Troy University head coach Larry Blakeney mentioned at the Sun Belt Conference football media days gathering this week that he hoped the league would bring another team into the conference, giving it nine Division I-A-playing teams, which would give each team eight league games per year.

Commissioner Wright Waters admitted nine would be “the perfect number for scheduling,” allowing four home and four road games each season.

Some within the conference believe the reality of a nine-team Sun Belt football roster may happen soon — and the search won’t have to take place outside the conference. Western Kentucky, already a Sun Belt member but playing a I-AA schedule, is believed to be considering a move up to I-A membership.

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