The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), which played its first football season in school history, was technically a new FCS program. However, UTSA announced before the 2011 season that it was transitioning to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). The Roadrunners played one season as an FCS independent, and under NCAA rules for transitioning programs were ineligible for the FCS playoffs. They will then join the Western Athletic Conference in 2012, but will be ineligible for FBS bowl games. UTSA will become a full FBS member upon completion of the transition in 2013. The Roadrunners, coached by former Miami head coach Larry Coker, play at the Alamodome in downtown San Antonio.
Teams transitioning to FBS[]
See also: 2010–12 NCAA conference realignment
In addition to UTSA, three other schools began transitions to the FBS. They are subject to the same restrictions as UTSA regarding postseason eligibility until 2013.
The University of South Alabama, after two years as an unclassified NCAA program, played its first complete NCAA season. The Jaguars, already full members of the Sun Belt Conference, will eventually join that conference for football as well.
Texas State University–San Marcos (Texas State), a Southland Conference member, will join the WAC along with UTSA in 2012. As a result, they were classified as an FCS Independent in 2011 despite playing a full seven-game Southland Conference schedule.
UMass' conference record is listed as 0-0 because they were in the process of transitioning to FBS As of January 9, 2012 • Rankings from The Sports Network FCS Poll
Template:2011 Division I FCS independents football standings
Fordham was ineligible for conference title because they offer football scholorships while other Patriot League members do not Rankings from The Sports Network FCS Poll
† – Conference champion x – Division champion/co-champions y – Championship game participant
Jackson State and Southern are ineligible to participate in the SWAC Championship Game due to low APR scores. Rankings from The Sports Network FCS Poll