The new OVC: Is Samford already jumping ship?

Samford found out as an independent school in the late 1990s that it wasn't welcome in the Southern Conference. But now it appears the league has changed its tune and is in talks with the Ohio Valley Conference member to jump ship.

Southern Conference officials told the Birmingham News this week that the league is moving ahead with plans to expand, and indications are that Samford might figure heavily into its future. The idea became even more attractive when Tennessee-Chattanooga chose to stick with the Southern Conference despite interest from the OVC, so that gives Samford - an Alabama school - a potential rivalry game closer to home. The league's other members are College of Charleston, The Citadel, Davidson, Elon, Furman, Georgia Southern, UNC-Greensboro, Western Carolina and Wofford.

The OVC hasn't said much, other than it hopes Samford stays on board.