2017 #FUNBELT Almanac

If there's a few defining characteristics of the ole Sun Belt, it would be these things...
*Constant member shuffling and musical chair
*Almost everybody has a chance at winning the conference
*Co-Conference Champions
*King Karl

2017 looks to be no different as Coastal Carolina enters there first season in the league as football playing members and the league bids farewell to both New Mexico State and Idaho as they cut the life line that was extended to both back in 2013. After sharing the title with Arkansas State, the Mountaineers of Appalachian State look to be the lone king of the mountain this season, and considering all the returning talent and favorable schedule it would certainly appear this could be App's breakout season. There's so many aspects of the 2017 season to discuss and analyze but without a doubt there's certainly one aspect that hasn't changed...

King Karl and man is he still rocking those shades...

SO, Back by popular demand (namely ME!!!)....


Here is the 2017 Sunbelt Almanac!

The Team That Will Surprise-Coastal Carolina

The Teal Nation will make their long awaited debut not only in the Sunbelt but in the FBS ranks in a mere matter of months and I tell ya what--if the 'Chants can figure out their offensive question marks fairly quickly in the early goings of the season, the schedule absolutely sets up for them to have a remarkable inauguration in the big leagues...

Sat, Sept 2	vs UMass	7:00 PM ET	4 available from $50
Sat, Sept 16	@ UAB	TBD	18 available from $35
Sat, Sept 23	vs W Illinois	TBD
Sat, Sept 30	@ UL Monroe	7:00 PM ET	11 available from $52
Sat, Oct 7	vs Georgia State	TBD	4 available from $40
Sat, Oct 14	@ Arkansas State	TBD	226 available from $5
Sat, Oct 21	@ Appalachian St	TBD	51 available from $94
Sat, Oct 28	vs Texas State	TBD	4 available from $40
Sat, Nov 4	@ Arkansas	TBD	3,694 available from $6
Sat, Nov 11	vs Troy	TBD	4 available from $50
Sat, Nov 18	@ Idaho	5:00 PM ET	23 available from $51
Sat, Dec 2	vs Ga Southern .

Now don't get me wrong, it's going to be a tall task to ask the newbs to knock off defending conference champs App State and Arkansas State both on the road and lets forget that money game against the Razorbacks first weekend in November but I don't see any reason CCU can't compete against a "Re-booted" UAB squad and a Umass program that hasn't won more than five games in six years; they should beat Western Illinois and I wouldn't put it past them to potentially knock off Texas State and/or ULM. They may not be in the running for a Sunbelt title this season but I know I'll be one of the very few that's not surprised when Coastal ends up middle of the pack in the league standings by December. 

Team That Will Disappoint-Arkansas State

Man...this pains me to write, because I LOVE my Red Wolves and always aspect them to be the best year in and year out. BUT, I like to think I'm a realist and there are a ton of red flags in terms of depth and personnel to go along with a pretty tough schedule to make me think this could possibly be a "2014-esque" season for Arkansas State: or worse.

The entire Offensive Line has to be replaced and considering how disappointing the unit performed last season, that wouldn't seem to be an all out negative; however, losing dynamic tacklers Xavier Woodson Luster along with two additional starters on defense will be felt tremendously. Even with a few key skilled positions returning starters back (Justice Hansen at QB and a majority of the starting WR corps for instance) your first three of four opponents that range from Nebraska, Miami and SMU with a roster still trying to set itself during fall camp bodes for another long September for Astate. 

I won't say its gloom and doom but unless Blake and company can pull this team together for another mad rally by the beginning of October through bowl season time, I would put the Red Wolves over/under win total at this point to be 7, which I know would be disappointing for a whole slew of Arkansas State fans.

Game Of The Year-Appalachian State @ Idaho

Crazy right?? But hear me out: The Mountaineers avoid both Arkansas State and Troy. Georgia Southern will certainly be looking to trip up their bitter rivals of Boone, but App plays host to Southern and I still have my doubts on the happenings of Statesboro currently. The only real challenge App seemingly has in conference is in Moscow. And it's not only because of the cross country trip the Mountaineers will have to make.

While it probably goes without saying the Vandals will once again not be able to stop a fart in the wind, Troy showed last season in their thrilling battle against App State it doesn't matter how many stops you make-whoever makes the last play wins. With a dynamic playmaker in QB Matt Linehan returning to the Kibbie Dome plus Five games before the showdown against the 'Neers to help get some reps in for the relatively new receiving corps, the Vandals will be looking to make a huge last splash in their final season in the Belt and if Appalachian State isn't mentally prepped for this game, it could be among the biggest upsets in the G5 Land.

Coach on the Hot Seat-Tyson Summers

So in my previous blog, we discussed among one of the intriguing storylines of 2017 was whether Tyson Summers would be able to turn things around in year two in Statesboro after a rather dud start. Well, he may not even have the opportunity as Dan Wolken first reported this week that former Offensive Coordinators for Georgia Southern have filed lawsuits against Tyson Summers, along with Eagles AD Tom Kleinlein, the Eagles athletic association and multiple more individuals. 

Its yet another rough moment for the Eagles program that seems to have really hit on rough times and while many pundits feel this legal filing won't make it very far, it could be enough for GSU administrative brass to say enough is enough and clean house in athletics-top to bottom. Even if Summers and crew can get through this PR nightmare relatively unscathed and still employed in Statesboro, Eagles fans and boosters have made it abundantly clear they won't tolerate another 5-7 season and I believe it.

Five Intriguing Games of 2017 (in no particular order)

**Memphis @ Georgia State: (New head coach, new football stadium, could it be the beginning of a golden era for Panthers football? Might still be a tad too soon, but I'm certainly intrigued at how GSU will fare against one of the better programs of the American with a lot of future expectations riding high in Atlanta.

***Troy @ Boise State: A LOT of preseason hype is certainly buzzing for the men of Troy and they have an opportunity to really get some national press if they knock off the original G5 darlings in Boise. 

***Oklahoma State @ South Alabama: For Cowboys fans thinking this is an easy road win, might want to ask Mississippi State fans how they're doing after the stunning defeat they suffered from the Jags last season. USA might struggle to make any noise in conference but no doubt in recent years they appear to be turning into the Belt's monster slayers.

***UTSA @ Texas state: I love me some in state match ups, especially when the Belters are facing fellow peer rivals in the G5. Consider the Bobcats and the Roadrunners as "arch rival siblings" as they both got their start in the FBS together before going there separate years. But now they begin year one of a multi year home and home deal and I look for this one to be a spirited contest (as any Texas school showdown should be).