RFC Summer Semester--Southland Conference (SLC) Preview (FCS)

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2011 Final Standings
 
Looking back: Sam Houston State (14-1 overall in 2011) made a remarkable run to the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) title game in Frisco, Texas last January, only to fall to North Dakota State. 17-6.  Central Arkansas was the only other SLC squad to advance to postseason play last year, as the Bears defeated Tennessee Tech, 34-14, for their first-ever FCS playoff victory, before being eliminated by Montana in the second round, 41-14. 


Looking ahead: Can the Bearkats not only make another deep playoff run, but also win it all, in 2012?  Or will the Bears from UCA have something to say about who even wins the SLC crown, let alone the national championship, come January 2013?  Or will another team mount a serious challenge this fall?  One--or maybe none--of those questions will soon be answered in the coming months.

2012 Predicted Order of Finish (2011 overall record in parentheses)

1. Sam Houston State (14-1):  With the bitter taste of that national championship game loss still fresh in their mouths, the Bearkats hope to use it as motivation for a potential postseason run in 2012.  They must travel to Waco, Texas to face BCS Big 12 Conference foe Baylor, before beginning defense of their Southland Conference title at Central Arkansas the following week.

2. Central Arkansas (9-4):  The Bears hope to build on their 2011 FCS playoff appearance.  Probably won't be an easy task, though.

3. Stephen F. Austin (6-5):  The Lumberjacks overcame a 1-5 start to finish 2011 with five straight wins.  Hopefully, those winning ways will continue in 2012.  


4. McNeese State (6-5):  The Cowboys were very "Jekyll and Hyde" in 2011, losing their season opener to Kansas, followed by three straight wins, four straight losses, before ending their season with three more wins in a row.  It'll be interesting to see if they can maintain some consistency in 2012.


5. Northwestern State (5-6):  The Demons return 20 starters from a squad that ended the 2011 season on a three-game losing streak.


6. Lamar (4-7):  The Cardinals hope to improve on last year's 2-5 mark in SLC play.


7. Southeastern Louisiana (3-8):  The Lions look to start over under new head coach Ron Roberts.


8.  Nicholls State (1-10):  The Colonels will try to snap a 10-game losing streak going into the 2012 season.