 Wrote:  First off we haven't been SWT for almost 20 years, you're safe leaving off the Southwest part.

2nd, why would the MWC want us? I don't see the PAC adding anymore teams and if the Big 12 does it would probably be Memphis and SMU

^^^
This.

I've thought highly of Texas State and its long-term prospects since before it joined the WAC, but it's hard to envision a realistic scenario where the MWC comes calling. Even in the unlikely event the Big 12 were to poach an MWC school to pair with BYU, the conference would probably respond by standing pat or adding UTEP.

(06-24-2022 04:47 PM)TexasTerror Wrote:  Central Arkansas returning would surprise me.

Said it before, they are more aligned with the schools in the ASUN - many of whom they shared time with in the D2 Gulf South Conference

Would shock me to see them return under the current scenario; there certainly have been some changes to better the Southland but many of the reasons they left remain.

they shared time in the Gulf South with all of 1 current ASUN member, North Alabama. Jacksonville State is the only other current ASUN school that was previously in the Gulf South.

(06-24-2022 06:14 PM)Bobcat2013 Wrote:  TSU is Texas Southern. My overall point was that the MWC most likely wont need to backfill. We'll see though

I thought Texas Southern was TxSo, kind of like how we do Georgia Southern--GaSo.

(06-26-2022 06:08 PM)DawgNBama Wrote:  

(06-24-2022 06:14 PM)Bobcat2013 Wrote:  TSU is Texas Southern. My overall point was that the MWC most likely wont need to backfill. We'll see though

I thought Texas Southern was TxSo, kind of like how we do Georgia Southern--GaSo.

I think I have seen "TXSO" on ESPN scoreboards and such but their actual helmet logo has TSU on it stylized Texas A&M style so it looks like "sTu".