The Championship Subdivision News Log

The Texas State Athletics department released the Fall 2010 football schedule Tuesday, and it looks as though Bobcat fans are in for a pretty good season.

Here is the schedule:

Sept. 4 at Houston, 6 p.m.

Sept. 11 vs. Southern Arkansas, 6 p.m.

Sept. 18 vs. Cal Poly, 6 p.m.

Sept. 25 vs. Southern Utah, 6 p.m.

Oct. 9 at Southeastern Louisiana

Oct. 16 vs. Nicholls State, 6 p.m.

Oct. 23 vs. Northwestern State (Homecoming), 3 p.m.

Oct. 30 at Stephen F. Austin, 2 p.m.

Nov. 6 vs. Central Arkansas, 3 p.m.

Nov. 13 at McNeese State, 7 p.m.

Nov. 20 at Sam Houston State

Contrary the rumors I’d heard, Texas State won’t play Texas Christian again this season. However, the opener against UH will be interesting to see, as the Cougars could be future conference opponents if Texas State moves to the Football Bowl Subdivision and into Conference-USA. It will also be interesting to see the matchup between veteran quarterback Case Keenum and the Bobcats’ new recruit, Tyler Arndt, who is ranked the No. 37 QB in the nation by ESPN (that is, if Arndt gets the starting spot). An upset against UH could drive momentum for the Bobcats and help put Texas State’s name out there in regards to the FBS move.

Texas State has put together a pretty good nonconference schedule for next season. Instead of playing Angelo State and Texas Southern (as the Bobcats have in recent years and usually win those contests), games against Cal Poly, Southern Arkansas and Southern Utah will be good tests.

The contest against Southern Arkansas is, well, sort of random, if you ask me. I’m not sure what Texas State’s motive is behind playing against a Division II Gulf South Conference team, but then again I, like many other Bobcat fans, don’t know much about Southern Arkansas football and the Muleriders’ success. Southern Arkansas won the GSC regular season championship in 2008 but capped off the 2009 season with a 3-7 overall, 2-6 conference record. Bobcat fans will hear more about this team around August.

The Bobcats won against Cal Poly the last time the teams met in ‘07 and could see repeated success, especially with Texas State’s strong recruiting class.

When Texas State plays Southern Utah and loses, the event is tucked away in the back of my mind until the end of the season when fans realize every win counts. Texas State has lost to Southern Utah for two consecutive years, so a win against this team could do some good for the Bobcats’ reputation, especially since the game will be played on home turf.

However, one game Bobcat fans probably wish was taking place at home next season is the one against Southern Louisiana (need I say more?) The Bobcats will be seeking revenge from its costly loss last year and unfortunately, this game will be in Lions territory.

The remainder of the schedule is what I’m most disappointed about. The most-watched and most notable conference games, in my opinion, are away games (with the exception of Central Arkansas). The game against SFA last year was exciting and a great win for the books. The game against Sam Houston State is usually a fun one because it’s almost always the last game of regular season play and the Bearkats are a great in-conference rivalry.

My favorite Southland Conference matchup, however, is always the one against McNeese State. McNeese is historically one of the best teams in the FCS and consistently have a strong group of players each year. It’s unfortunate the game won’t be played at Bobcat Stadium, but on the other side of the coin, a home game against Central Arkansas could be just as good of a game.

I’m looking forward to the 2010 football season and even moreso to hearing fans’ thoughts on these games as well. Kick-off may not be until September, but it’s never too early to start thinking about — and researching for — football season.

University Star
http://star.txstate.edu/content/analyzing-bobcats-2010-football-schedule