Lets look at each team and how they did this year.

Preseason picks: ( with variation in coaches and directors poll. )
1. SHSU
2. McNeese
3. UCA
4. Lamar
5. SFA
6. SLU
7. NWST
8. ACU
9. UIW
10. Nicholls
11. HBU

1. Sam Houston- Positives: SLC Champions. Multiple players with conference and national awards. National leader in offense. Post season victories. Negatives: Defense was lacking overall but had great defenders. Did well against weak SLC teams.
Grade: A-

2. McNeese- Positives: Ended the year on a strong note winning 3 of 4. Winning wasn't about the talent on the field but about their desire to do it. Weakness: Bipolar. Fans weren't sure who would show up.
Grade: B

3. UCA- Positives: After losing 30 players fans didn't know what to expect. Second place in conference. Playoff win. Several recognized players. One of the nations top run defenses. Weakness: Pass defense even with a couple of nationally recognized pass defenders. The chemistry with the secondary wasnt there.
Grade: A

4. Lamar- Positives: Kept games close. Even UCA and SHSU. Harrington was a beast. Weaknesses: Lost more games than they should have. Got to regroup.
Grade: C

5. SFA- Positives: After going 5-6 its hard to justify the direction the team is going in. Preseason QB favorite. Good offense. Workable defense. Negatives: Results tell the story. Lost more games as the season went on. Injuries didnt help but the QBs got smacked around with little Oline protection.
Grade: D-

6. SLU- Positives: Ended up 3rd in conference. This is the team to look out for next year IMO. Ended strong winning the last 6 of 7 games. Negatives: Didnt play SHSU and lost to UCA by 35. Defense has to step up against stronger conference teams. But fans could see the winning attitude as the season progressed.
Grade: A-

7. NWST- Positives: They fielded a team. I think. Weaknesses: Very disappointing. Won ONE game all year and landed last place in conference. Never expected that!
Grade: F

8. ACU- Positives: The team has hired a new coach. New direction. Weaknesses: 2-7 in conference. They have to rebuild. Just very disappointing.
Grade: F.

9. UIW- Just not ready for contending in the SLC.
Grade D

10. Nicholls- Strengths: Winning season in conference. Kept tough games close. Weakness: Couldnt finish games out. But ended up 5th in conference.
Grade: B

11. HBU- Strengths: Had one of the best defenders in the conference. Weaknesses: Little defense overall. But didnt end up last in conference.
Grade: D+

Any thoughts? Its just thoughts on what I saw this year.