Southland Opening Drive Football Media Day Takeaways

The Southland Conference was the only conference that reached out about a month before its Opening Drive Media Day, and said I’d have a credential if I could make it to Houston on July 21st. Unfortunately, due to some personal matters, I was unable to make it. However, I tuned in virtually and being impressed is an understatement. Here are my takeaways.

Photo Credit: Lamar Football (X.com)

The format of the broadcast is one aspect that impressed me the most. It truly felt like an FBS conference media day. There was never a dull moment with the TV desk hosted by Austyn Iven, Patrick Netherton, and Jim Gazzolo, that hosted all the head coaches, Commissioner Chris Grant, and other guests. After the coaches spoke at the desk, the broadcast bounced it over to Jaeda Rael, who spoke with the two players of each school. Once those interviews were over, the players and head coaches were seen on the stage to answer the questions that the moderator and media members asked in a live Q&A session.

One unique aspect of the day was that two various segments included five of the head coaches in a panel style interview session. We even got to see a little banter between the coaches about whether Texas or Louisiana has better high school football (we’re going to stay out of this one). Even before the event started, the conference requested for people on social media to add their questions for the day.

If there was a question, it was asked at the SLC Opening Drive and answered. It truly felt like I didn’t miss anything and that I was there. Now let’s get to the content of the day. 

The coaches and players impressed me. This league impressed me. Not only is it one of the best geographical footprints of any FCS conference, it’s also competitive. Last season, it was considered to be the fourth best conference - and could argue third best after getting three teams in the playoffs, the third-most of any conference behind the Missouri Valley Football Conference and the Big Sky. 

I expect the same this year. I fully expect to see three teams in the FCS Playoffs this season, and the coaches do too. The coaches are now talking about getting deeper into the playoffs. Especially from Southeastern Louisiana head coach, Frank Scelfo, and Stephen F. Austin head coach, Colby Carthel. They emphasized making deeper runs in the playoffs for their teams and for the league as a whole. 

Photo Credit: Southeastern Louisiana Football (X.com)

Coach Carthel also stated the importance of getting a degree. He mentioned that no matter what is happening in college football today, that the purpose of collegiate athletics is to shape these student-athletes for the future beyond football.

Even the players understand the grind of this conference, as East Texas A&M running back, EJ Oakman, explained that every Saturday in this conference is a playoff game. His head coach, Clint Dolezel, was confident that no team in this league will go undefeated and that the conference will have some chaos throughout the year. Don’t call me crazy, but I could really see the Lions going toe-to-toe with SoCon preseason favorite, Mercer, in the FCS Kickoff on ESPN to open the season in Week 0.

With nine conference games this season, every team will play each other. It’s how a conference should be with 10 teams or less. We will crown a true champion. The key to the Southland’s success is how each team will fare in the non-conference slate. Along with East Texas A&M kicking off the season on the national stage against a fringe Top 25 team, there are many high quality non-conference games in 2026, just ask Lamar and Stephen F. Austin.

The Cardinals open the season hosting Abilene Christian on August 29th, then take a trip to the Kibbie Dome to face Idaho on September 12th with an FBS matchup at Louisiana sandwiched in between the two on September 5th. That out-of conference schedule alone puts them in the conversation to play on that final weekend in November.

Along with Lamar and Idaho on September 12, there are many other playoff-type matchups that day. Incarnate Word goes to the J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome to take on a near-playoff team in Northern Arizona, McNeese hosts Tarleton State and Stephen F. Austin travels to Abilene Christian as well. The Lumberjacks take on SWAC Champions and near HBCU Champions, Prairie View A&M in Prairie View a week later on September 19th. These games will be key for the amount of teams that the Southland will get in the FCS Playoffs and for seeding. 

All-in-all, I’m excited to see this conference compete between each other and against a tough out-of-conference slate. My only fear is that this conference, as one coach put it, will "SEC themselves" and beat each other up and knock themselves out of playoff contention.

If you didn’t tune into the Southland Opening Drive, you missed a great display of conference pedigree, coaches and players that enjoyed the moment, who didn’t shy away from any question and really promoted how good their league is expected to be this season. I feel honored and truly appreciate them extending an invite to FCS Untapped. If you’re a fan of the league and of FCS football, you will most definitely miss out if you don’t tune in to the SLC Opening Drive next year and the product on the field this year.