RFC Summer Semester--Southland Conference (FCS)

Looking back: Stephen F. Austin emerged as the top team in the Southland Conference, after finishing the regular season at 9-2 overall, and 6-1 in conference games.  In the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs, the Lumberjacks were ousted in the first round, as Villanova cruised to an easy 54-24 win.


Looking ahead: Texas State (4-7 in 2010) will compete as an independent in 2011, as the Bobcats prepare to make the move to the Western Athletic Conference, and the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, in 2012.  Also, Lamar returns to the SLC as a full member in 2011.

One more thing, if the preseason polls taken by both the coaches and media, respectively, are any indication, expect another tight race in the Southland Conference this season.

Website: http://www.southland.org/


Predicted order of finish (2010 overall record in parentheses)

1. Stephen F. Austin (9-3):  The Lumberjacks will return 25 letterwinners on offense, but only nine of them are starters.

2. McNeese State (6-5):  The Cowboys hope to add another SLC title to their trophy after finishing second at 5-2 last season.


3. Sam Houston State (6-5):  Bearkats look to improve after winning back-to-back games to end 2010.


4. Northwestern State (5-6):  On the flip side, the Demons ended the 2010 campaign with back-to-back losses.


5. Central Arkansas (7-4):  Bears face a tough road to the SLC title in 2011, as they'll play host to Stephen F. Austin and McNeese State at home.


6. Nicholls (4-7):  The Colonels have two teams from the non- AQ BCS side of the FBS on their schedule in 2011: Western Michigan from the Mid-American Conference, and Louisiana-Lafayette from the Sun Belt Conference.


7. Southeastern Louisiana (2-9):  Lions also face a stiff challenge, after finishing 1-6 in SLC games a year ago.


8. Lamar (5-6):  Cardinals have a tough row to hoe in their return to the SLC fold.