There is probably more variety in the 2003 Southland Conference schedule than any other conference. The landscape of the Conference is changing. In 2003, the guarantee of at least 2 conference post-season bids will (and should) be questioned. So, scheduling will be crucial. The NCAA selection committee desperately needs 2 teams from the conference to "stand out"... so who will they be? An improving Jacksonville St. has moved to the OVC and now the conference has only 6 football members (7 in 2005, as S.E. Louisiana will once again play football for the conference). If you look at the following schedules, you will agree that the SFC will provide fans with some of the best games in the nation in 2003. Luckily, there are a few teams with some schedules that will be worthy of post-season attention:

1. Sam Houston St: The Bearkats have a very interesting schedule for 2003. Here is a team that plays 2 sub-IAA opponents, but no one seems to complain ... as they also face 2 IA programs and a I-AA team poised for a title. Make that 2 teams poised for the I-AA title and another team making a run at the DII national title. SHS opens with DII Midwestern St, then goes on a 3-game road trip that rivals any team in the country ... featuring Montana, Baylor and UTEP. Then they have a break with DII Tarleton St. ... or do they? TSU is the #13 ranked team in DII and will most likely end making a title run in '03. The remaining OOC game is against Northern Arizona, another team expected to return to post-season form in 2003. The conference slate is split in home vs. away. However, they have to face McNeese and Nicholls on-the-road.
   
   
2. Stephen F. Austin: The Lumberjacks also face a very tough 2003 schedule. The Lumberjacks open with UL-Monroe, then face Southern Utah, perennial powers Northern Iowa and Portland St., then Alcorn and Florida International. In the conference slate, the Jacks have to face McNeese and Northwestern St. away from friendly territory.
   
   
3. Nicholls St.: The Colonels have a great 2003 schedule. A DII opener with Bethel, is followed by the conferences second 3-game horror road trip. First is South Florida, a team looking to make the national scene in 2003. Then comes a rebounding Portland St., followed by a DII foe ... not just any DII foe. A&M Kingsville is considered the greatest team in Division II history and should make their climb to the top in 2003. My opinion? If you are going to face a DII opponent ... I would select a team that you can easily win against. After all, the NCAA does not count it in any case. Next, is an interesting game with Texas Southern. The conference schedule is evenly split ... McNeese is at home, while Northwestern St. is away.
   
   
4. McNeese St.: The Cowboys look to take things to the title game in 2003 and this schedule will certainly do it for them. Opening against Henderson St, then another in our SFC tradition of solid "threesomes". Although not all on the road, the Cowboys will face Kansas St., then Georgia Southern (a game many say is a title-game preview) and finally Grambling. To help fend off the onslaught of emails ... Many will ask "why such a low ranking with such teams on the schedule"? Well, I will try to explain.
        First, the rankings for schedule are no different than Pete's Power Poll and conference poll ... there is no personal opinion allowed. Therefore I have nothing against MSU. If I did, I may rank them higher, as I have always liked the Cowboys. In fact, aside from my own alma matter and a couple conference members ... I have had the opportunity to see MSU more times than any other I-AA team (almost 10 times since 1988). That being said, Henderson is DII ... then KSU is a money game ... GSU is a terrific non-conference meeting ... and Grambling will always be ranked, even though they seldom deserve it. Pete's does not rank the SWAC, so the Cowboys do not get the benefit of the other polls high rankings. In a addition, MSU follows this up with 4 teams in the bottom 25% of the 2002 Power Poll. All of this, is why they are #4 in our SFC schedule ranking. So ,there is no disrespect intended.
   
   
5. Northwestern St.: Don't let rating fool you. This schedule demonstrates why a machine cannot do what a mind can. First of ... there are 2 IA games on the Demon's schedule, even though Louisiana-Monroe is not a power. Tulane certainly is an outstanding club and Monroe will be tough to handle. Then you have UNI. Well, you can think this is the .500 club of 2003 and leave it at that. On the other hand, you can get back to reality and look at the fact that this team won the GFC 7 times in the 90's & made the semi's the season before last. So which team will show up in 2003? Then you have Delaware St.. This team is capable of defeating anyone, but doesn't. Now you have Jackson St.. Well, as with all SWAC clubs ... you blink once ... they score 3 times. The conference slate is split, with McNeese on-the-road. So, many of the clubs on the Demons schedule are ranked low, which impacts their rating. However, this is one tough schedule.
   
   
6. S.W. Texas St.: The Bobcats have a few very challenging OOC opponents. But they do face two solid IA clubs in New Mexico and Tulsa. In addition, they will face Cal-Davis ... a team that has many pollsters talking. Unfortunately, the team is DII & this may have hurt the Bobcat's rating a bit. However, as Davis was such a powerful team in DII, they have a very high ranking. However, there is also a second DII club on the schedule, not quite as powerful as Davis. The Cats to have a home date with McNeese in 2003.