From the Gulf to the Mountains: South Alabama Joins the Mountain West

Champ Jackson, Saturday Night Chronicles

Well, folks, get ready for a move that nobody saw coming—South Alabama is officially leaving the Sun Belt and heading west to join the Mountain West Conference. That’s right, the Jaguars are packing their bags and trading Gulf Coast humidity for higher altitudes. I’m not entirely sure what part of Mobile’s Cumberland Plateau (the highest point in the area) was pulling all this weight to justify the move, but apparently, it’s enough to get South Alabama into the Mountain West.

This move comes with some exciting developments. In a joint announcement between the South Alabama athletic department and the Mountain West Conference, the Jaguars will form an annual rivalry game with Wyoming. To make things even spicier, there’s already a trophy in the works—The Iron Spur Trophy.

The Iron Spur Trophy will feature a large, intricately designed cowboy spur, symbolizing Wyoming’s ranching heritage, intertwined with a sturdy nautical rope representing South Alabama’s maritime traditions. The spur, crafted from bronze or iron, will be mounted on a wooden base, engraved with the winners of each year’s matchup. This trophy represents the rugged frontier and maritime legacies of both schools, creating a rivalry that is set to become one of the Mountain West’s most meaningful and competitive.

Out-of-Conference Ambitions

But the news doesn’t stop there. South Alabama, now aiming to bolster its out-of-conference schedule, has publicly issued an invitation to Tulane for a home-and-home series. The Jaguars seem eager to test themselves against a strong AAC opponent, but as of this writing, Tulane has yet to respond. There are already murmurs swirling that Tulane may be leaving the invitation on read, sparking some intrigue as to whether this matchup will come to fruition.

Challenges Await in the Mountain West

While this move brings excitement, there are significant questions about how South Alabama will fare in the Mountain West Conference. One of the biggest concerns is recruiting. Historically, South Alabama hasn’t exactly been a powerhouse in attracting top talent, and that’s a problem they can’t afford to overlook as they move into a more competitive conference. Will their recruiting struggles follow them west, or can they adjust to land the athletes needed to compete at this higher level?

Another looming issue is the travel. South Alabama is going to have to contend with frequent trips to the Mountain time zone, the Pacific time zone, and even the Hawaii time zone. For a program not used to such extensive travel, this raises a lot of questions about how they will handle the long, grueling trips week in and week out. Not only will the travel take a toll on the players and coaching staff, but it’s going to have a major impact on the athletic department’s budget. Can South Alabama afford these extended trips, and will the increased travel costs affect the program’s resources and performance?

Sun Belt’s Next Move?

With South Alabama’s exit, the Sun Belt Conference is already looking to fill the gap. Speculation has begun about which school will step in to join the league. Possible candidates include James Madison, who recently transitioned to the FBS and has shown impressive competitiveness. Other names floating around are Eastern Kentucky, Jacksonville State, and Sam Houston State, all programs looking to continue their rise in Division I football.

While no official announcements have been made, the Sun Belt is likely exploring its options to ensure the conference remains strong following the departure of South Alabama.

South Alabama’s move to the Mountain West opens up a world of possibilities for the program, from new rivalries to tougher schedules, but one thing is for sure—college football just got a whole lot more interesting.

Stay tuned for more updates as we dive into the impact of this shocking realignment and what it means for the future of South Alabama and the Mountain West.

What will be the biggest challenge for South Alabama in the Mountain West?

• Recruiting top talent.
• Long-distance travel and time zone changes.
• Competing against stronger teams.
• Budget concerns with the increased travel.