Sun Belt Preview

By Steve Herzog
Don Best Associate Editor

Life is not easy for programs in the Sun Belt Conference. These teams are always whipping boys for the BCS conferences and that shows in the scheduling as teams in this conference will play far more games on the road than at home. While constantly finishing behind the SEC in terms of publicity and recruiting, one win against a big school can make a Sun Belt team's program. Once again in 2008 the Sun Belt will be among the worst conferences in the nation but there are some talented teams in the top half of the conference that could surprise.

Florida Atlantic
Projected Record (8-4, 6-1)- The Owls are clearly the class of the Sun Belt and they have one huge advantage over their conference rivals, their coach. Ageless Howard Schnellenberger has led Florida Atlantic since the program's inception in 2001 and guided them to their first bowl game, a 44-27 win over Memphis at the New Orleans Bowl, and an 8-5 overall record last season. Ten starters are back on offense and eight on defense, so the Owls should be even more formidable this season. The problem for Florida Atlantic is their schedule. They play only four true home games and their season begins with four of their first five games on the road including trips to Texas, Michigan State and Minnesota, who will be looking for revenge after the Owls beat them last season. Offensively FAU averaged 33.2 points per game and should be even more explosive with 1st team All-SBC quarterback Rusty Smith back for his junior year. On defense, Freshman All-American cornerback Tavious Polo led the team with seven interceptions and is back for his sophomore season. The Owls will not sneak up on opponents as they did last season but they have enough talent to compete with anyone in the country. They could make a bid for the Top 25 if they can win some of their tough non-conference road games.

Troy
Projected Record (7-5, 5-2)- Few programs in the Sun Belt have been as dangerous as Troy over the last few years and they were solid once again in 2007, going 8-4. Unfortunately for the Trojans they lost their last game of the season to Florida Atlantic and, in doing so, lost the conference title and a bowl bid. Despite their solid record, the Trojans did not play in a bowl game and have lost a ton of talent from last year's team. The offense will miss versatile signal caller Omar Haugabook and leading rusher Kenny Cattouse while the defense will be without first round NFL draft pick Leodis McKelvin. Despite those losses, Troy should be solid once again. The have arguably the best offensive line in the conference and some very talented newcomers to rush the ball. Returning quarterbacks Tanner Jones and Jamie Hampton will compete for playing time behind center. The defense returns seven starters including their top three tacklers. Troy's schedule is brutal with trips to Ohio State, LSU and Oklahoma State but those battles should have them ready to compete with FAU for the conference title.

Louisiana-Monroe
Projected Record (6-6, 4-3)- Quietly, veteran coach Charlie Weatherby has put together a solid Sun Belt program in Louisiana-Monroe. While they will never play for a national title, the Warhawks have shown how competitive they can be. They finished 6-6 last season, including a stunning 21-14 win at Alabama as 24 ½ point underdogs in their 11th game of the season. ULM actually won five of their last six games to close 2007 and could be very dangerous in Sun Belt play this year. They return seven starters on offense including senior quarterback Kinsmon Lancaster. On defense, eight starters are back, including their top four tacklers. Junior free safety Greg James is a player to watch on that unit. He tied for the team lead with five interceptions and also had 77 tackles, second on the squad. Alabama is not on the schedule this season, but there is plenty of SEC flavor with trips to Auburn, Arkansas and Ole Miss. In conference play, they get the two heavyweights, Florida Atlantic and Troy at home, so the Warhawks could make a surprise bid to win the conference if they can pull upsets in those games.

Arkansas State
Projected Record (5-7, 3-4)- The Red Wolves of Arkansas State have been one of the more stable programs in the Sun Belt. Their head coach, Steve Roberts, has been at the helm in Jonesboro for seven years, despite a 31-41 record over that span. First team All-SBC running back Reggie Arnold and left tackle Matt Mandich are back, along with starting quarterback Corey Leonard, so the parts are there for a solid offense. Defensively the Red Wolves look very young and inexperienced with only five starters back from last year. The kicking game should be in very good shape with both kicker Josh Arauco and punter Brett Shrable among the best in the conference. The Red Wolves will go to Texas A&M and Alabama as well as Troy this season but get Florida Atlantic at home on November 22nd, their only home game in their final six contests.

Louisiana- Lafayette
Projected Record (4-8, 3-4)- Normally a 3-9 season is not cause for optimism but when a team wins two of their last three game to get to that 3-9 record it is. The Ragin' Cajuns come into 2008 with eight starters back on offense, including 2-time All-SBC 1st team running back Tyrell Fenroy. The team's top five receivers return, as does senior quarterback Michael Desormeaux. The defense will rely on senior middle linebacker Antwyne Zanders and an experienced secondary because the line looks small and inexperienced. Louisiana Lafayette will have three home games before going on the road for back to back contests at Florida Atlantic and Troy in the middle on November. The Ragin' Cajuns lack of size and experience will doom them to a second division finish.

Middle Tennessee State
Projected Record (4-8, 3-4)- The Blue Raiders have a very young team, returning just six starters on both sides of the ball.Offensively they have experience behind center with both quarterbacks who got extensive time last season are back in senior Joe Craddock and sophomore Dwight Dasher. Dasher was also the team's top rusher. Desmond Gee is the Blue Raiders' most dangerous offensive player, whether at running back, wide out or returning kicks. He should play a big role this season. Defensively they will lean on senior linebacker Lonnie Clemons and cornerback Alex Suber, their top returning tackler. The Blue Raiders are young and will probably have tough time early on as they sort things out. Look for a drop in wins from last year's total.

North Texas
Projected Record (3-9, 2-5)-From 2002 through 2004, North Texas was the best program in the Sun Belt. Over those three seasons the Mean Green went 24-14, no small feat in this conference. In the three seasons since then they've gone 7-28. Last year was the first under head coach Todd Dodge and they went just 2-10, allowing 45 points per game including allowing 66 points at Arkansas and 74 at home against Navy. There are six starters back from that unit but none of the top five tacklers, so there might be reason for hope. On the other side of the ball there is some talent, especially at quarterback where sophomores Giovanni Vizza and Daniel Meager return. The Mean Green also got a big-time recruit at quarterback, the coach's son, Riley Dodge, who was considered a Top 10 recruit by many scouting services. The Mean Green would have to be better defensively than they were last season because they can't be worse but they still have a way to go until the can compete for anything more than an occasional victory.

Florida International
Projected Record (2-10, 1-6)- Florida International may be the worst program in Division I-A football. That is saying a lot but over the last two seasons they are a remarkably awful 1-23, although they are 9-14 against the spread. The Golden Panthers return nine starters on both sides of the ball, 18 in all, but that may not be a good thing. They averaged 17.9 points per game while allowing 39.1 in 2007. FIU opens with road games at Kansas and Iowa before returning home for a game against South Florida, who may be very good this season. While the Golden Panthers should be more competitive this season, they simply don't have a lot of talent. Doubling last year's win total would make this season a success.

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