Four SLC teams are included in Athlon's Preseason Top 25:

7 - Prison Tech
15 - Nicholls
17 - McNeese
24 - UCA

The top three nationally are NDSU (what a surprise), James Madison, and New Hampshire.

That's quite the murderer's row for Conque's chances of success.

The good news is that we'll have Mississippi State, Tarleton, UIW, & ACU to build some momentum if we're going to be successful.

Not optimistic.....

UCA really took a dive. They'll likely be rebuilding this year.

Sam Houston will be replacing a lot of key positions. It will be interesting to see if they can reload and keep the regular season success and post season disappointments going.

McNeese is my pick to win the conference with Nicholls a close second. McNeese is returning argueably the best QB in the SLC in James Tabary and has a very strong running game returning, along with returning most of the best running defense in the FCS. They're loaded very much like a NDSU team with all their power.

Nicholls is just a nasty hard hitting team and they'll be returning enough to be dangerous. Very dangerous.

I'm optimistic about our odds AS LONG AS WE STAY HEALTHY. We will have more depth this year but it's still very hard to replace key players mid way through the season.

I agree with Texan, knock out Tarelton, UIW, and ACU good before McNeese and then ride that momentum into Lake Charles.

Previews of SLC Teams as they come out by HERO

Abilene Christian
https://herosports.com/fcs/football-2018-preseason-preview-abilene-christian-ajaj

Central Arkansas
https://herosports.com/fcs/football-2018-preseason-preview-central-arkansas-ajaj

The two teams to beat for 2018.

(Nicholls)

QB: Chase Fourcade (Nicholls) (Jr.) G:12; 298-163; CMP%:.544; YDS: 2,316; TD: 14; INT: 13; EFF:126.4

RB: Kyran Irvin (Nicholls) (Jr.) G:10; R:147; YDS:764; AVG:5.2; TD:8 (ALL-SLC 2nd Team)
RB: Dontrell Taylor (Nicholls) (Jr.) G:8; R:114; YDS:464; AVG:4.1; TD:4

WR: Damion Jeanpiere (Nicholls) (Sr.) G:12; REC:40; YDS:770; AVG:19.3; TD:4 (ALL-SLC 2nd Team)
WR: Dai'Jean Dixon (Nicholls) (So.) G:11; REC:41; YDS:489; AVG:12.0; TD:4

OL: Ryan Hanley (Nicholls) (Sr.) (ALL-SLC 2nd Team)
OL: Chandler Arceneaux (Nicholls) (Sr.) (ALL-SLC 2nd Team)

DL: Sully Laiche (Nicholls) (Jr.) G:12; SCK:7.5 (ALL-SLC 2nd Team)
DL: Kenny Dotson (Nicholls) (Sr.) G:12; SCK:6.5 (ALL-SLC 2nd Team)

LB: Allen Pittman (Nicholls) G:12; TKL:78; AVG:6.5 (ALL-SLC 2nd Team)

DB: Corey Abraham (Nicholls) G:12; TKL:79; AVG:6.6
DB: Austin Dickerson (Nicholls) (Jr.) G:10; INT:2; RTD:1
DB: Ahmani Martin (Nicholls) (Sr.) G:12; TKL:61; TFL:8.0 (ALL-SLC 2nd Team)

(SHSU)

RB: Remus Bulmer (SHSU) (Sr.) G:14; R:114; YDS:702; AVG:6.2; TD:3

WR: Nathan Stewart (SHSU) (Jr.) G:14; REC:72; YDS:1,648; AVG:23.0; TD:14 (ALL-SLC 1st Team)

WR: Davion Davis (SHSU) (Sr.) G:14; REC:78; YDS:1,206; AVG: 15.4; TD:17 (ALL-SLC 1st Team) POY

OL: Mitchell Watanabe (SHSU) (Sr.) (ALL-SLC 1st Team)
OL: Eric David (SHSU) (Jr.) (ALL-SLC 2nd Team)

DL: Chris Stewart (SHSU) (Jr.) G:14; SCK:12.5 (ALL-SLC 2nd Team)
DL: Derick Roberson (SHSU) (Sr.) G:13; SCK:4.5

LB: Hunter Brown (SHSU) (Sr.) G:14; TKL:100; AVG:7.1

DB: Adrian Contreras (SHSU) G:14; TKL:93; AVG:6.6 (ALL-SLC HM)
DB: Zyon McCollum (SHSU) (So.) G:14; INT:3; RTD:0; PD:17

Got a laugh when I saw this...

Texas Football Magazine's predicted finishes in the SLC:

1. Nicholls
2. Prison Tech
3. McNeese
4. UCA
5. SELA
6. SFA
7. ACU
8. South Alabama
9. Northwestern State
10. HBU
11. UIW

See anything wrong with this picture? The proofreader fell down on the job!

At least we're ahead of them.

nacluth said:

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At least we're ahead of them.

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For now, but I've got them down as a darkhorse to win the conference title.

TallTexan said:

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nacluth said:

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At least we're ahead of them.

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For now, but I've got them down as a darkhorse to win the conference title.

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Vey, very dark...

HBU will go to a spread offense this season. They hired former Texas Tech Assistant QB coach Zach Kittley to install it.

Good call for them. Too many athletes in the Houston area...

SFA receiving votes.

Prairie View plays at Prison Tech this week. Don't be surprised if PVU knocks off the Kitty Kats. They're pretty darned good.

McNeese, now with a new QB, now sits alone at the top of the Southland standings with a 4 way tie for second place between SHSU, Nicholls, UIW, and UCA.

No SLC teams In the top ten.

So as of late, there's a 3 way tie for 1st place and a 4 way tie for second, all separated by a single game. UIW looks like they can legitimately win a conference title, but Lamar isn't out of the race either. And it looks like the SLC may not have a single at large bid. Or doesn't deserve one.

And worth noting, if UIW wins next week against UCA, they clinch the SLC championship and will likely have to cancel their season finale against Iowa state for the playoffs.

We should offer to take their place in the Iowa State game. Not that I'm 100% keen to see our guys get blown out, but an extra 3 or 400k for the budget to hire a new coach would be pretty solid.

Nebraska may also have an opening.

Honestly the guys probably wouldn't be opposed to one more chance to play.

Anyone think UIW will get in?

TallTexan said:

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Anyone think UIW will get in?

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A so-so team in a so-so conference? Not a chance.

I think so, but moreso just because they've never been and this has been a historic season for them. Probably the last one in.

edstile said:

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Nicholls, UIW, and Lamar all get into the playoffs. Unbelievable!!!!!

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Yep, pretty shocking, but speaks to the strength of the SLC.

That Iowa State game might be available for the Jacks.

Think this has any implications on KC Keeler?

TallTexan said:

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edstile said:

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Yep, pretty shocking, but speaks to the strength of the SLC.

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Strength of the SLC? What strength?? Have you started drinking in the mornings again, Texan?!

edstile said:

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TallTexan said:

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Yep, pretty shocking, but speaks to the strength of the SLC.

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Strength of the SLC? What strength?? Have you started drinking in the mornings again, Texan?!

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Only freshly brewed tea, I'll swear it on Nacluth's favorite guitar.