(STATS) – People outside the Southland Conference might be conceding a championship repeat by FCS national power Sam Houston State, but the talent across the conference suggests the title race is worth a second look.
Surprisingly, the Bearkats didn’t have the most selections on the Southland preseason team, which was announced Thursday. That distinction belonged to Central Arkansas with 12 players, one more than Sam Houston’s 11. McNeese and Stephen F. Austin tied for third with eight selections each.
Last season, Sam Houston swept through the Southland with an unbeaten regular season, finishing 12-1 overall. The Bearkats have reached at least the quarterfinals in five of their six straight FCS playoff appearances.