subject: Sun Belt Conference Football Predictions 2010 [print this page] Sun Belt Conference Football Predictions 2010
Sun Belt Conference Predictions
1. Troy Trojans -Troy lost some key guys off last year's team, with Sun Belt Player of the Year Levi Brown being the biggest loss, but the Trojans will still have an excellent opportunity to win their fifth straight Sun Belt title. They will get stiff competition from Middle Tennessee State, but Troy has had little trouble with the Blue Raiders. The Trojans have defeated MTSU each of the last four seasons during their title spree. One of the best offensive lines in the league and playmakers like Jerrel Jernigan and Shawn Southward should be enough to keep the Trojans at the top.
2. Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders -The Blue Raiders are the most likely team to end Troy's run at the top, but they will have to beat the Trojans in order to do so. They will get that opportunity at home on October 5, but keep in mind that they lost to Troy 7-31 last season. QB Dwight Dasher is the preseason favorite to win Sun Belt Player of the Year honors after throwing for 2,789 yards and rushing for 1,154 yards. In all, he tallied 36 touchdowns. I thought MTSU would have given the Trojans a much better game last season, and that's why I'm reluctant to think they can break through. At the same time, I won't be at all surprised if they win the league.
3. Florida Atlantic Owls - The Owls finished 5-3 in league play in 2009, and I really can't see them doing any better this season. The key to improvement will be the defensive side of the football. The Owls allowed 33.8 points per game last year. With eight starters back the defense should be somewhat improved, but likely not enough to enter the title hunt.
4. Arkansas State Red Wolves - Unlike Troy, who has proven its ability to reload under Larry Blakeney, Arkansas State will have trouble floating the losses of Corey Leonard and Reggie Arnold on the offensive side of the football. The good news is last year's No. 1 ranked defense should remain stout.
5. Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks -The Warhawks will lean on running back Frank Goodin and one of the league's best running attacks, but they will still take a small step back after losing so much on the defensive side of the football.
6. Louisiana-Lafayette Rajin' Cajuns -The Rajin' Cajuns have been on the brink of landing in a bowl game in four of the last five years, but I don't think this will be the season where it finally happens. The Cajuns are one of the weaker offensive teams in the league, and I don't see the offense taking the next step after losing two of the best offensive lineman in the conference.
7. North Texas Mean Green - The Mean Green have the potential to improve on last season's 2-10 showing thanks to a potentially dangerous offense. North Texas ranked fourth in the Sun Belt in scoring in 2009 (26.6 ppg) and even put up 68 and 40 points in a couple different games. But a defense that allowed nearly 36 points per game last season will keep the Green from looking so mean in the bottom half of the league.
8. Florida International Golden Panthers - FIU has struggled under coach Mario Cristobal. In fact, it is only 9-27 during his three seasons at the controls. There just isn't going to be major improvement until the Golden Panthers can get a lot better defensively. The Panthers ranked next to last nationally in total defense in 2009.
9. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers -The Hilltoppers finished 0-12 in their first season in the FBS, but there is excitement entering the 2010 season after the hiring of WKU great Willie Taggart as head coach. The Hilltoppers showed great heart down the stretch in 2009, taking UL Monroe, FAU and Arkansas State right down to the wire. The wins won't start piling up this season, but the Hilltoppers should be a lot more competitive.
Make sure you also check out my 2010 college football predictions to see how I have all the other conferences shaping up.
Start beating the college football odds this season with the help of Jimmy Boyd's expert picks!
