by With the college football world being turned upside down this offseason it is encouraging to see the rise of the newest member of the Power-5: the Sun Belt! Of course, I am exaggerating (only slightly) but the fact remains that the Sun Belt is most definitely the best Group-Of-Five conference in the country now (they were last year too, but now there is no debating it). I am going to be breaking down everything there is to know this year about our favorite group-of-five conference… THE FUN BELT… buckle up!
Ima be honest, I can give you my predictions, but this conference is too chaotic and unpredictable to legitimately say who’s gonna do what, so ima break the teams up into tiers.
The Contenders:
These are of course the teams that I legitimately think can take the conference.
Coastal Carolina — The Chants are back and better than ever despite what the media wants to tell you. Under the new regime led by former NC State OC Tim Beck, the Chants look to continue the success they had under Jamey Chadwell. Well, the Chants in my opinion, won the off-season when they managed to keep Legendary QB Grayson McCall and stud freshman WR Jared Brown. And don’t get it twisted, McCall did not only stay because of his grades, he graduated with a 3.0, it was the fact that Auburn did not have a graduate program for his degree so his credits would’ve been messed up causing him to be ineligible and new HC, Hugh Freeze was trying to pull as many strings as he could, whether or not it was against the rules or not. McCall did not like that/him and decided to stay where he’s a legend… getting back to the football though, the Offense will be a more traditional style offense & the defense has a new DC which means it will 100% be better because Chad Stags was HORRIBLE, and it is addition by subtraction. As long as #10 is under center, I firmly believe the Chants will be in contention for yet another SBC title this year!
App State — coming off of your worst season since joining the Sun Belt. Losing your starting QB and bell cow running back is not ideal… but adding to your O-Line with Georgia transfer Griffin Scruggs certainly helps! Them being able to run the ball has always been their catalyst for success! Can a trio of Nate Noel, Ahmani Marshall & Maquel Haywood take them back to the promise land? App caught a break with their 2 SBC-West teams in ULM & Southern Miss, so the stage will be set for them on October 2nd when Coastal comes to town! I believe the winner of that game ends up winning the gauntlet of the SBC-East!
Marshall — For Marshall it is very simple… stay healthy and RIDE RASHEEN ALI TILL THE BREAKS FALL OFF! The 2nd best player in the Sun Belt, Ali is coming off a an injury plagued season in which he only suited up for 3 games… if he can play all 12, the The Herd look like a scary team in the East. Although drawing South Alabama this year, The Herd should be in the thick of things!
Troy — Any surprise here that defending champs are back and yet again contenders? No? Didn’t think so. Troy’s defense was smothering last year and more of the same is expected with returning stars; TJ Jackson, Richard Jibunor and Javon Simpson. The Offense shouldn’t have to score much, so if the O-Line can protect 6th year QB Gunnar Watson, I do not see why Troy does
not come out of the West again!
South Alabama — USA! USA! (Sorry, had to get the chant going). The jags came off of an impressive 10-3 season that ended… unexpectedly in the New Orleans Bowl getting the breaks beat off them by WKU… That being said consistency in the defense and run game will be critical! The 2 times the Jags failed to rush for at least 100 yards… 0-2, the 3 times the D played poorly 0-3… it’s not rocket science from them. They’re returning (essentially) everyone, so I don’t think it’s out of the question to say this team, if they play to their potential in every game, could finish with 12+ wins this year and I am so serious about that!
Dark Horses:
These teams with a good run (and some luck), could win their division/the conference. But they most certainly can and will ruin at least 1 team’s season:
Georgia Southern — The Eagles are definitely an interesting team. Although I love what Clay Helton and company are building down there in Statesboro, I have to ask myself this: “Can this team really beat Marshall, App State, Coastal and JMU?” Individually, yes. But are they going 4- 0 against them? I mean they could I would bet they go 2-2 at best though and that’s not even mentioning Georgia State or Texas State either. Simply put I don’t think this team can win the east, but they can definitely play spoiler. This team is the Purdue of the G5.
Southern Miss — IF Frank Gore Jr. is able to win the SBC Player of the Year award Southern Miss can win the West… I don’t think he will, but if anyone can unseat McCall from the top it’s him (or Ali) I know that isn’t much of a preview, but this team will go as far as Gore Jr. Can carry them it’s that simple.
Louisiana — Them Cajuns always seem to be competitive, don’t they? My biggest concern with them is their O-Line.. it was a “work in progress” for sure last year. I am expecting them to improve? Yes, but it’s how much. I’m not too high on the running back position as a whole (pro OL) but Dre’lyn Washington and Terrence Williams are a good (not great) duo. If the O-Line continues to suck… this team will not win 6 games, but if they’re good they can compete for a West title!
Wild Cards:
These couple teams are literally just SO UNPREDICTABLE, that I could see them losing 8+ games and also winning 8+ games. It’s wild:
James Madison — JMU took the FBS by storm last season, however, they lost *count ‘em* 28 SENIORS from last year’s team! Replacing all that production is gonna be a challenge; a challenge in which I think they’re up to, but I have no clue tbh. Replacing they’re star QB in Todd Centreio is gonna be the biggest issue. And I don’t know how good Jordan McCloud and or Brett Griffis actually are. If they are good, then JMU could win the East (again)!
Texas State — The Bobcats are interesting because of their bright young coach in G.J. Kinne and their HUGE transfer class of 24! There are so many new pieces here that they may actually be able to turn this otherwise laughable program around this year!
Basement Dwellers:
Just like the title says this group of teams can hopefully find some bright spots in which will be a likely dark season:
Georgia State — I don’t even think that Georgia State is that bad… I just think that the Sun Belt East is by far the toughest division in the Group of 5. Like you can’t sit here and tell me this team is talented enough to compete with: Coastal, App State, JMU, Marshall, Georgia Southern, Louisiana and Troy. They caught a BRUTAL schedule and it wouldn’t surprise me if they do not win a single conference game and their non-conference ain’t any easier (vs. URI, vs. UConn, @ Charlotte, @ LSU) hopefully they can show some bright spots.
Old Dominion — Outside of All-American LB Jason Henderson what does this team really have?? They lost all the QBs on their roster last year and their O-Line cannot block a toddler. I guess Ricky Rhane team’s are always at least decent at passing the ball, but man… this is is gonna be a LONG year.
Arkansas State — I don’t like putting teams down, but A-State just… they just ain’t it man. They’re a high tempo team that, get this, CAN’T MOVE THE CHAINS ON OFFENSE! And to make matters worse, the defense is Swiss cheese. They might win 1 conference game and it’s… well we all know who.
UL Monroe — This program needs to pull an Idaho and just move down to the FCS… have they ever been good in anyone’s lifetime??? They’re like the 6th or 7th best team in Louisiana at this point… I feel bad all 3 of their fans.
Predictions:
As far as records and legit predictions go. I will make them cause why not?
EAST
- Coastal Carolina – 9-3 (7-1)
- Marshall – 9-3 (6-2)
- App State – 8-4 (4-3)
- Georgia Southern – 7-5 (4-3)
- JMU – 5-7 (2-6)
- Georgia State – 2-10 (1-7)
- Old Dominion – 2-10 (0-8)
WEST
- South Alabama – 11-1 (8-0)
- Troy – 9-3 (6-2)
- Louisiana – 8-4 (6-2)
- Texas State – 6-6 (4-4)
- Southern Miss – 4-8 (3-5)
- Arkansas State – 2-10 (1-7)
- ULM – 0-12 (0-8)
Conference Championship:
Coastal Carolina @ South Alabama
CHAMPION:
COASTAL CAROLINA
Awards:
Player of the Year: Grayson McCall – QB, Coastal Carolina
Offensive Player of the Year: Rasheen Ali – HB, Marshall
Defensive Player of the Year: Javon Simpson – LB, Troy
Newcomer of the Year: Jordan McCloud – QB, JMU
Coach of the Year: Kane Wommack – HC, South Alabama
Final Notes:
Last season was the most exciting season in conference history! This year should 1-up that in my opinion. It’s going to be a blood bath and I personally think, despite likely not having the best record of G5 teams because they are such a deep conference, the Sun Belt Champ should be the G5 rep in the New Year’s Six Bowl. And when it’s all said and done, as long as #10 is healthy and taking snaps… the Chanticleers are my pick to take home the title!