Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Monday, July 28, 2014
G5 NEWS AND ISSUES 2014 PRESEASON PREDICTION: BOISE STATE WILL WIN THE MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE
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| BOISE STATE PLAYERS GOING THROUGH PRE-GAME RITUAL |
G5 Conference News Original Content
MWC
No conference in the non BCS world of the last decade has carried as much prestige and demanded as much respect as the Mountain West Conference has. Led by perennial power Boise State, the MWC was the gold standard by which all of the other non BCS conferences measured themselves by. The last few years however, has found the MWC in the midst of some unaccustomed growing pains. With a major coaching change to its flagship program, an unpredictable maze of FBS conference realignment and increased competition from the newly formed AAC Conference , its understandable why the Mountain West may feel a bit off center of late.
Any idea or hope however, from the other G5 Conferences that the MWC is planning to somehow quietly fade into the background is unwarranted. The MWC continues to be one of the top two conferences in the G5 world in spite of some new challenges the conference faces. Schools like San Diego State,Air Force, Fresno State, Boise State and Colorado State, all provide the MWC with both regional and national footprints. The league still sports some of the most loyal fans in all of College Football and the MWC continues to do what it has always done, play very good football.
Because of some of the recent MWC challenges, picking a winner this year for the MWC has proven to be the most difficult out of all of the G5 Conferences.( for other G5 Conference predictions click here:Conference USA prediction, SunBelt prediction, AAC prediction) The difficulty comes as an unusual number of MWC programs are going through some serious transitioning or rebuilding. Having said this however, my pick for the 2014 MWC Champion is Boise State.
BOISE STATE
I am not a band wagon kind of guy and I looked for every reason not to pick Boise to win the MWC this year. But when you examine what Boise State has coming back this year, including 12 starters from last years 8-5 record, it is hard to justify not picking them to win the MWC for 2014.
Here is what I like about Boise State this year:
* One of the leagues best backs in Jay Ajayi( let's hope he has put his fumbling issues behind him)
* Good talent at WR including returning starters Matt Miller and Shane William Rhodes.
* One of the best secondaries in the MWC
All is not perfect in Bronco country though as they have some issues that have the potential to derail their Championship hopes this year. The Broncos for example begin the season with a very average D line and an Oline that has some major question marks including having only two starters return from last years squad.
Perhaps the biggest unknown for Boise State this year however, is new head coach Bryan Harsin. After a successful year as head man at Arkansas State, Coach Harsin returns to Boise State as team leader. Harsin knows the Bronco program well as he spent 9 years on the Boise State staff from 2001-2010. While I think Harsin is one of the best young coaches in the country, it will be a tall order for him to replace the highly successful and much loved Chris Peterson. Let's take a wait and see approach to see how this works out for both Boise State and Bryan Harsin.
In addition to Boise State this year, look for Fresno State and Utah State to have strong seasons. If Boise State falters, either of these schools, especially UTah State with the ubber talented Chuckie Keeton, will be more than happy to be crowned league champ. I think it is highly likely that all three of these teams will be in the running for the MWC Championship for much of the season.
CONCLUSION
The MWC continues to be a strong and competitive football league. With a great lineup of football centered schools and a superb winning tradition, don't expect for the MWC growing pains to last long. It also seems highly likely that the MWC will be battling the AAC for the top G5 Conference spot for many years to come. Stay tuned.
2014 MWC CONFERENCE PREDICTIONS
Boise State MWC Conference Champion
MOUNTAIN DIVISION
Boise State
Utah State
Colorado State
Wyoming
Air Force
New Mexico
WEST DIVISION
Fresno State
San Diego State
Nevada
UNLV
San Jose State
Hawaii
Saturday, July 26, 2014
Thursday, July 24, 2014
CONFERENCE USA COMMISSIONER BRITTON BANOWSKY: " THE MOST CHALLENGING TIME IN COLLEGE ATHLETICS"
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| CONFERENCE USA COMMISSIONER BRITTON BANOWSKY SPEAKS TO REPORTERS DURING MEDIA DAY YESTERDAY
Original G5 Blog Content
Twitter: @GFiveConf
Conference USA held their annual Media Day in Irving, Texas yesterday. Among the parade of Head Football Coaches and Conference USA star football players, Conference USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky addressed the media with a few important conference details. Among them were:
*COMMITMENT TO COST OF ATTENDANCE FEES: Conference USA is committed to paying the so called cost of attendance fees that have been strongly pushed for by the Power 5 in the last 18 months. Although Conference USA is in support of the extra fees, Banowsky indicated that each school in the conference will have to decide if they can afford the new costs associated with these new fees. It is not entirely clear at the moment what schools , if any , will choose not to pay the new cost of attendance rate hikes.
*"THE SECOND FIVE" Britton Banowsky was asked what the 5 non power conferences should be called.( This blog refers to the five as the G5 or Gang of 5) Banowsky indicated that the 5 should be called,'The Second Five".
*THE POWER 5 NEED US: MTSU Head Coach Rick Stockstill, speaking to the media noted that, "There’s no doubt in my mind that all of us are going to co-exist together" and "“I don’t see this complete separation where it’s them ... and we’re the little boys trying to take their ball from them. I think we’re set in Conference USA, set better than some of the other conferences that aren’t in that top five.” (SOURCE: Charleston Gazette )
*WKU LAST PIECE OF REALIGNMENT PUZZLE: Banowsky made the point that Conference USA was at a "pivot point" and that WKU was the last piece of the realignment puzzle for the conference.
CONCLUSION
As I have written before,(Conference USA faces difficult challenges ahead)there are few conferences in the FBS that have experienced as much dramatic change due to realignment as Conference USA has. Listening to the press conference yesterday however, one gets the sense that Conference USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky understands these changes and is ready to lead Conference USA to better days.
The challenges for the conference however, are many, including finding one or two teams that can make national headlines for winning in College Football. Conference USA, also faces the difficult task of learning to assimilate the many new programs that now fly under the Conference USA flag.
Still, if you are a fan of Conference USA, or one of the teams in the conference, you have to feel good about what Britton Banowsky said yesterday as well as the optimism portrayed by the coaches and players in attendance at Media Day. The next few years for Conference USA will be of utmost importance as it works to recapture some of the magic and respect it enjoyed from years past . Stay tuned.
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Wednesday, July 23, 2014
CUSA MEDIA DAY WELCOMES NEW FACES AND NEW CHALLENGES TODAY
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| MTSU PLAYERS ASSEMBLE FOR START OF GAME CONFERENCE USA MEDIA DAY(LINK) |
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
G5 NEWS QUICK HIT: MARSHALL DESERVES ACCESS BOWL IF THEY GO UNDEFEATED IN 2014
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| MARSHALL PLAYERS PUMP UP THIER HOME CROWD |
G5 BLOG ORIGINAL CONTENT
Twitter:@GFiveConf
The debate about which team from the G5 might be in line to receive the coveted slot for one of the new so called Access Bowls has already begun. (for more information on the new Access Bowls click here: Access Bowl ) Under the new College Playoff system, the highest ranked team from the Gang of 5 will be chosen to compete against an as yet named P5 team in one of the 6 new Access Bowls. The Access Bowls, formerly BCS Bowls under the old BCS system in College Football, are essentially consolation prizes for the best teams that do not qualify for the newly created 4 team playoff.
Buzz about a potential undefeated season for Marshall has been grown steadily over the past several months. Marshall , under Head Coach Doc Holiday, has assembled an impressive group of recruits and athletes during Holiday's 5 year tenure with the program. In addition to the players Holiday has attracted, the Herd also have a very favorable schedule this year. In fact fbschedules.com ranks the Herd schedule as one of the weakest in College Football this season.(Marshall has the 122 ranked SOS schedule this year out of 128 FBS teams NCAA SOS RANKINGS ) Marshall's talented team combined with a helpful schedule could provide the Herd with a powerful one, two, punch this season.
Given the reality of Marshall's weak schedule coupled with a talented squad lends credence to the Thundering Herd being one of the early frontrunners to receive an invite to the Access Bowl this year. This seems especially true if Marshall manages to go undefeated this year and they are the lone G5 team to do so.
If Marshall does in fact earn a perfect season in 2014, they should have their efforts rewarded with the G5 Access Bowl slot. Here is why:
First, Marshall's scheduling woes are largely due to factors beyond their control. Louisville for example, their best and most important opponent for 2014, asked to have their game with the Herd moved to 2016.( it is unclear at this time if the Louisville game will ever take place) In addition to not playing Louisville this year, Marshall has to compete in a much weakened Conference USA. Gone from the conference are UCF, ECU, Tulsa and Houston, teams that would have given Marshall a stronger strength of schedule portfolio. In the place of these schools are a collection former Sun Belt teams like MTSU, North Texas and WKU to name a few. While the new schools in Conference USA are quality programs, they simply do not carry the same weight as the majority of the teams that have left Çonference USA over the past two years. Marshall, however should not be penalized for a schedule and collection of teams that they in large part have no control over.
Second, and perhaps most important, any FBS team that finishes the season without a loss should be granted the best possible reward available. In this case, the reward should be an invitation to one of the Access Bowls. Going undefeated in the modern College Football era is extremely difficult to do. Difficult because of the many factors that conspire against a team to win every single game during the season. Factors like injuries, bad calls, bad luck and playing on the road are all considerable obstacles to going undefeated. If Marshall finishes the regular season with a perfect record they should be given the Access Bowl slot over a one or two loss team from another G5 program.
Finally, there is precedence in College Football, especially among non BCS, or non P5 programs, to give the undefeated team the best bowl game available. This certainly was the case in 2004 and 2008 when Utah went undefeated and in 2009 when Boise State went undefeated. Both Utah and Boise State were picked to play in BCS Bowl games for each of the years their respective teams were perfect.
If Marshall hopes to go undefeated this season they will need for many pieces of the football pie to fall in place, including some good old fashioned luck. With a favorable schedule and some very good football players assembled in Huntington, don't be surprised if the Thundering Herd make program history and claim a perfect FBS season. An undefeated campaign is enough to warrant big rewards for the program, the players, and the school leadership. A reward that should come in the form of an Access Bowl slot if Marshall manages to be flawless this year. And if you really want to dream big, how about an undefeated Marshall qualifying for one of the four playoff spots this year. Why not? Stay tuned
Sunday, July 20, 2014
Friday, July 18, 2014
G5 QUICK HIT: BOISE STATE AND THE AAC STILL NEED EACH OTHER
Follow us on twitter @GFiveConf G5 Original Content
AAC AND BOISE STATE
The philosopher Cicero was found of saying that if we are not ashamed to think it, we should not be ashamed to speak it. Okay Cicero here is what I am thinking, I am thinking that it is time for Boise State and the AAC to bury the hatchet and join forces...again. Yes, I said it, and it feels surprisingly good to write it. Boise State and the AAC need each other like John McEnroe needed Jimmy Connors. Here is the deal, until the two reunite the AAC will never achieve the status that it so desperately wants nor will Boise State have the East Coast platform and basketball competition it needs to continue to be relevant in College Sports. Yes, I know the two just broke up with each other. But like any great business deal, necessity is the mother of invention or in this case reunion. Besides ,some of the greatest relationship in history have been messy at times but very necessary. Think Queen Victoria and Prince Albert
Not only does the AAC need Boise State and Boise the AAC, but Mike Aresco, the AAC Commissioner, should dust off the AAC blueprints for a Western Division and try it again. If I was Mike Aresco I would be using some serious phone plan minutes with calls to the West Coast. This time around however, the AAC should also add Fresno State in addition to San Diego State to the mix.(note: it was widely reported that Fresno and Mike Aresco talked about membership in 2012 when the AAC was still the Big East)
It's time for a Boise State reunion and a revised Western Division AAC blueprint because uncertain and difficult times call for bold action. The AAC should reach out to Boise State, Fresno State and San Diego State because the AAC is in a position of strength and strong organizations stay that way by acquiring other strong programs. Mr. Aresco should strike while the iron is hot and worry about flight logistics and game scheduling later. Heck, why stop with just Fresno and San Diego, Aresco should go on a buying spree and pick the best of the MWC. Think bold, think outside the box,think aggressively, but whatever you do, don't think status quo.
You know what would happen if Boise and few of the best MWC teams became part of the AAC? It would set off a wild scramble within the G5 system. A scramble with some major collateral fallout. Here are three of the most dynamic and sweeping changes such a move would trigger in the G5:
1. The AAC would have their most legit argument to date as to why they deserve P5 status and a piece of the P5 money pie. It would also create an insurmountable chasm between the AAC and the rest of the G5.
2. BYU would feel incredible pressure to thoroughly review the considerable risks it faces by remaining an Independent. If Boise State came back and the AAC created a nimble but strong Western Division it would very difficult for the BYU leadership to argue why Independence is better than joining the AAC.
3. If Mike Aresco and the AAC were able to pull off the creation of a new Western Division within the AAC, it would all but force a new " best of the rest" conference within the rest of the G5. Schools like Marshall, UL, Ark State , Southern MIss, Ohio, Northern Illinois and several in the MWC just to name a few, would have to decide if staying in their current conference configurations are worth getting left behind any further than what is currently happening in College Football. A best of the rest conference would be competitive and offer the schools in it a vehicle to thrive rather than just survive.
There are of course major road blocks in the way for Boise to return to the AAC. Money being the primary issue. It is widely believed that Boise State demanded a sweat heart financial deal from the AAC in order to remain in the conference. Mike Aresco and the AAC School Presidents balked at the offer and Boise went running back to the MWC. The AAC subsequently sued Boise State for breach of contract and the two parties recently settled their financial dispute for a reported 2.3 million dollars.
Some things , however, are worth exploring and trying again even if they failed the first time around. The AAC inviting Boise and reconstituting a Western Division make for good business and conference strategy. The question still remains though, if the AAC and Boise State understand how important they are to each other. Until and unless that happens, both will be weaker and less able to navigate the new landscape of College Sports. Stay tuned.
Thursday, July 17, 2014
NORTH TEXAS AND MARSHALL PICKED BY CONFERENCE USA COACHES TO WIN WEST AND EAST DIVISIONS
Original G5 Blog content:
CONFERENCE USA
The Conference USA Head Coaches have spoken. North Texas and Marshall have been given the nod to win the West and East Divisions in Conference USA this year. Last year the Coaches Poll chose ECU to win the East and Tulsa to win the West. Neither school won their respective divisions.
In a recent post, I picked Marshall to win the East and UTSA to win the West. For a more in depth look at the G5 Blog Conference USA 2014 picks click hereCONFERENCE USA 2014 PRESEASON PICKS.
In the post, I have North Texas finishing fourth in the West. There are too many question marks at the QB, Dline and Lb positions for the Mean Green to repeat last years very good season. Regardless of where they finish this year, North Texas fans have to be feeling good about their program at the moment. After a decade of poor play, North Texas is suddenly considered a player and real threat in their new conference, Conference USA.
The Mean Green turn around can be credited to one man, Head Coach Dan McCarney. The former Iowa State Head Coach has taken a Mean Green program in the depths of irrelevance and brought them to a place of respect and quality play. For my money, McCarney is the best motivator in Conference USA and one of the best in all of College Football. McCarney's brand of coaching and player philosophy have been just what the North Texas faithful have been waiting for.
I expect North Texas to go through a rebuilding year this year and target the 2015 Football Season to regain their 2013 form. North Texas down year , however, is good news for UTSA. The Roadrunners with their combination of experienced players, and excellent Head Coach in Larry Coker, are in the drivers seat to become the Conference USA West Division Champs this year. Look for their game against Rice on November 8th to solidify the Conference USA West Division race. Stay tuned.
Monday, July 14, 2014
Sunday, July 13, 2014
BYU PLAYERS CITE TRAVEL AS A POSITIVE OF BEING INDEPENDENT
Travel or no travel, BYU cannot remain an Independent for long if they want to continue to be competitive in the new landscape of College Football. I still believe they will find a home in the AAC, even if that home affords BYU special status. Stay tuned.
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Friday, July 11, 2014
G5 CONFERENCE NEWS PRESEASON PREDICTION: MARSHALL WILL BE CONFERENCE USA CHAMPS
Original G5 Blog content
CUSA
MARSHALL THUNDERING HERD C USA WINNER
The Thundering Herd are men among boys in Conference USA this year. No team in the league comes close to matching the fire power, and talent that Head Coach Doc Holiday has gathered in Huntington. In fact, there is no conference in the G5 that has as wide a gap in quality from top to bottom as CUSA does at the moment.
What makes Marshall so strong this year is their balance. The Thundering Herd are far from a one dimensional team. Yes the Herd have All Universe , Senior QB Rakeem Cato, the 2013 Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year and potential Heisman Candidate, but they also have a defense that should more than hold its own this year. The Thundering Herd sport a quality defensive unit thanks in large part to 2nd year Def Coordinator Chuck Heater. Heater turned an undisciplined but talented Marshall defense into a respectable contender last year. Look for an even better Thundering Herd squad this year as Heater has some serious talent to work with including 4 Star VaTech DB transfer Donaldven Manning among others.
The Thundering Herd however, do have a few chinks in their armor, as they are prone to mental errors and breakdowns. These mental breakdowns are at times costly and occur most often when Marshall is on the road and away from Joan Edwards stadium. Last year for example, Marshall lost to road foes Ohio and MTSU, games they should have won handily.
If Doc Holiday wants to lead the Herd to a CUSA Championship this year, and perhaps even take the Access Bowl slot, he will need to exercise his teams road demons and get his talented squad to work together as a team. Herd fans have every right to be excited for the start of the 2014 Football Season as their team has all the pieces in place to be one of the best Marshall teams ever. For a more in-depth look at Marshall Football click here( Marshall Football review).
CUSA WEST CHAMPION
My pick for CUSA West Champion is UTSA. What makes the Roadrunners such a strong contender this year are three ingredients every successful College Football teams needs; a superior O-Line, an excellent Head Coach( Larry Coker) and strong Senior leadership. The Roadrunners are flush in all three of these departments including an eye popping 19 Senior Starters this year.
Head Coach Larry Coker is simply one of the best in the business. What he has accomplished with the Roadrunner program in the few years he has been its leader is a case study in how to get the most out of players and a program. What stands out the most on this Roadrunner team is how solid they are at almost every position on the field. While Coker may not be coaching a large group of superstars, he is coaching a group of players who work hard and know how to play together as a team. Getting the most out of his players is Larry Coker's best asset as a coach. Look for him to lead his 19 Seniors and the rest of the Roadrunners to win the Western Division of Conference USA this year
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MOST IMPROVED IN CUSA
This award goes to FAU. Yes the Owls had plenty of drama last year, especially surrounding the bizarre events culminating in the firing of Head Coach Carl Pelini. FAU however, made a good hire in the 40 year old new Head Coach Charlie Partridge. Partridge, a Florida native with great recruiting chops, may just be the man the OWLS need to turn their underperforming program into a winner.
FAU finished the year strong last year finishing 6-6 including a four game win streak and impressive victory over a solid Tulane team. The OWLS have some nice local Florida talent on their team and return QB Jacquez Johnson. Johnson seemed to hit his stride at the end of last season and was workmen like in his approach to the game. FAU also returns the leagues best Secondary, something that will play in their favor especially in the pass happy Conference USA. Don't be surprised if FAU is playing for the Conference USA East Championship by the end of the season.
CONCLUSION
CUSA is in rebuilding mode at the moment. They are fortunate to have one of the best G5 programs in the country in Marshall in this year. The Herd should bring some much needed positive national attention to CUSA this season.
Although CUSA East, is Marshall's to lose, the West looks much less settled. UTSA is my pick for the West but look for RICE to be close on their heels. If UTSA stumbles during the season RICE has the best path forward to win the West.
Last years biggest surprise in C USA, North Texas, faces an uphill battle this year in their attempt to repeat last years excellent season. While the Mean Green return an experienced and quality O-line , they simply have to many holes to fill on both sides of the ball to be considered a serious challenger for the West this year. The good news for North Texas fans, however, is that they have in Dan McCarney, one of the best Head Coach's in Conference USA. Look for the Mean Green to reload this year and become a contender for the 2015 season.
Going forward, CUSA looks to be dominated by Marshall for many years to come. Programs like Southern Miss, UAN and UTEP will need to improve and improve quickly if the conference hopes to regain its former reputation as a solid, respectable league. Stay tuned.
CUSA EAST
MARSHALL
FAU
MTSU
WKU
ODU
UAB
FIU
CUSA WEST
UTSA
RICE
LA TECH
NORTH TEXAS
SOUHTERN MISS
UTEP
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
JOINING SUN BELT WILL HELP APPALACHIAN STATE SCHEDULING
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| APP STATE PLAYERS PREPARE TO TAKE THE FIELD SUN BELT HELPS APPALACHIAN STATE (LINK) |
Appalachian State may be a bit of an enigma to the casual College Football fan, but to those in the know, this is a program with winning in its blood. App State has a stellar history of fan support and winning games that matter, including 3 FCS Championships. While they are sure to encounter growing pains as they make the move from FCS to FBS, this is one of the programs that I have applauded the Sun Belt for taking. Read the linked story to learn more about what membership in the Sun Belt will mean to Appalachian State.
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
SEVERAL G5 PLAYERS PICKED FOR 2014 THE MAXWELL AWARD WATCH LIST
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| TEMPLE QB P.J. WALKER NAMED TO MAXWELL AWARD LIST CLICK FOR COMPLETE MAXWELL AWARD LIST |
The Maxwell Football Club located in Louisville KY, announced on Monday, the watch list for their annual award naming the seasons best College Football Player. 75 players were picked as watch recipients this year. Last year's winner of the Maxwell Award went to Alabama QB, AJ McCarron. Here is the list of G5 players chosen for the list and the schools they represent.
G5 MAXWELL AWARD LIST PLAYERS
Raymond Maples Senior RB: ARMY
Jay Ajayi Junior RB: BOISE STATE
Matt Johnson Junior QB: BOWLING GREEN
Shane Carden Senior QB: ECU
Justin Hardy Senior WR: ECU
Rakeem Cato Senior QB: MARSHALL
John O'Corn Sophomore QB: HOUSTON
Taylor Heinicke Senior QB: ODU
P.J Walker Sophomore QB: TEMPLE
Chuckie Keeton Senior QB: UTAH STATE
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Monday, July 7, 2014
BOISE STATE: A DARK HORSE FOR COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF SPOT?
The article linked is early speculation about a Boise State appearance in the new 4 team College Football Playoff. While I think Boise will be competitive this year, it will take a near miracle run for them to be one of the four playoff teams. Strength of Schedule and a new Head Coach make the Broncos an improbable G5 squad to make the playoffs.
For a G5 team to earn one of the highly coveted playoff spots, they will need a strong SOS and most likely go undefeated as well. There are few teams in the G5 that have the type of SOS and players needed to squeak into the College Playoffs this year. Schools like ECU, and UCF have very good SOS this season, but seem unlikely to go undefeated. Stay tuned.
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Friday, July 4, 2014
G5 NEWS AND ISSUES PRESEASON PICK: UL RAGIN CAJUNS WILL BE SUN BELT CHAMPS
G5 Original Material
You are unlikely to find an FBS program that has gone from rags to riches as quickly and as convincingly as the UL Ragin Cajuns have. After decades of wandering the football desert, UL has found a plush and deep oasis in head football coach Mark Hudspeth. Hudspeth, has brought discipline, passion , and talent to a UL program that had been in desperate need of all three of these qualities. Mark Hudspeth should lead the Ragin Cajuns to a Sun Belt title this year and a possible birth in the newly formed ACCESS BOWL. For a more in depth look at the 2014 UL Football preseason click here UL Football.
UL however, will have steep competition this year in the Sun Belt. Their Oct 21st match against Ark State, my pick for the second slot in the Sun Belt, could easily help to determine the eventual winner of the Sun Belt . Arkansas State begins the 2014 season with a talented team and looks to have chosen another excellent head coach in Blake Anderson.
South Alabama, my third place pick in the Sun Belt, has under head coach Joey Jones( read the coaching profile on Jones here: Joey Jones) amassed some quality players. The Jaguars( read about South Alabama ) have taken advantage of very good leadership and the talent rich state of Alabama to create a football program that is on an impressive upward trajectory.
The Sun Belt also offers some of the most intra conference intrigue this year among the G5. How for example will new Sun Belt members, Georgia Southern and App State compete against the top teams in the conference? How much rebuilding will Idaho and New Mexico State need before they can move out of the Sun Belt cellar?Will Georgia State be able to take advantage of the talent in around Atlanta to make a move up the Sun Belt ladder? All of these questions will make the Sun Belt a fun conference to watch this year.
We will revisit the Sun Belt picks at the end of the 2014 Football Season. Stay tuned.
PREDICTED SUN BELT 2014 FINISH
1. UL
2. ARKANSAS STATE
3. SOUTH ALABAMA
4. TROY
5. TEXAS STATE
6. GEORGIA SOUTHERN
7. ULM
8. APPALACHIAN STATE
9. GEORGIA STATE
10. IDAHO
11. NEW MEXICO STATE
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
JULY 1ST BRINGS NEW LOOK TO AAC, SUN BELT AND CONFERENCE USA. WHICH LEAGUE BENEFITS THE MOST?
Original G5 Content
HAPPY JULY 1ST
July 1st brings a new look to the AAC, CONFERENCE USA AND SUN BELT. What conference benefits the most from the changes, what conference benefits the least. First however, lets take a look at the conference shifting that occurs today.
AAC: Loses Louisville, gains ECU, TULANE AND TULSA
CONFERENCE USA: Gains WKU, loses ECU, TULANE AND TULSA
SUN BELT: Loses WKU, gains APPALACHIAN STATE, GEORGIA SOUTHERN, IDAHO(football only) NEW MEXICO STATE ( football only)
JULY 1ST WINNERS: SUN BELT
Although losing WKU will hurt the Belt in Basketball, APP STATE and GEORGIA SOUTHERN make up for the lose of WKU in the only sport that really matters in conference realignment, Football. APP STATE and GEORGIA SOUTHERN , however, will need to prove that they can carry their winning traditions and strong fan base with them to the FBS division if the Sun Belt is going to be fully rewarded for inviting them to the conference. IDAHO and NEW MEXICO STATE will need to considerably strengthen their game if they hope to add any value to the Sun Belt.
I also give the nod to the Sun Belt as a winners today because losing WKU is a much less significant blow to the conference than Louisville leaving the AAC and ECU, TULANE and TULSA leaving Conference USA. All things considered, count July 1st as a win for the Sun Belt and the Sun Belt leadership.
JULY 1ST LOSERS: AAC AND CONFERENCE USA
AAC: It might seem strange to call today a losing proposition for the AAC. They are after all, gaining two of the best teams from Conference USA, ECU and TULSA . They also gain TULANE. These three programs do not make up for the departure of Louisville. The lose of the Cardinals is a big blow to Mike Aresco and the AAC. The AAC can take solace however, in knowing that they have reduced significantly reduced the fire power of Conference USA.
CONFERENCE USA: Conference USA is between a rock and hard place at the moment. Britton Banowsky, Conference USA Commissioner , has publicly stated that he believes it is a good thing when Conference USA schools move on to better conferences. It is hard to imagine, however, that losing ECU and TULSA is good for the conference.
While Conference USA is getting a solid pick up in WKU , the Hilltoppers simply do not have the same pedigree or winning tradition that the Pirates or Golden Hurricanes have in Football. As I wrote in this earlier piece, CONFERENCE USA, July 1st Changes, no conference in the G5 has been hit harder during the recent wave of conference realignment than Conference USA. Stay tuned.
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