After a rocky start in 2001, 5-32 against other conferences, the NCAA's
newest 1A conference would like to have a great Sophomore season.
Though its unlikely that they'll pull the big upsets on the schedule
(Alabama, Tennessee, Texas, Georgia) there are many opportunities to
make a statement (Cal, TCU, S. Florida, Kentucky, Arizona). The Blue
Raiders of Middle Tennessee look to be the conference favorites and
with 4 SEC games on the slate they have the chance to pull a major
upset or two to give the conference some national attention.Though the conference as a whole needs to focus on winning games OOC,
the individual teams will all understand that the only games that
really matter this year are in conference. Because regardless of the
win count OOC, it is very unlikely that any Sun-Belt team will be
bowling without winning the conference. With that in mind, each team is
looking forward to the conference slate to prove themselves and insure
their place in New Orleans this December.
The pre-season leaders
in the hunt for the crown are Middle Tennessee and last year's bowl
representative North Texas. They are followed closely by the
Rajin-Cajuns of the University of Louisana, and the Idaho Vandals. New
Mexico State, Louisana Monroe, and Arkansas State round out the
conference.
Team-by-team Analysis
Middle Tennessee: The
Blue Raiders are again the conference favorites. A stellar O that
racked up 5,200+ yards last season (5th in the NCAA) and 37ppg (43ppg
in-conference) should continue to dominate in-conference. With the
return of Sun-Belt Player of the Year Dwone Hicks (2nd in the nation
with 24 TDs) the team has a proven quantity that should have another
1000+ yard season. The defense proved capable as well holding opponents
to just over 25ppg.
Concerns for the Blue Raiders this season
include the brutal SEC openers (Alabama, Tennessee, and Kentucky) and a
dangerous trip to Idaho. The game against North Texas (Nov. 23) should
be for all the SBC marbles. The Raiders get the edge playing at home
where they hold an 11 game unbeaten streak.
North Texas: North
Texas will challenge the Blue Raiders for the conference crown. And if
they end up victorious, the Sun-Belt may again be the object of
ridicule if its bowl representative shows up for the second year in a
row with a losing record. Though this seems unlikely, N. Texas faces a
rough early season slate by visiting Texas, Alabama, TCU and Arizona
(S. Florida visits the Mean Green at home.).
Questions about OOC
games aside, the Mean Green return all 11 starters from last years
offense and should build on their 33ppg in conference (37ppg over a
five game stretch.) Continued development from QB Scott Hall should
lead to even better numbers from go to WR George Marshall (11TDs
Last Year). Couple this with a D that returns 9 featuring All Star
Safety Jonas Buckles and N. Texas should provide a great challenge to
Middle Tennessee. Unfortunately for the Green, this year's "Championship" game will be played at MTSU where and the Blue Raiders are tough to beat.
University of Louisiana: The
Ragin Cajuns miss our top two spots by just a hair but will be able to
compete with an improved offense that will complement last year's solid
defensive effort (2nd in conf. 363ypg). A strong receiving core and
offensive line will give Junior QB Jon Van Cleave the tools he needs to
have another impressive season (2,500 yrds. last season).
The
Cajuns will have to face MTSU on the road, but get the benefit of North
Texas and Idaho at home. With MTSU and N. Texas back-to-back on the
19th and 26th of October, UL will know early in the conference season
whether they have a shot at the crown or not.
Idaho: Simply
put, this team could be dangerous. Idaho had a terrible turnover margin
last year (-16) and an offense that somehow didn't put points on the
board. (This despite averaging nearly 550 ypg.) This team has the
benefit of facing MTSU at home and is looking for another all-star
performance from QB Brian Lindgren who amassed 630+ yards in their game
last season.
All this noted, the Vandals won't be able to
compete unless they shore up their D (Nationally - 108th against run,
110th against pass). They allowed nearly 50ppg last year in conference
and need to improve here if they want to challenge for the top of
the Sun Belt. A tall order indeed, but with the recent addition of JUCO
talent the Vandals hope to make strides this season. Look for new CBs
Ruffin and Ortega to make an immediate impact.
New Mexico State: This
"Little Nebraska" has been one of the most offensively consistent teams
in the Sun Belt. NMSU has ranked in the top 25 nationally in rushing in
each of Head Coach Tony Samuel's five years. Unfortunately, the
bonecrushing "Power-I" implemented by Coach Samuel is facing a
challenge this year as he must replace both running backs (Johnson and
Keith) and last year's QB (Enzminger). With Spring Ball mired in
injuries, the team has numerous question marks on both sides of the
ball. Everything noted, NMSU will still look to surprise this year and
actually "finish" better than they did last year. (They beat up on
Louisville last year (but blew it on fumbles), barely lost to Oregon
State, lost in the final 20 seconds to N. Texas, and led MTSU by double
digits in the 4th quarter.)
Louisiana Monroe: Louisiana
Monroe is a maturing team and will actually field a "veteran" squad
this year. Nineteen starters will return including the top running
backs and receivers from last season. The Indians don't have enough O
to challenge the top of the conference, but a visit from Arkansas State
should keep them out of the basement.
Arkansas State: A
rough schedule and a lackluster offense (2 victories by a combined 9
pts. last season) will likely keep Arkansas State in the cellar of the
conference this year. Arkansas State travels to Idaho and ULM and has
both N. Texas and MTSU at home. Though a victory over New Mexico State
on the 26th of October is possible, the slate looks rocky for the
Indians.
Recap:
1. MTSU 2. N. Texas 3. UL 4. Idaho 5. NMSU 6. ULM 7. Ark. State
