Though many pundits may have less than favorable things to say about the Sunbelt Conference, I believe you can't argue that the league always is a Topsy-turvey one; Last season the Ragin Cajuns were expected to finally top the hill and win their first outright conference title in four decades; instead the proud and loud upstarts Georgia Southern completely shocked the Belt and ran through their conference slate, winning the crown outright. Least we forget App State (also the youngbloods of the conference) who seemingly looked good as dead early on in their first season as an FBS upstart; yet they ended their season on a six game winning streak, including marquee victories both AT Lafayette and Jonesboro against the Red Wolves. South Al also surprised many, with clutch victories that ensured their first ever appearance in post season play (beating FAU's previous record as youngest Division I program to make a bowl game). Texas State ended up finishing strong, compiling a 7-5 record, yet being left out of post season play. Despite being beaten up by season's end, Blake Anderson still managed to secure Astate's 4th consecutive bowl game AND broke precedent by not only coaching the bowl game but actually staying for another season (it only took nearly five years!). After another dismal season, the men of Troy saw changing of the guard with long time head honcho Larry Blakeney stepping down and handing the reigns over to Neal Brown, who despite being only 35 already has compiled an impressive coaching resume ranging from Troy to Texas Tech and Kentucky. New Mexico State, Idaho and Georgia State all once again struggled mightily, with all three head coaches compiling a combined win-loss record of 7-63 while being the head coaches of their respective institutions.
As we approach the 2015 season, it shouldn't shock those that follow the 'Belt that yet again, their is no clear cut favorite. Appalachian State, Georgia Southen, Louisiana Lafyette and Arkansas State all have strong cases for being considered the favorites for the SBC title (ranging from GATA's always imposing rushing attack, the Mountaineers have 20 starters coming back, the Cajuns with their imposing Defense and the Red Wolves with their high powered Offensive attack). Though the official head coaches preseason poll hasn't been released yet, many expect the aforementioned teams to be
the top four of the rankings.
As we further inch closer to the beginning of the 2015 season, a few things can be certain: in the crazy league known as the Sunbelt, somebody will scare one of the big boys (if not even upset them), somebody is going to go on a conference winning streak, and another is going to spoil one (or more) conference title dreams in the grand scheme of things-just another day in the 'Belt.
Team That'll Surprise-New Mexico State Aggies
The Aggies have been long suffering program (the last time they played in a bowl game the national average for regular gasoline was $0.31). Last season was no different going a dismal 2-10. However NMSU was a very young program, with majority of the starters being underclassman; Head man Doug Martin has been very methodical in rebuilding his depth chart, recruiting majority players straight from high school and very seldom adding from JUCO-this is going to take time and I don't think they're going to blow the doors off in '15, but I think they'll be much more improved and battle hardened. Furthermore, with the likes of fellow stinkers Georgia State and Idaho traveling to Las Cruces, along with a Troy program with a new headman, I don't feel it's a stretch to think NSMU could get to three wins; steal one on the road and that doubles the win totals from the last two seasons!
Team That Will Disappoint-South Alabama Jaguars
After fielding a football team for the first time in September of 2009, the South Alabama Jaguars became the youngest FBS program to make a bowl game, narrowly losing to the Bowling Green State Falcons. Despite the defeat, the sky is still the limit for a program that has boasted tremendous growth in five years; however as bright of a future as USA has, 2015 certainly bares a lot of question marks. On one hand, this Jaguar program lost quite a bit of players to graduation (15 to be exact
) and only returning five...total. On the flip side South Al was able to pick up eight transfers from UAB that are immediately eligible this fall, along with former Blazer OC Bryant Vincent. Though that certainly will help plug up the holes left from graduation, one has to wonder if they'll be able to adapt and adjust after such an emotionally draining ordeal in Birmingham. When you take the great lost of personal, an influx of transfers along with a fairly challenging schedule, I'm not sure if the Jags can match their six wins from a season ago.
) and only returning five...total. On the flip side South Al was able to pick up eight transfers from UAB that are immediately eligible this fall, along with former Blazer OC Bryant Vincent. Though that certainly will help plug up the holes left from graduation, one has to wonder if they'll be able to adapt and adjust after such an emotionally draining ordeal in Birmingham. When you take the great lost of personal, an influx of transfers along with a fairly challenging schedule, I'm not sure if the Jags can match their six wins from a season ago.
Game of the Year: TIE (Ga. Southern vs App. State/Arkansas State vs LA. Lafayette
The week of October 19th-24th pits two of the most bitter and hottest rivalries the conference has to offer. It starts off with a Tuesday night National TV showdown between the Belts top performing programs over the last four seasons, the Cajuns of Lafayette vs the Arkansas State Red Wolves. Three days later, the defending SBC champs Georgia Southern will travel to Boone where the Mountaineers will not only want to return the beating they sustained the previous year, but catapult themselves to the top of the conference. Considering not only how much these teams despise one another, BUT these four programs have legitimate chances at winning the Belt, I gotta go with both match ups as conference game of the year. Mark my words...the winner of these two games will reign at the top come the end of the season.
Coach on the Hot Seat: Todd Berry, ULM
This is a no brainer...
Yes, solid arguments could be made for Trent Miles at Georgia State or Bobby Petrino over in Moscow but none of them have had the coaching tenure of Berry; his time at Monroe has been frustrating to say the least.
After going 9-15 in his first two seasons at ULM, Coach Berry and his Warhawks seemed to finally find their mojo in 2012; it started with the "Shock in the Rock", defeating the then ranked #8 Arkansas Razorbacks in Little Rock, followed by near (INSANELY near) victories over Auburn and Baylor to go on to win 7 of their next 9 games to secure their first bowl bid in school history, losing to Ohio Bobcats in the Independence Bowl. Despite the slight disappointing conclusion to 2012, the 2013 season was expected by many to be the Warhawks finest year, with many pundits and media outlets picking ULM to either win or share the conference title. They ended up going a very disappointing 6-6...they followed that with an even worse record of 4-8 in 2014. For over 30 years, Berry has had a very impressive coaching career at the Division I level at various assistant positions; however his success as a headman has been dismal at best, with his overall record being 56-93 during his times at Illinois State, Army and currently at ULM. Unless Berry can somehow come up with another miraculous season and secure ULM its second ever bowl game, (with the incredibly difficult schedule the Warhawks have for 2015 I highly doubt it), I gotta think ULM administrators would be about ready to find a replacement to lead the Warhawks back to the post season promise land.
Five Intriguing Non Conference Games (no particular order)
--Texas State @ Houston:
I love instate match-ups and the Bobcats will be wanting to make a bold statement throughout the Lone Star football world.
--ULM @ Hawaii:
The Warhawks have a brutal slate, including a trip to Hawaii Islands for this rather random match up; however if ULM can secure a win against the Warriors it might be the saving grace come bowl selection time.
Louisiana-Lafayette @ Louisiana Tech:
The Cajuns were flat out embarrassed and soundly beaten at home by the Bulldogs in 2014. No doubt Lafayette will want to return the favor as they return to Ruston for the first time since 2004, where they were beaten 24-20.
--Missouri @ Arkansas State:
For the first time in 14 years, the Red Wolves will host an SEC opponent at home in Jonesboro; on top of unveiling massive renovations to their stadium, Astate will more than likely have a chance to take down a top 25 team in Jonesboro as well.
--Georgia Southern @ Georgia
We all know what a remarkable year the Eagles had in their FBS debut last season; on top of winning the belt, Georgia Southern nearly defeated not only NC State but fellow instate program Georgia Tech. Now they have a chance at toppling the (totally pun intended) top dogs of the Peach State in the Georgia Bulldogs; it'll be a tough challenge but the fact is they already took down one SEC east team nearly two years ago (Florida).
