We're just four days away from kicking off week one of what should be yet another exciting scramble that is the race for the Sun Belt Title Race! Even though it's week one, their are plenty of story lines and other aspects to watch for as we bop into first full week of action! Like...

How will the preseason darlings do Thursday against the Tennessee Volunteers?

Many pundits and the league itself has put a mighty amount of stock into the Mountaineers this 2016 season and App State will have the spotlight to make some significant INSTANT noise on the SEC Network when they face the Volunteers. Many college football prognosticators also expect big things from the Vols, with a preseason AP ranking of #9 and also pegged to win the SEC East. It maybe a tall challenge to score the upset in Knoxville (as Scott Satterfield told Boone media "that Tennessee is "further along" than Clemson was at this point last season."). However, I still am anxious to see how much of fight/scare Appalachian State can put into Tennessee, and if they can somehow pull off the upset watch out Sun Belt!

The Jags also have an opportunity to get a big time victory when they travel to take on Mississippi State in Starkville on Saturday the 3rd; the first of two SEC opponents the South Al program will play this season (the other being LSU in November) I dunno if the Jags have it in the tank to pull it off, but lets not forget FCS Jacksonville State darn near did it to Auburn a year ago so anything is possible.

 "Can the Belt Knock Off Peer Universities?"

We've pointed out before the Sun Belt members did rather poorly in non conference games last season (in fact, they were dead last in 2015 in OOC wins). If the 'Belt is ever going to get some respect, they have GOT to start winning these games and week one definently will provide plenty of opportunities to do so;

-Arkansas State will have one more chance to get a win from Toledo after failing to do so last season and in the 2015 GoDaddy Bowl. While the Quarterback situation still hasn't been exactly determined between Justice Hansen and Chad Voytik (Blake Anderson even telling media both QBs playing is seeming more and more likely), the Defense appears extremely stout for the Red Wolves and that (plus being at home) could be the edge Astate needs to get the win

-News from Las Cruces went from bad to incredibly god awfully in matter of days; Starting QB Tyler Rogers was arrested nearly a week ago for battery charges against his girlfriend.   While his status is unknown at this time pending investigation, it is DEFINENTLY safe to say he probably won't play against UTEP. Before that broke out, news also came out that Larry Rose III had "Sports Hernia Surgery" and was questionable against UTEP. 

-Georgia State was one of the few teams that was able to nab an out of conference victory against a fellow G5 member last year when they defeated the Cardinals at Ball State. BSU returns the game to Atlanta and if the Panthers can solve their QB conundrum, they appear to have a great chance at getting the sweep against the Cards.

-Texas State also faces a MAC team when they travel on the road to Athens, Ohio to take on the other Bobcats. This will be a very challenging road game for first year head coach Everett Withers and company as Ohio has been a very consistent performing program over the years under Frank Solich (80 career wins and bowl apperances 6 out of the last 7 seasons).

-The Cajuns have the marquee match up among peer institutes as they host Bryan Harsin and the Boise State Broncos in Lafayette on Friday the 2nd. This is a return game from back in the 2014 season when Boise steam rolled the Cajuns in Boise, 34-9. It'll be curious to see how LSU transfer Anthony Jennings (who was named the Cajuns starter back on the 24th), performs in his first game as a Cajun and against arguably the quintessential program in the Group of Five.

 Neal Brown: Year Two
Despite only winning four games a year ago,
Brown has made an already impressive mark on the Troy program, boasting among the most explosive offenses in the league; they just were unable to stop the other teams from doing the same. While some have Troy pegged to be the surprise team in 2016, the slate is pretty imposing and if they continue to find ways to lose like they did in '15, it will be challenging to get back to 4 wins let alone 6.





Fly Tyson FLY!!! (...and Freedom).
The new hire of Tyson Summers at Georgia
Southern was an interesting one, and while the

Eagles should be able to smash Savannah State
at home, the tune up game should prove beneficial
as they'll immediately jump into conference play
in week two against the Jags.

ULM and Idaho...Please don't lose :(

The Vandals play host to Montana State on Thursday and the last time Idaho played someone from the Big Sky (Eastern Washington in 2011) they lost 20-3. I'll still give a slight benefit of the doubt to Idaho, but then again it wouldn't surprise me if Bobcats send the Vandals a rude future awakening. 

Meanwhile, Matt Viator will also make his head coaching debut as he and the Warhawks will host the Southern Jaguars of the SWAC; While many have ULM pegged to be among the worst in the Belt, ULM should have the better talent over Southern to get the W. Hopefully they won't blow it and enjoy the victory as they will be underdogs for probably the remainder of the season (might be a push against Idaho on October 8th).

The Rise of Coastal

Last but not least, we have the Chanticleers as they begin year one of three of their transitioning to FBS football. Many will call this the throwaway season, as they will be playing as a "FCS Independent" and will be ineligible for the FCS playoffs. Many have taken this irritating route (ask App and Southern fans), and while it maybe hard to get too exciting about Coastal this year, it should still be interesting to watch their progress as they try to make themselves viable in the 'Belt. 

Profiling Prolific Red Wolves #1: Jeremy "Astate Fan Rules" Harper

In this day of smart phones, ever polarizing social media and Uber drivers there comes a time in every sports programs life when a brave, and brash figure takes a stand and becomes a driving force behind further perpetuating his or her's beloved team.

....Then there is Jeremy Harper. AKA "Astate Fan Rules." First associated with the program in the early 90s, neither he nor the entire ASU fandom would realize the impact he would have on all us Red Wolves with his wit, charm and love for hats. Currently a writer for the newly launched "Forgotten Five" website, Jeremy was very kind enough to hop along the Ramblin Post to begin a series highlighting some of the well known "Astate figures" throughout the land!

On this first edition of talking with notable Astate Figures, find out about Jeremy's (Rulez as I like to call him) induction into Arkansas State (and how it was almost over before it hardly began!), the lowest point as a fan for him, why he was initially "Meh" when Astatae changed to Red Wolves and more!!

Question 1: Set the stage for us; what was pre "Astate Fan Rules" like prior to becoming a member of the Red Wolf cult?

Aimless and directionless, just like the athletic program. Honestly, I wasn’t a very good fan.

Question 2: Tell us (in graphic details) the moment or situation you first became exposed to Astate? Did you become a fan that very same day?

It was the day I enrolled for fall semester, 1992. In those days, Arkansas State was vastly overshadowed by UofA and to some degree, even UALR. I accepted my scholarship with hardly any knowledge about the university. The first football game I attended was against Southern Illinois. The Indians hadn’t scored all year ­–­ three straight shutouts to Toledo, Oklahoma and Northern Illinois. When we scored against SIU, the scoreboard displayed a message: WE SCORED! I immediately became a fan. How could I not?

Question 3: Did you immediately adopt the "Astate Fan Rules" mantra or did it evolve in time?

After graduating in 1996, I became a terrible, horrible, not very good fan. I lost nearly all interest in Arkansas State. I was working on a career. Fell in love. Got married. Bought a house. Had a kid. Had another. I attended at least one home football game a year, but I had given up believing A-State could ever be more than a less-than-mediocre program. But then the Miracle on the Bluff happened. Corey Leonard’s Hail Mary against Memphis made me realize that anything was possible. A few years later, Hugh Freeze’s undefeated conference season proved it.

Question 4: While we are all fortunate in that the program is experiencing consistent success, any real ASU fan will know and have felt the "Dark ages" of ASU football; can you recall to us the lowest of the low for you as a fan?

The Joe Hollis era wa horrendous. But the lowest point, was when the program introduced a new fan-friendly mascot called Red in 2003. I appreciated some of the thinking behind it, but the idea of a “spirit mascot” that did everything but raise spirits deeply depressed me. I felt that Arkansas State might never get it.

Question 5: and to quickly rebound, what moment did it make you realize things were on the upswing?

The Miracle on the Bluff ignited belief, but defeating Texas A&M brought another level of confidence in the program’s future. It was like watching a really good magic trick. How did Steve Roberts do that?

Question 6: Thoughts when you discovered we were retiring the Indians mascot? (and please say you weren't the contingent that was in support of "skeeters, peckers or engines")

I was all in on retiring Running Joe and the Noble Native American Head. To me, the mascot represented years of bitter struggle with few rewards. (Older fans disagree, for they remember the glory years in the 70s and 80s.) The process was intriguing and creative. It generated energy. My brother (Rex Steele) suggested The Mustard Gas. “We float into your city…and destroy you.”  Personally, I was keen on revisiting a former choice, The Gorillas. Everyone is afraid of gorillas. Mostly, I just didn’t want something passive and dumb, like The Ridge Runners. When the current mascot, The Red Wolves, was unveiled, I was conflicted. Jonesboro isn’t exactly teeming with wolves. But it’s useful. You can do stuff with it. Wolves are about teamwork and family. They can be fast and fierce. Best of all, we won as Red Wolves.

question 7: Quick hits on Larry Lacewell, Steve Roberts, Gus Malzahn, Hugh Freeze, Bryan Harsin, Terry Mohajir and your choice on an individual most important to ASTATE athletics Question

I named the concrete wolf in my backyard “Larry.” Every college football program needs a benchmark. Lacewell is a figure who tethers us to a past we remember fondly.

Steve Roberts is the architect of modern A-State football.. He was a master recruiter and the maestro of some of the program's most iconic wins. We owe him reverence.

Hugh Freeze was the controlled explosion that ignited the atomic blast.. He showed us what a little creativity and ambition can do for a small conference program.

I’m actually a big fan of Gus Malzahn. His hire is what launched A-State Fan Rules. Suddenly, the Red Wolves were being discussed on ESPN and, oddly, our own state newspaper. His defection hurt, but in a way, it was necessary.

I liked the idea of Bryan Harsin – young, offensive minded, hungry, and a fine pedigree. He never seemed to warm up to Red Wolves fans. I’d have liked to have had more seasons with Harsin, but I was not particularly devastated to see him move north.

Nobody believes in Arkansas State more than Terry Mohajir. God help us should evil forces mind a way to weaponize Mohajir’s energy and passion. He’s the Madman With the Plan.

Terry is critical to A-State’s future. Lose him, and we risk losing a great deal of momentum, enthusiasm, imagination and hope.

8: How would you describe the AState fandom and what can be done to further grow it (particuarly outside of northeast arkansas?)

I started A-State Fan Rules because I thought Red Wolves fans were unsophisticated amateurs. But I was terribly, horribly, condescendingly wrong. We just needed to believe in something. A-State fans are loyal, passionate fans who refuse to “know their role.” I love them all.

To grow the fan base, we must think of ourselves as the university’s ambassadors. People want to belong to something. As fans, we can  show that we belong to something special just by treating opponents with respect or being respectfully passionate on social media. Hell, wearing the right school’s merchandise to games was a great start. We are the ad campaign. We are fan recruiters. We are responsible for growth.

Question 9: What other teams/sports are you a fan of?

I love the Memphis Grizzlies and grew up with the St. Louis Cardinals. The US Olympic team always makes me proud.

Question 10: Why do you feel your contributions to Astate is best suited in blogging?

I’m not wealthy, so I can’t buy Arkansas State a new baseball stadium. I’m not connected, so I can’t influence legislation to be more fair to my program. What I can do is share my passion for Arkansas State. If what I write manages to stoke more of that passion, then I’ve made some kind of difference.

Thanks Jeremy for kicking this series off in your usual twisted yet candid nature! As we wind this blog down, I think their is only ONE fitting way to conclude it, and that is to say Rulez should reconsider his apparent past dabbling as a cowboy...

FILL IN THE BLANK!!

So let me lay out how this crazy blog post came about....


I was at work see... (which you can clearly see below)...

As you can clearly tell, I was hard at work...trying to think yet another swazzy blog.

I had contemplated doing a "Round the Belt" report, but really didn't feel the motivation to write about all the racking injuries that seem to be piling up at many of the Belter schools.


Suddenly, with really no epiphany whatsoever besides of how completely random I am, I suddenly came up with a brilliantly stupid idea!!!

 
(Yes...goofy face and all bestowed upon my face just like above....maybe the finger was a tad dramatic)


How about I come up with a few questions, jot them down and then scribble the Sunbelt playing football schools on a separate pieces of paper and have to answer what question I draw alongside the university!!

I AM......A GENIUS. A BLOGGING GENIUS.


And before you EVEN WONDER if I actually did it....

So, after coming up with what I felt were some fun, interesting questions I put them in my trusty bucket hat, and the schools into another hat....

Their's only one rule: No matter how I much I may disagree with the question/fill in the blank statement, I have to try my best to make a compelling argument or justification to whatever I draw!

So, with further adieu....the inaugural "Fill in the Blank Blog!"




Question #1:
This team will Surprise because...?

Team pulled from hat...
Georgia Southern


Interesting...alright then.

As many that read my stuff are aware, the Eagles brought in Tyson Summers to replace the departing Willie Fritz during the offseason, and while many pundits feel like the Eagles are around the top three-four spots in the Sunbelt, many question whether Statesboro (with its fanatical fanbase and high expectations) was the right place to begin your first head coaching gig (Summers has had many stints at various assistant and position spots throughout the college football landscape but never a head coaching job).

We Red Wolves fans are all too familiar with hiring individuals with little to no head coaching experience whatsoever; Hugh Freeze, Gus Malzahn and Bryan Harsin ALLLLLL got their first collegiate head coaching opportunity in Jonesboro (Unlike Freeze and Malzahn, Harsin didn't have any high school head coaching experience!).

All three combined went 26-10 with three Sunbelt Crowns at Astate.

                                         (that's a stoic pic...)

Now don't get me wrong, Summers and company have a mighty challenging schedule this upcoming 2016 (road games at Western Michigan, Arkansas State, Georgia Tech, and Ole Miss) and only three home games on Saturday, it might be asking a bit much to make a run at the Belt this season; but with eight returning offensive that helped lead the Eagles nationally in rushing last year, you certainly can't count out Tyson Summers and the Statesboro crew.


Question #2:
First Thoughts/Impressions of________

Team Chosen from the almighty hat....
Texas State

Alright I can dig!

When the mass exodus occurred late 2012 early 2013 and the Belt lost five teams (among them being North Texas) my anger and doubt about the longevity for the future of the conference really threw heavy on me; particularly, the lost of North Texas, who despite not amounting to a llama's tit in nearly ten years had been the original perennial power and face of the 'Belt during its infant years.

However, Texas State came on board and after some initial research and reading I immediately thought "Well hell yes! Bring on the Bobcats! Screw the Greenies!" Here's why I say that...

• Texas State University is the fourth largest university in the state of Texas (nearly 40,000 in enrollment)
• The Bobcats boast the highest athletic budget in the Sunbelt ($34.5 million) and nearly $3 million more than UNT.
• Among the many academic recognitions' the university has received, this past February... " The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching classified Texas State University under “Doctoral Universities: Higher Research Activity,” its second-highest designation for research institutions." (from their website).

(letting graduates and undergrads float and jump in the river on campus I feel is an uber bonus)

Now, has the football team made a humongous splash in the three season they've competed in the Sunbelt? Ehhh...not necessarily. However, make no mistake the Bobcats program has EVERYTHING it needs to not only be successful, but ridiculously scary successful. They just need to establish the right coaching staff and they very well may have hired the right head man to do just that in Everett Withers (who has known success at every head coaching stint he's had).


Question #3:
______'s logo is friggin' sweet because....


Team picked to have the flippin' best mascot ever is: (I ruled Astate out of this question)
Georgia State





............................................................

...Ok...I can do this....

If you're going to have a rather generic mascot (such as a Panther) that doesn't necessarily mean it has to look like your average, run of the mill Panther right? Of course not!

In such a case, you've gotta make your particular panther stand out and for much of their history Georgia State has done just that.

First off, Definitely DEFINITELY like their current Panther from their older incarnation, which might lead some to believe the pink panther has a dastardly half brother, blue panther...

 

While their current Panther certainly isn't realistic (nor is it trying to be) it offers a sense of realism with a touch of playful creativity. For instance, look at the ears...

Anyone that over indulges in Animal Planet knows that when any putty tat's ears are tilted down and/or side ways, they are PISSED...

Yet as we can see above, that frightfully horrifying panther is black; by making your mascot/logo blue you help tone down the scariness and make it more marketable to your fanbase and more importantly, the children.


I'm gonna admit....I'm really a standstill at this point. Oh hey my coworker David just walked in, I'll ask him.

DAVID COME HERE!!!

(David walks over)

ME: What do you think of this Panther?
David: I kinda like it looking at it at first glance...the blue on black is really neato.
Me: Neato?
David: Yeah! I dunno about the ears. Feel like they should be pointed up more.
Me: (Scroll back up to the pissed off panther) But this pissed off panther's ears are tilted down and stuff.
David: Well, shouldn't that Panther's ears in the logo be more flipped backwards and not sideways?
Me: .....

(David slowly leaves the office area silently and awkwardly).



Lets move on!


Question 4:
Team That Will Disappoint?

Team selected:
Appalachian State (Swear on the Key Lime Pie sitting in my freezer at home I legitimately pulled this!)


So the Mountaineers are coming into this 2016 season with a TON of mighty high expectations; can they top the 11-2 season they had last year? I don't think so...

Yeah, yeah I realize that they return 9 starters on defense along with their dynamic duo on offense quarterback Taylor Lamb and running back Marcus Cox among everything else they have; however, while they do drop Clemson from the slate (whew!) they also drop a pitiful Campbell Fighting Camels and a Wyoming squad that went 2-10 last year and pick up a Tennessee Volunteer team looking to make some noise in the SEC championship race, the Miami Hurricanes and an Akron Zip team looking to build on the surprising 8-5 season they had before; even Old Dominion appears to be more competitive on paper than their 2015 counterparts.

On the flipside, the Sunbelt slate once again appears pretty manageable for the Mountaineers, but keep in mind App needed three overtimes to beat an eventual 4-8 Troy squad in Boone and were very lucky to beat South Al in Mobile to conclude the regular 2015 season.

Oh, least we forget the real spoiler last season.....

All it could take is just that ONE Sunbelt conference game that could make or break the Mountaineers year. I won't go far as to say they'll fully collapse, but It wouldn't surprise me in the least bit if they wound up with three regular season losses-and I'm sure for many Mountaineer fans that would be very disappointing.




Question #5:
________ Have the Best schedule! 


Team chosen by the all mighty baseball cap:
Louisiana...(at Lafayette)

Well let's take a look at the Cajuns slate first off...(from fbsschedules.com)

Saturday Sep. 3		Boise State Broncos  Cajun Field, Lafayette, LA	11:00am CT ASN/ESPN3	Buy Tickets
Saturday Sep. 10		McNeese State Cowboys  Cajun Field, Lafayette, LA	6:00pm CT ESPN3	Buy Tickets
Saturday Sep. 17		South Alabama Jaguars Cajun Field, Lafayette, LA	6:00pm CT ESPN3	Buy Tickets
Saturday Sep. 24		at Tulane Green Wave Yulman Stadium, New Orleans, LA	6 or 7pm CT TV TBA	Buy Tickets
Saturday Oct. 1		at New Mexico State Aggies  Aggie Memorial Stadium, Las Cruces, NM	7:00pm CT TV TBA	Buy Tickets
Saturday Oct. 8	---	OFF	---	---
Wednesday Oct. 12		Appalachian State Mountaineers Cajun Field, Lafayette, LA	7:00pm CT ESPN2	Buy Tickets
Saturday Oct. 22		at Texas State Bobcats  Bobcat Stadium, San Marcos, TX	6:00pm CT TV TBA	Buy Tickets
Saturday Oct. 29	---	OFF	---	---
Saturday Nov. 5		Idaho Vandals (HC) Cajun Field, Lafayette, LA	4:00pm CT TV TBA	Buy Tickets
Thursday Nov. 10		at Georgia Southern Eagles Paulson Stadium, Statesboro, GA	6:30pm CT ESPNU	Buy Tickets
Saturday Nov. 19		at Georgia Bulldogs  Sanford Stadium, Athens, GA	TBA	Buy Tickets
Saturday Nov. 26		Arkansas State Red Wolves Cajun Field, Lafayette, LA	TBA	Buy Tickets
Saturday Dec. 3		at ULM Warhawks  Malone Stadium, Monroe, LA	2:00pm CT TV TBA	Buy Tickets

Make no mistake the trip to Athens and hosting a very potent Boise State squad in Lafayette is going to be tough; however if you're a believer in "Trap Games" then the date against the Cajuns screams it for Georgia; the 'Dawgs host Auburn a week prior to their match-up against the Cajuns and then a week later Georgia will host their bitter in state rivals Georgia Tech. As for Boise State, the Broncos have two big time games looming the following two weeks against Washington State and at Oregon State; the Broncos maybe looking ahead to notching up some nice resume wins for the Playoff Committee and the Cajuns may once again be able to catch Boise looking ahead.

Take those two games away, and all around you have a pretty manageable slate; Cajuns do have to play the top three teams in the belt (Appalachian State, Arkansas State & Georgia Southern) but Lafayette does get two of those at Cajun Field; furthermore, the flipside of their Out of Conference schedule pits them against McNeese State (who lost their head coach Matt Viator to ULM) and a Tulane squad that will be using 2016 to lay the foundation of Willie Fritz' system (a semi pistol/shotgun-esque formation) which will more than likely not be in full swing by September 24th. The remaining for SBC games on the road (NMSU, Texas State, Georgia Southern and ULM) all combined for a 17-33 record last season (the Eagles were the only ones with a winning record of 9-4).

All in all, when you're football team coming off a very disappointing 4-8 season and you're looking for a solid rebound year, this the type of schedule you'd like.



Question #6:
One very cool aspect about _______ I like is _________

SCHOOL!!.....
Idaho


You know, believe it or not this is actually a pretty easy answer for me!

I have always had this strange fascination with the Kibbie Dome; it's just so....Kibbie and Doomeey.

Practically speaking, very cool you NEVER have to worry about the weather and it appears their's not a bad seat in the house. What they may lack in amenities they make up for in its quirky charm and big ass roof!

I think it's pretty interesting that when first constructed, the stadium was an outdoor venue; not only that but was conceptualized to have a capacity of 23,000 spectators. Due to various factors (budget cuts, outside influences etc), officials changed the scope of the project and the Kibbie Dome was born!

While the future of the Vandal football program appears bleak for many in Moscow, a small comfort might be taken in the fact that Idaho will add their dome with the three other enclosed structures that are used by three other universities to play football in.



Question #7:
Any Fond Memories of _________?

*OH CRAP! I SHOOK THE HAT TOO HARD!!*

....looking around find...ahh! here's one piece of paper!

...Troy!....

Ahh shoot. I was afraid that was going to happen...


First, lets start with this...

Ahh...sophomore in college Jake (totally cool right?)

This was taken in November of 2008; the then Indians, despite being 6-5, was 5-2 in conference play and if they could knock off the Trojans at home could force a share of the conference title and MAYBE just maybe...secure a bowl game.

Troy absolutely CRUSHED Arkansas State, 35-9.

As Troy celebrated their first outright Sunbelt title on the field, with the confetti flying and everybody moshing and hugging, the fans yelling in the stands, raising their hands in the air, jubliant in victory (some using their other hand to extend a certain finger at the Astate players walking off the field). I stood along the sidelines, just stunned and really testing my moment of my fandom to Arkansas State when it hit me...


....a flipping hotdog hit me right in the back of the head by a drunk Troy student.

I immediately exited the field and walked toward the tour buses a group of fans had rented for the game.

This story does have a happy conclusion; the nice couple that had secured the bus also has procured several bottles of champagne, anticipating celebrating a victory. Myself along with a buddy and two young couple we had met on the trip helped relieve the organizers of several bottles of their champagne as we journeyed the 7 1/2 hours back to Jonesboro.


Was it a fond story? Nope. But in hindsight things have turned out pretty well for the Red Wolves (not so much for Troy) but I did like their stadium!

                               (a player for Astate had forgot their helmet in Jonesboro, and I
                                  was given the task of bringing it to Troy with me.)





Friends, that concludes the questions I had come up with for this first edition of "Fill in the Blanks"
I hope some found this entertaining (if any found this informative, my apologies).


I certainly not all the Belt schools were touched upon, but if this turns out to be a popular post I will certainly write a follow up with even more bold, bizarre fill in the blank questions to conclude this other wise wacky endeavor.

Can the 'Belt Fill It's Five Guaranteed Bowl Sports in 2016?

When the Sun Belt Conference first formed as a football sponsoring league in 2001, it was compromised of mostly then Division I-AA transfers and former Big West Members needing a new football home. As a newly formed Division I football conference, the 'Belt had no guaranteed bowl tie ins whatsoever. Former commissioner Wright Waters was able to strike a deal with the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation to help establish and sponsor a bowl game that would host the SBC champion (the New Orleans Bowl).

For nearly 10 years, the New Orleans Bowl was the only bowl tie in the SBC had; finally in 2010, the Sun Belt was able to strike a deal with the GMAC Bowl to become the second exclusive tie in for the 'Belt.

Fast forward another five years later and the Sun Belt Conference will be entering the 2016 season with five guaranteed bowl tie ins for its 11 members; considering the lowly beginnings and rocky transitioning the conference faced throughout the years, this feat is quite incredible. The question though is can the SBC actually fill it's five bowl slots?

First, lets take a look at how many teams became bowl eligible throughout the seasons...

2003-1
2004-1
2005-2
2006-4
2007-3
2008-4
2009-4
2010-3
2011-4
2012-5
2013-7
2014-*6 (Ga. Southern & App State were still in transitioning period and were not allowed to go bowling unless bowl slots couldn't be filled with contractual tie ins)
2015-4


So, for the last thirteen seasons, the Sun Belt has, on average, had around 4 teams eligible for bowl games; a trend you noticed has been for the most part the league has been able to increase its numbers of bowl eligible teams as the seasons have gone on, which definitely bodes well when it comes to fulfilling its bowl slots. To give the league credit, it certainly took its time and waited for the seemingly right times to negotiate adding more guaranteed games beginning in the '10s (where so far the conference hasn't fell below less than three eligible teams and hasn't done so since 2005).

Next, we obviously have to take the entire SBC's members schedules into consideration (courtesy of FBS Schedules).

Just glancing at the Belters schedules (particularly the OOC slates) and I see quite a bit of teams that, at best, have a shot at going 2-2; App, Georgia Southern, Idaho, Texas State and ULM have pretty brutal non-conference match ups. With only one "money game", two G5 opponents and an FCS, Arkansas State to me has a really solid chance at going 3-1 early on (however on the flip side have to travel on the road four out of the last five games of the season). Troy, Lafayette and Georgia State also has favorable non conference games and it could come down to how well or poor those three do that will decide whether league fulfills or falls short of sending teams to its contractual bowls.

Looking at what some of the national pundits predict,  Collegefootballnews.com thinks Five teams will be bowl eligible, whereas Athlon has even higher expectations projecting six teams eligible.  Underdog's mother site SBNation.com has a little bit lower expectations for the league as a whole.




All in all, I think the league securing itself five bowl games was a positive move for the Belt; getting itself up with comparable numbers with its fellow mid major conferences bowl tie ins definitely will help with outside perception, however i'm not entirely sold on whether SBC can fulfill its allotment. The key is going to be how well the Belters perform in their non conference games and keep in mind last season, the Sun Belt was dead last among the Group of 5 in terms of Out of Conference wins (only racking up 16 and losing over 30).

Key Games for the Div. I Arkansas Schools in 2016

Believe it or not, we're just a little over a month away from having college football back into our lives and the stacks couldn't be hire for the four Division I teams in the Natural State...

• It's year number four of the Bielema era and despite the seemingly huge odds Big Bret has shown improvement each of the previous seasons (starting his first year at 3-9 overall with an 0-8 league mark to last year ending the '15 season at 8-5 overall, 5-3 in SEC play). Despite losing stud offensive players in QB Brandon Allen, TE Hunter Henry and RB Alex Collins, many pundits still peg this to be Bielma's best team in his tenure; with a schedule including a trip to TCU, as well as hosting perenial powers like Alabama, Florida, LSU and an ever fiesty Ole Miss it'll be interesting to see if BB's 2016 Hogs can live up to the relatively high expectations. Speaking of high expectations...
• 
  
• ...In just two seasons as the head man in Jonesboro, Blake Anderson was able to get the Red Wolves back into dominating form, completely steam rolling through conference play and winning another outright sunbelt title (the program's fourth in the last five years). As impressive as 2015 was for Astate, the season started off rough for the Pack (starting September 1-3 with the lone win coming against a bad Missouri State team) and then getting thrashed by Louisiana Tech 47-28 in the New Orleans Bowl certainly left a bad taste in everyone's mouths to end the '15 season; Now with over 10 Power 5 transfers added throughout the last year to the program (ranging from former Pitt QB Chad Voytik to Arkansas' own Kendrick Edwards though he'll have to sit this season out) Anderson and crew looks certainly has made it clear they're playing for absolute keeps in 2016, and with a schedule that only has one P5 date (an iffy looking Auburn squad) and no Appalchian State to battle with, 2016 certainly appears to be yet another big season for Arkansas State.

• This will also be year three for Steve Campbell in Conway; the head bear began his tenure in 2014 with a 6-6 overall record, 5-3 in Southland play; the Bears showed progress last season improving their overall mark to 7-4 and posting a 7-2 league record. UCA fans are certainly hoping this will be the year Coach Campbell can get the Bears back to the postseason for the first time since the 2011 season, and getting their first three games of the season all at home certainly can help Central Arkansas' playoff aspirations go a long way.

• The Golden Lions were on cloud nine in 2012; originally picked third in the SWAC Western Division (and Fifth overall) in the Coaches preseason poll, Monte Coleman did the improbable and led UAPB to their first SWAC Championship (and second overall since 1966). However, just as joyous as the '12 season was, fast forward almost four years later and the Golden Lions have fallen immediately back on hard times, winning a mere eight games out of their last 33.The outlook for 2016 looks pretty grim for UAPB, being voted dead last in both the SWAC's Western Division as well as the league overall. 

With the storylines in mind, lets check out the team's schedules for the upcoming season and discuss which game will be the key games for each Arkansas team.

 

                                                             Arkansas Razorbacks

                                                          Key Game: Texas  A&M (Dallas)

To start off the month of September, the Hogs open up with Louisiana Tech, TCU and Texas State. Come the September 24th date against the Aggies in Dallas, Arkansas will most certainly be coming into Cowboys Stadium with a 2-1 mark; if the Razorbacks can somehow pull of the upset against TCU, this makes the game against A&M that much more critical. While October will still be a helluva month for the Hogs, if Arkansas can enter the Alabama game sitting at 3-1, it'll help shake off the "slow start" mantra that has haunted Bret Bielema and crew, not to mention end the four game skid the Razorbacks currently have suffered against A&M. 

 

                                                             2016 Razorbacks Schedule             

Saturday Sep. 3		Louisiana Tech Bulldogs  D.W.R. Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, AR	3:00pm CT SECN	Buy Tickets
Saturday Sep. 10		at TCU Horned Frogs  Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, TX	6:00pm CT ESPN/ESPN2	Buy Tickets
Saturday Sep. 17		Texas State Bobcats  D.W.R. Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, AR	6:30pm CT SECN Alt.	Buy Tickets
Saturday Sep. 24		at Texas A&M Aggies  AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX	TBA	Buy Tickets
Saturday Oct. 1		Alcorn State Braves War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock, AR	TBA	Buy Tickets
Saturday Oct. 8		Alabama Crimson Tide  D.W.R. Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, AR	TBA	Buy Tickets
Saturday Oct. 15		Ole Miss Rebels  D.W.R. Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, AR	TBA	Buy Tickets
Saturday Oct. 22		at Auburn Tigers  Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, AL	TBA	Buy Tickets
Saturday Oct. 29	---	OFF	---	---
Saturday Nov. 5		Florida Gators  D.W.R. Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, AR	TBA	Buy Tickets
Saturday Nov. 12		LSU Tigers  D.W.R. Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, AR	TBA	Buy Tickets
Saturday Nov. 19		at Mississippi State Bulldogs  Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville, MS	TBA	Buy Tickets
Saturday Nov. 26		at Missouri Tigers  Faurot Field, Columbia, MO	1:30pm CT CBS	Buy Tickets

                                                         Arkansas State Red Wolves

  

                                                        Key Game: Georgia Southern

When looking at the 2016 schedule for the Red Wolves, it would certainly appear to shape up nicely for Astate; only one "money game" against Auburn, two OOC games against a retooling Toledo and rebuilding Utah State squads and to top it all off no Appalachian State (which based on many pre season predictions seem to be the heavy favorites for SBC Champs). The two seemingly tough games on Astate's schedule would appear to be against '14 champs Georgia Southern and traveling to Lafayette. While the Red Wolves certainly have struggled to win in Cajun land (only winning there once in the last 14 years) the match up against Louisiana-Lafayette isn't until the second to last game of the season; The Eagles on the other hand is the first conference date for Astate on national tv; it's going to be huge for both teams, however if Arkansas State can get the win, it's almost probable they'll run through the next 4 SBC games to be 5-0 in conference come their November 17th trip to Troy (which certainly looks to be vastly improved in 2016). 

                                                              Red Wolves 2016 Schedule

Friday Sep. 2		Toledo Rockets  Centennial Bank Stadium, Jonesboro, AR	8:00pm CT ESPNU	Buy Tickets
Saturday Sep. 10		at Auburn Tigers  Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, AL	6:30pm CT SECN	Buy Tickets
Saturday Sep. 17		at Utah State Aggies  Maverik Stadium, Logan, UT	8:00pm CT CBSSN	Buy Tickets
Saturday Sep. 24		Central Arkansas Bears  Centennial Bank Stadium, Jonesboro, AR	TBA	Buy Tickets
Saturday Oct. 1	---	OFF	---	---
Wednesday Oct. 5		Georgia Southern Eagles Centennial Bank Stadium, Jonesboro, AR	7:00pm CT ESPN2	Buy Tickets
Saturday Oct. 15		South Alabama Jaguars (HC) Centennial Bank Stadium, Jonesboro, AR	TBA	Buy Tickets
Saturday Oct. 22	---	OFF	---	---
Saturday Oct. 29		ULM Warhawks  Centennial Bank Stadium, Jonesboro, AR	TBA	Buy Tickets
Thursday Nov. 3		at Georgia State Panthers Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA	6:30pm CT ESPNU	Buy Tickets
Saturday Nov. 12		New Mexico State Aggies  Centennial Bank Stadium, Jonesboro, AR	TBA	Buy Tickets
Thursday Nov. 17		at Troy Trojans  Veterans Memorial Stadium, Troy, AL	8:30pm CT ESPNU	Buy Tickets
Saturday Nov. 26		at UL Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns  Cajun Field, Lafayette, LA	TBA	Buy Tickets
Saturday Dec. 3		at Texas State Bobcats  Bobcat Stadium, San Marcos, TX

                                                              Central Arkansas Bears

                                                             Key Game: Samford 

When going over UCA's past couple of seasons, one of the key things that stuck out to me was the Bears mediocre showing it had against fellow FCS opponents in out of conference play; since 2013 the bears have gone 3-4, one of those being a 45-16 thrashing UCA took at Samford last season. Much like the NCAA basketball tourney, in the FCS world it's all about winning your conference title to get into the FCS football playoffs. If you don't win it, the next best thing you can do is win your non conference games. In fact, many pointed to the Samford lost as keeping the Bears out of postseason play last year; with not only revenge on UCA's mind, but the fact that their only other OOC game is slated against Arkansas State, that September 10th game could once again decide whether UCA can break their playoff appearance drought

                                                                UCA 2016 Schedule

09.01.16

6:00 P.M.

SOUTHLAND

HOUSTON BAPTIST UNIVERSITY

CONWAY

ESTES STADIUM

GAME PREVIEW

09.10.16

6PM

SAMFORD UNIVERSITY

CONWAY

ESTES STADIUM

FAMILY DAY

09.17.16

6PM

SOUTHLAND

NORTHWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY

CONWAY

ESTES STADIUM

HALL OF FAME / BAND DAY

09.24.16

TBA

ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY

JONESBORO, AR

10.01.16

2:30PM

SOUTHLAND

ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY

ABILENE, TX

10.08.16

OPEN

10.15.16

6PM

SOUTHLAND

MCNEESE STATE UNIVERSITY

LAKE CHARLES, LA

10.22.16

6PM

SOUTHLAND

LAMAR UNIVERSITY

CONWAY

ESTES STADIUM

HOMECOMING

10.29.16

TBA

SOUTHLAND

SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA UNIVERSITY

HAMMOND, LA

11.05.16

3PM

SOUTHLAND

STEPHEN F. AUSTIN

NACOGDOCHES, TX

11.12.16

3PM

SOUTHLAND

NICHOLLS STATE UNIVERSITY

CONWAY

ESTES STADIUM

MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY / SENIOR DAY

11.19.16

TBA

SOUTHLAND

SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY

HUNTSVILLE, TX

  

ARKANSAS PINE BLUFF GOLDEN LIONS

                                                       Key Game: Alabama A&M 

It's been mighty tough goings for Monte Coleman and the Golden Lions. And the 2016 schedule for UAPB certainly doesn't offer any breaks for the squad; By the time their homecoming match up against the Alabama A&M Bulldogs comes around in middle October, it'll be only their second home game of the season (they do have a neutral site matchup against Jackson State in Little Rock on September 24th). The Golden Lions and Bulldogs have been pretty competitive against one another, alternating wins and losses against one another since 2008 (also keep in mind the home team has won eight out of the last nine times). With three of their remaining five games on the road after Homecoming, if the Lions want to have any chance at a successful season they've got to come up with the 'W' against A&M. 

                                                              UAPB 2016 Schedule

BIG JOHN MERRITT CLASSIC

09.03.16

6 P.M.

TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY

NASHVILLE, TENN.

NISSAN STADIUM

TV:

RADIO: KUAP 89.7 FM

09.10.16

6 P.M.

OKLAHOMA PANHANDLE STATE UNIVERSITY

PINE BLUFF, ARK.

GOLDEN LION STADIUM

RADIO: KUAP 89.7 FM

09.15.16

TBA

SWAC

ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY

ALCORN STATE, MISS.

JACK SPINKS- MARINO CASEM STADIUM

RADIO: KUAP 89.7 FM

09.24.16

4 P.M.

SWAC

JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY

LITTLE ROCK, ARK.

WAR MEMORIAL STADIUM

RADIO: KUAP 89.7 FM

10.01.16

2 P.M.

SWAC

ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY

MONTGOMERY, ALA.

NEW ASU STADIUM

RADIO: KUAP 89.7 FM

HOMECOMING

10.15.16

2:30 P.M.

SWAC

ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY

PINE BLUFF, ARK.

GOLDEN LION STADIUM

RADIO: KUAP 89.7 FM

10.22.16

4 P.M.

SWAC

SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY

BATON ROUGE, LA.

A.W. MUMFORD STADIUM

RADIO: KUAP 89.7 FM

10.29.16

TBA

SWAC

GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY

GRAMBLING, LA.

EDDIE G. ROBINSON STADIUM

RADIO: KUAP 89.7 FM

11.05.16

2:30 P.M.

SWAC

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE

PINE BLUFF, ARK.

GOLDEN LION STADIUM

RADIO: KUAP 89.7 FM

11.12.16

2 P.M.

SWAC

TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY

HOUSTON, TEXAS

BBVA COMPASS STADIUM

RADIO: KUAP 89.7 FM

SENIOR DAY/CHURCH DAY

11.19.16

2:30 P.M.

SWAC

PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY