Rocked by realignment, Southland hopes for steadier journey moving forward

Few conferences can match what the Southland Conference has experienced the past few seasons on the college football realignment front. 

Whether or not there would even be a conference was a discussion two years ago. Those questions were laid to rest last July when Lamar returned from the WAC, and UIW decided against moving to the WAC.

The Southland is now eight members strong and owns a clean-cut new logo as part of a rebranding in March. The conference has also found success on the field. Southeastern Louisiana and UIW split the Southland title last year, with the Lions earning the conference’s automatic bid to the FCS playoffs.

The Lions defeated No. 18 Idaho in the opening round before losing at No. 8 Stamford. UIW earned an at-large berth and made a magical run to the national semifinals behind the play of quarterback Lindsey Scott Jr. and linebacker Kelechi Anyalebechi. 

The theme of change remained prevalent for the conference during the offseason, with four teams naming new coaches.

Southeastern Louisiana is the favorite to win the conference again this year. The Lions have been a thorn in the side of UIW since the Cardinals entered the Southland in 2013 and broke a four-game losing streak to UIW with a 41-35 victory last year. The Lions should be solid again this year and expect quarterback Eli Sawyer to return after splitting time with Cephus Johnson III last season.

Hot on the Lions’ heels is the University of Incarnate Word. UIW lost a lot of talent from last season’s roster, including wide receivers Darion Chafin and Taylor Grimes. But don’t sleep on the Cardinals in 2023. Clint Killough takes over for G.J. Kinne, who took over at Texas State. The 29-year-old Killough is the third consecutive young head coach to lead the Cardinals, with the previous two coaches now head coaches at FBS programs.

The Demons of Northwestern State finished the 2022 season with their highest finish in the Southland conference since a second-place finish in 2004. NSU was in the fight for the regular season title until they suffered losses to SLU and UIW to end the season. The Demons could threaten again this year but will need more production from an offense that averaged 381.7 yards per game. Limiting turnovers will also be crucial for a team that gave away 27 possessions last year.

Nicholls played a demanding schedule in 2022, which resulted in the Colonels first losing record since 2016. If Nicholls fans thought 2022 was difficult, don’t allow them to look at the Colonels brutal 2023 schedule. Nicholls opens the season at home against Sacramento State, followed by road games at TCU and Tulane. The Colonels open up conference play the following week at rival McNeese.

Few teams have dealt with more tragedy than McNeese. The Cowboys hope that 2023 brings a return to normalcy and a winning record in Gary Goff’s second season at the helm. The Cowboys were able to run the ball last year, but turnovers and a less-than-stellar passing attack led to losses in seven of their first eight games. However, McNeese won its final three games and is a team to watch this year.

The three teams predicted toward the bottom of the conference have one thing in common — a new head coach. Former two-time Arena Bowl champion coach Clint Dolezel took over at Texas A&M-Commerce and will bring an offense that can score points. The Lions retained most of their defensive staff from last year and could surprise some people this season.

Braxton Harris is the new head coach at the newly rebranded Houston Christian. The artist formerly known as Houston Baptist hired a talented young coach that could have the Huskies competing in the Southland soon, especially after signing what many consider the best recruiting class in the conference this year.

Lamar made a change at head coach after managing to win a mere five games in the previous three seasons. The Cardinals roster is talented beyond what the record indicates, and it’s now Peter Rossomando’s job to turn that talent into wins.

Top 5 Players

WR Brandon Porter, UIW - Porter returns to UIW for one final year and is expected to shine after finishing third on the team last year with 601 receiving yards.

LB Rodney Dansby, HCU - The Houston Bellaire product bought into new coach Braxton Harris’ vision and is expected to lead the HCU defense again this season.

S Kevin Anderson, Lamar - Cardinals coach Peter Rossomando said that Anderson is “everything I told the coaching staff we wanted in a transfer.” That’s high praise.

WR Cameron Nellor, Texas A&M-Commerce - The transfer from Trinity Valley is a Swiss Army Knife who can play tight end, in the slot, and out wide.

LB Eli Ennis, Nicholls - The Jerry Rice Award Finalist and Southland Freshman of the Year should continue terrorizing opposing offenses during his sophomore campaign.

PREDICTIONS

1. Southeastern Louisiana

2. Incarnate Word

3. Northwestern State

4. Nicholls

5. McNeese

6. Texas A&M-Commerce

7. Houston Christian

8. Lamar