I am going to start the Gang of 5 predictions this year with the Sun Belt. The Sun Belt had a disappointing year last year and will need to bounce back this season in order to stay even with CUSA. Next Up the MAC.
SUN BELT 2015 PREDICTIONS
1. APPALACHIAN STATE: 9-3
With 20 returning starters, an up and coming QB(Taylor Lamb) with experience under his belt, a very good offensive line and talent at the RB position( Junior Marcus Cox had 19 TD's last year) Appalachian State looks to be a force in the Sun Belt this year. Coach Scott Satterfield( APP STATE FINDS ITS SWAGGER LINK) is finding his voice and the App State players are responding very well to his winning philosophy.
Appalachian also has a very favorable home schedule this year playing their 3 toughest opponents( Ark State, Georgia Southern and ULL ) in Boone. Look for this home field advantage to make the difference for the Mountaineers as Kidd Brewer stadium can be a hard place for opponents to play and win.
2. ARK STATE 9-3
Here is what I wrote about Arkansas State a few months ago: Head Coach Blake Anderson has a terrific reputation among College football coaches. Now that Coach Anderson is in his 2nd year as head coach of the Arkansas State Wolves look for him to continue to create a culture of winning at Ark State. Red Wolves QB Fred Knighten returns for Senior year. While not the greatest QB in College Football, he is steady and could prove to have a very nice Senior campaign. The Red Wolves have some nice talent in RB Michael Gordon and last years leader in yards at WR 6'2 Tre Houston. If the Oline can continue to give solid play and the Defense improve from last years very average effort, the Arkansas Red Wolves could be making headlines in January 2016.
Since I wrote this I have become more bullish on Ark State because I believe their OLine will be the difference maker for them this year. Their game against App State on Nov 5( ESPN U) will likely determine the winner of the Sun Belt this year.
3. GEORGIA SOUTHERN 8-4
I like Georgia Southern.(Georgia Southern School of the Year link )Their DNA is similar to the DNA of ECU (ECU Fan Base link) and that is a good thing. Georgia Southern is growing one of the best fan bases in the Sun Belt Conference. They are also learning to win in big game settings( beating Florida in 2013)
This year however, they simply lose to much beef up front( 4 OL starters) to make the Option click. Yes top WR BJ Johnson returns as does hard charging RB Matt Breida( 1400 yards last year). The key to the OPTION, however are the big guys up front operating in a tight unified fashion. To many new guys up front equals uncertainty for the Eagles this year. Look for Georgia Southern to struggle early and often as they work out the kinks of the new guys up front. Still, Georgia Southern will be headed to their first Bowl Game this year. Not bad for a program that is only in the infancy phase of FBS competition.
4. ULL 8-4
I think Head Coach Mark Hudspeth is a huge asset for ULL. He has built an excellent program and made the Ragin Cajuns a team that most schools in the Sun Belt dread playing. In fact, Hudspeth teams are loaded with the best athletes , pound for pound, in the Sun Belt and are among some of the best of the Gang of 5.
The problem for ULL however, is that the program has failed to win the big games needed to capture head lines in the world of College Football. Last year for example, I picked ULL to easily win the Sun Belt and to be a dark horse Access Bowl candidate(ULL Access Bowl Candidate link). Instead of the Access Bowl , they were treated to losses ( Boise State , Ole Miss, and La Tech) to teams that on paper they had solid chances of winning.
This year ULL once again is loaded on both sides of the ball with very good athletes and talented skill players. They also return 3 Oline players from last years 9 win team. Elijah McGuire, last years Sun Belt Player of the Year is also back for the Ragin Cajuns. McGuire is a legit NFL talent and has the skill set to create match up problems for every school ULL plays this year, including P5 School Kentucky. If ULL can get on a run and play to their potential they are capable of winning every game this year. Until , however, ULL can prove they are capable winning the big and important games, I am going to underestimate them vs over estimate them.( I stand ready to apologize to ULL fans if they prove me wrong this year)
THE REST
5. TEXAS STATE
6. SOUTH ALABAMA
7. IDAHO
8. UL-MONROE
9. TROY
10. GEORGIA STATE
11. NEW MEXICO STATE
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