Making The Leap: Texas State Transition To FBS
By Kyle Kensing
As the Western Athletic Conference began hemorrhaging members to the Mountain West in 2010, WAC commissioner Karl Benson turned his attention to the land where football is king. Texas State accepted the invitation to become a Bowl Subdivision member on Nov. 11, 2010.
A primary crux of the Bobcats’ move is the expansion of its home, Bobcat Stadium. The venue currently seats in the neighborhood of 16,000 fans. Plans call for an increase of over 20,000 seats. TSU had the No. 23 average attendance in the FCS in the 2010 season, yet because of the capacity of Bobcat Stadium could not have finished in the Top 10. The expansion plans for and ensuing attraction to Bobcat Stadium will rely heavily on a sizable student body.
TSU (formerly Southwest Texas State; I can only assume the university was trying to draft off the awesomeness of Necessary Roughness when it renamed in 2003) played a Southland Conference schedule in 2011, despite being ineligible for the FCS Playoffs. The Bobcats dropped a pair against FBS opponents Wyoming and Texas Tech to open the campaign, but went on a five-game win streak that powered them into the Top 25. Tech is on the docket again in 2012.
Their stay in the Top 25 was short lived though, as the Bobcats finished on a four-of-five skid. TSU’s only win in the home stretch was against Prairie View A&M; all four SLC opponents on the slate downed the Bobcats.
The key to Texas State’s immediate adaptation to the FBS is the quick maturation of what was a young team last season.
VITALS
• Location: San Marcos, Texas
• 27,476 undergraduates
• Famous Alum: President Lyndon Baines Johnson
• Five-Year Record: 29-29
• Recent Notable Achievements: 2008 Southland Conference Champions; 2005 Southland Co-Champions; 2005 Division I-AA Semifinalist
HEAD COACH
TSU hired former Alabama and Texas A&M head coach Dennis Franchione before the 2011 season. a blast from the past to power the Bobcats’ future. Franchione coached the Bobcats in 1990 and 1991 when STSU was a Division II program. Franchione’s had success at the FBS level, but left Texas A&M under a cloud of controversy for soliciting donations in exchange for inside team information.
Franchione was no stranger to controversy before his dismissal. He ended up in College Station after just two seasons at Alabama. While he elevated the Tide from the dredges of a 3-8 campaign to consecutive bowl appearances in 2001 and 2002 — including a 10-3 finish in ’02 — he pulled the reverse Bear Bryant with NCAA sanctions looming. ‘Bama had not incurred the penalties under Franchione, but he spurned the program and fan base with a $15 million offer sheet on the table.
TSU’s transition is an opportunity for Franchione to rectify the past blemishes guaranteed to surface when his name is mentioned.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Terrence Franks had a breakout redshirt freshman campaign in the Bobcats’ transitional season, scoring nine touchdowns and rushing for 863 yards on 146 carries. Franks showed the ability to explode, but was not given too hefty a load (146 carries). Franchione had success at TCU with a Lone Star-produced back becoming its engine; perhaps you know of LaDanian Tomlinson? If Franks can develop into a middle class man’s version of LT as he gets more opportunities, the Bobcats’ offense should find its identity.
Franks split carries in Franchione’s option offense. Quarterback Shaun Rutherford and Marcus Curry each rushed 127 times. Both are back for 2012 after combining for over 1000 yards.
The key loss is on defense, where the line must replace Michael Ebbitt. Ebbitt had an astounding campaign, registering 11.5 sacks. That would have been enough to land Ebbitt in the top 10 among FBS pass rushers. Any departure is a tough pill to swallow for a Bobcat defense that surrendered over 28 points per game.
NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
- Sept. 1 at Houston
Sept. 8 vs. Texas Tech
Sept. 22 vs. Stephen F. Austin
TSU defeated SFA in 2011, 36-24.
Sept. 29 vs. Nevada
Oct. 6 at New Mexico
Nov. 17 at Navy