DENVER, Col. – Officially titled the WAC-ASUN Challenge, the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) and the Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) have partnered to form a scheduling alliance for the 2021 season. The agreement will allow the seven schools to be eligible for an automatic qualification into the 2021 NCAA FCS Playoffs.
 
The WAC-ASUN alliance will consist of LU, Abilene Christian, Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin from the WAC, and Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky and Jacksonville State from the ASUN. WAC members Dixie State and Tarleton State will participate in the joint schedule but will not be eligible for the group's automatic qualifier due to their transition to NCAA Division I status.
 
"I am very pleased that the WAC was able to work with the ASUN Conference to put together a mutually beneficial scheduling alliance for the upcoming football season," said WAC Commissioner Jeff Hurd.
 
The seven schools will play a single round-robin, with each institution having three home contests and three road contests. The team with the highest winning percentage among the seven teams will receive the automatic qualification to the FCS Playoffs. In addition, a trophy will be presented to the conference that has the highest winning percentage against the other conference.
 
ASUN members Kennesaw State and North Alabama will continue to participate in the Big South Conference for the 2021 season and WAC member New Mexico State will continue as an FBS Independent.