Now that Lamar is back in the fold it is time to look at what might be next for the suddenly resurgent Southland Conference.

Just a year ago the league was on the ropes with McNeese State holding the key to its future. Now, with a new commissioner and a fresh approach, the league is for the first time looking like a destination site for schools rather than an outpost.

So what is next in the old rumor mill?

I take a look at a few teams that seem to make sense for the league.

It should be noted no Southland officials were contacted for this piece. All new Commissioner Chris Grant will say is the league is looking at expansion and will remain a gas tank league.

“We want our fans and families of our athletes to be able to go and watch their teams and kids plays and get home on one tank of gas,” Grant said.

With that in mind, here are some schools that make sense and why. Also, the number of football’s is a 1-5 grade on the likelihood of this happening. Five is the best chance.

1 — Incarnate Word: The school announced in November that it was leaving the Southland for the Western Athletic. This could be the case of buyer’s remorse.

Sources say the university is under pressure by the WAC to build up its facilities and do it quick. That costs money. UIW has shown it can be a player on the field in the Southland just at the time it is leaving.

So the Cardinals could follow in Lamar’s footsteps. Hey, they share a nickname.

Birds of a feather?

Key is UIW doesn’t have to do anything to stay. No WAC buyout would be needed. All the Cards have to do is say we want to stay and cash in on a new-look league.

4 footballs — Staying put or risk going kaput.

2 — Texas-Rio Grande Valley: The WAC school is spending some $30 million in facility upgrades, which would be a great feather in the Southland’s cap. It also wants to start football, which should be a must for the SLC.

For the same reason that UIW makes sense in the SLC co does UTRGV. Location, location, location.

Travel costs would be down and the school is a perfect trip partner with Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

Could also be part of a Texas Division to the league.

3 footballs — Some of WAC’s exes are in Texas.

3 — Stephen F. Austin: Why not bring another back to the fold.

The WAC is not what it was supposed to become and likely won’t now after some key departures. So a soft landing back home would work.

While SFA has bigger ideas about its future, the present means expensive trips to Seattle and California which don’t make as much sense as they did when football was on the rise in the WAC.

Sure the school and athletic brass would have to swallow some pride but that beats going broke.

1 football — Proud Texans play alone.

4 — Tarleton State: A perfect travel partner for incoming Southland club Texas A&M-Commerce, Tarleton is jumping up to Division 1. Currently in the WAC as well, the Texans are willing to spend to improve their athletics. It would also give the league a presence near Dallas, meaning if done right Houston, Dallas and New Orleans would all have some interest in the league.

This is another school with thoughts of bigger days ahead. But it would behoove Tarleton to walk before it tries to run.

2 footballs — Likely will stay with SFA.

5 — Centenary: The Shreveport school recently announced it was bringing back football. If it wants to be in FCS the SLC could be the perfect fit down the road.

There is tradition there and also a chance to add another Louisiana school. It will take time to build up the Centenary program but it is something to keep an eye on for sure.

2 footballs — Too soon to tell.

Dark horses: UL-Monroe in a step down, Texas A&M-Kingsville in step up.