I completely forgot, Robert Morris will be in the NEC for football moving forward as well.
https://northeastconference.org/news/202...er_23.aspx
That makes 3 Western Pennsylvania football schools, all bus trips from Chicago.
Assuming Chicago State football plays in the NEC, they will be the 8th member. Looking at scheduling, that will be either 3 or 4 conference home games per season. In addition, I’m confident Chicago can host at least one HBCU classic game per year and one HBCU non conference game. One may be D1 and one D2, however it works out.
Another feature of Chicago State football scheduling will almost certainly be another Illinois FCS school. Likely home and home opponent would include Eastern and Western. They are both close by, would like to play in Chicago, and have been good about scheduling Chicago in many sports over the years. SIU and ISU or possible as well.
Another almost certain opponent would be Valpo since it’s just a few miles away. But I’d also include other Midwest Pioneer League schools like Butler and Dayton on a secondary level after Valpo.
Making up a schedule, this is what it could look like with some made up teams outside of NEC teams-
Week 1- Central State (or local NAIA or D3 team) Home
2- Valpo Away
3- Western Illinois Home
4- Stonehill Away
5- CCSU Home
6- Robert Morris Away
7- Wagner Home
8- SWAC or MEAC opponent Home
9- Duquesne Away
10- St Francis Home
11- Long Island Away
In this hypothetical schedule, there would only be 2 flights. In alternate years, there may also only be 2 flights. Stonehill and LIU in the first year. Wagner and Central Connecticut in alternate years.