Sam Houston State Football: Will Bearkats see success in first FBS season?

Conference realignment has affected conferences throughout college football. The Big 12 welcomes Houston, BYU, and Cincinnati this fall. The Cougars and Bearcats leaving the American Athletic Conference mean new teams in the AAC.

The AAC welcomes Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, Alabama-Birmingham, North Texas, and Rice. That means Conference USA welcomes three new additions. One of those new additions is Sam Houston State football. SHSU is one of two new additions making the jump from FCS to FBS (Jacksonville State is the other).

Here are a few things you might not know about Sam Houston State. The university is located in Huntsville, Texas, and is the third oldest university west of the Mississippi. Unlike their counterparts in Cincinnati, their mascot is spelled with a “k” and not a “c”. They are the Bearkats.

The Bearkats have been one of the better teams in FCS over the last 20 years, making 10 appearances in the playoffs, including seven appearances in a row (2011-2017). SHSU has played for three national titles, winning one (2020).

Its most famous alum, Josh McCown played 19 seasons in the NFL.

Can the Bearkats succeed similarly as they leap from FCS to FBS? How will Bearkat football fare in its first season in Conference USA? Here is a closer look at the Bearkats’ debut season in CUSA.