With Texas State’s departure from the Sun Belt in 2026, the question of expansion isn’t just relevant—it’s urgent. In today’s world of college athletics, things can change in a moments notice. That’s no different than what’s happening in the Sun Belt. Everything has moved pretty quickly over the last several weeks. There’s been preliminary talks with teams in other conferences but news broke yesterday that there will be a vote on Monday from the presidents in the conference whether or not to allow Louisiana Tech to join the Sun Belt.

And of course, right on cue, fans of the Sun Belt’s East Division schools—who carry themselves like they’re too good for the rest of us—are clutching their pearls at the idea. But here’s the hard truth: the Sun Belt doesn’t need the East’s fans’ approval to make the right decision. Adding Louisiana Tech makes sense, and the league shouldn’t be held hostage by a group of schools who think they’re above the rest of the conference.

Texas State’s exit opens a hole in the West Division footprint, and let’s be honest—Texas State never truly delivered on its promise. Sure, they had a big market and a pretty campus, but they never moved the needle in the Sun Belt. They were 0-12 against Louisiana in football. Their presence was more about potential than production.

Louisiana Tech, for all its flaws and past arrogance, brings something real: history, passion, and familiarity. This isn’t about being in love with the move. It’s about understanding what it brings to the table. And geographically, competitively, and culturally? It fits.

And then there’s the elephant in the room: Louisiana Tech’s history of badmouthing the Sun Belt. Let’s not forget the condescending comments from their former athletic director, who once scoffed at the idea of joining the Sun Belt, acting like Conference USA was a country club and the Belt was some afterthought. I remember those comments as do many other SBC fans especially those of us in Cajun Country. Their fans echoed the sentiment for years, calling the Sun Belt “beneath them.” Their fans used to laugh at the idea of being in this league. And now, with Conference USA on life support and Tech stuck playing games in front of empty bleachers on weeknights against schools they don’t care about, suddenly the Sun Belt looks pretty attractive.

The irony is thick—but also kind of satisfying. Because now, Louisiana Tech wants in. Badly. And the fact that they’re finally recognizing the strength, stability, and momentum of the Sun Belt speaks volumes. It also proves that the Sun Belt has become what it was always meant to be: a premier Group of Five league that others want to join—not escape from.

Let me be clear: I’m not the biggest fan of Tech joining. While my gut reaction is to roll my eyes at the whole thing, I also understand it—especially from a regional rivalry standpoint. This league has always been at its best when it leans into what makes it unique: geography, intensity, and emotion. And in that context, Louisiana Tech fits. Like it or not, a division with Louisiana, ULM, Southern Miss, Arkansas State, South Alabama, and Tech? That’s compelling. That’s marketable. That’s Sun Belt football.

What gets under people’s skin—especially fans of the East schools—is that this move feels like a shift in power. And maybe it is. Some of their fanbases are already floating the idea of breaking away from the league altogether over a move like this. Seriously? They want to jump ship because of Louisiana Tech?

That’s not a rational conference debate—that’s pure elitism. These are the schools that have benefited from the rise of the Sun Belt and now act like they’ve outgrown it. They want to hand-pick additions based on metrics and market reach while ignoring the regional rivalries and identity that made the Sun Belt great in the first place.

The East can grumble. Their fans can rage-post about how they deserve better or how they’re above this league. But the truth is, the Sun Belt has carved out its own identity—gritty, competitive, and real. And whether or not Tech deserves it, the conference stands to benefit from their addition.

I’m not thrilled about it. I don’t have to be. But I get it.

And at the end of the day, building a stronger, more regional, and more intense Sun Belt is more important than trying to please a few schools in the East who think they’re still playing in the Big East circa 2006.