THE RFC MYC: Lone Star Conference (LSC)-(NCAA Division II)

Lone Star Conference (LSC)-(NCAA Division II)

Overview: The 2019 football season in the Lone Star Conference (LSC) produced multiple surprises, with one team finishing the regular season undefeated, only to be shocked in the first round of the playoffs, another team making an unlikely trip to the quarterfinals, two teams missing out on postseason play despite finishing in a tie for third place, and yet another tasting postseason victory despite an up-and-down season.

The first case-in-point was the Tarleton State University Texans. In their final season as an NCAA Division II member, the Texans finished the regular season unbeaten at 11-0 but were upset by Texas A&M-Commerce 23-16 in the first round on November 23. Tarleton State, who's now in transition to the NCAA Division I FCS level, saw its 2019 campaign come to a sad, stunning close at 11-1 overall after the loss to the Lions.

Speaking of the Lions, they continued their unlikely run through the D-II playoffs with another upset win the following weekend, as they knocked off another previously undefeated team in the Colorado School of Mines in the second round, 23-3, on November 30. TAMUC's season ended one week later, as eventual national runner-up Minnesota State-Mankato cruised to a 42-21 win in the quarterfinals, to end the Lions season at 10-3 overall.

Two other teams found themselves on the outside looking in when postseason play arrived, as Angelo State and West Texas A&M both finished their 2019 campaigns at 8-3 overall, and 5-3 in the LSC, respectively. However, the Rams season ended with back-to-back losses after an 8-1 start, while the Buffaloes wrapped up their season with back-to-back wins after starting 6-3. Still, it wasn't enough for either squad to land a place in the postseason, with teams being snubbed.

One team, though, did find their way into a bowl game, despite finished having a mediocre season at .500 in LSC action. The Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds were that team, as they finished 4-4 in conference play en route to accepting a berth in the Heritage Bowl. The Greyhounds held off Southern Arkansas 20-13 to finish their season at 8-4 overall.

Like most conferences at the D-II level, the LSC didn't have an official season in 2020-21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As the 2021 season starts, the entire league will look to bounce back in a big way, with Texas A&M-Commerce being the almost overwhelming favorite to take home the title.

2019 Lone Star Conference (LSC) Football Final Standings

2021 Schedules (Teams listed in alphabetical order, click the links below to access to find the schedules)

NOTE: If the link to the team's schedule is not highlighted, it means that the team has not submitted its schedule for the 2021 season. When the team's schedule is submitted, the link (s) will appear in each blog post. Also, please visit the RFC blog at realfootballcentral.blogspot.com for schedules, schedule updates, preseason previews, and much more.

Angelo State

Eastern New Mexico

Midwestern State

Texas A&M-Commerce

Texas A&M-Kingsville

UT-Permian Basin

West Texas A&M

Western New Mexico

Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.