247Rumors

A pair of nationally successful FCS schools could make the leap to the FBS, as the Sun Belt conference is reportedly interested in adding Georgia Southern and Appalachian State.

The Sun Belt lost several members in the last round of conference realignment, namely, North Texas, Middle Tennessee State, and Florida Atlantic. Even with new schools coming in, they're down to eight football programs. Georgia Southern and Appalachian State would be strong additions, so far as transitioning FCS schools go: Georgia Southern won a national championship in 2000, and Appalachian State won three in a row from 2005-2007, notably knocking off Michigan in the Big House. Other options for the Sun Belt include James Madison, Jacksonville State, UT-Chattanooga, and schools from the WAC, which no longer sponsors football.

The Sun Belt has proven a decent conference for transitioning schools: of the eight football programs in the conference, four transitioned from the FCS within the past five years.