Adding a different wrinkle to the conversation in regards to the SWAC going FBS - and with apologies to MVSU, but has anyone thought of the possibility of adding Tennessee State to the SWAC as a 13th member and Valley staying at the FCS level? That would give the SWAC TnSU as a 12th FBS team and 13th in all other sports. Not sure if that's allowed, but definitely worth consideration. Win-win for the conference:
Eastern
Alabama A&M
Alabama State
Bethune Cookman
Florida A&M
Jackson State
Tennessee State
Western
Alcorn State
Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Grambling State
Prairie View A&M
Southern University
Texas Southern
All Other Sports
+ Mississippi Valley State
This is not meant as a slant towards Valley, but I have serious doubts about them being able to sustain at the FBS level without serious financial boosts. This way they remain in the SWAC as D1 member, and can benefit from the membership sharing, but also compete in FCS without breaking the bank. Whenever they are ready to move up to FBS, the SWAC could look for a 14th member to become a super-conference. MVSU could still schedule traditional SWAC rivals like JSU and Alcorn as FBS OOC opponents, and join another FCS as an associate member. Thoughts?