College Football-2007 Sun Belt Conference Preview

The Sun Belt Conference is not a national powerhouse, but some schools have pulled some upsets, remember Troy over Missouri in 2004? But, let's face it-to the major powers in College Football, the Sun Belt teams are rent a wins. But in my opinion, this is not a bad conference-if they didn't have to play powers like LSU, Auburn, Nebraska and Texas every year. Of course, you win this conference, you get your bowl game in New Orleans-about 4 weeks before the National Championship Game. Still, Bourbon Street is not a bad reward for a good season, isn't it?

WHO'S NEW:

North Texas-Todd Dodge
Mario Cristobal-Florida International

Hot Seat:


Ricky Bustle-UL Lafayette


2007 Predictions



8. Florida International Golden Panthers. Known for their thuggish behavior in the 2006 Miami fight (Not that Miami was innocent either), this team was bad. In every sense of the word. New head coach Mario Cristobel must find a way to win, and more importantly, instill discipline to this team, which returns 15 starters. But, this team has a long way to go in 2007, but will improve over last season.

7. North Texas Mean Green. Former Texas High School Coach Todd Dodge put up an impressive 79-1 record. He also brings a spread offense to a team that ran the football under former head coach Darrell Dickey. While they have good enough players on defense, and return Jamario Thomas, who led the NCAA Division I in rushing as a freshman, the Mean Green lack a productive QB, or an effective offensive line. Don't expect a huge change, as historically high school coaches have not had much success at the NCAA level.

6. Florida Atlantic Owls. Howard Schnellenberger (Yes, the former Miami and Louisville head coach) might want to just hang it up now. While having a surprise team last year, the Owls have to go on the road for the big games in conference (Troy, ULL, ), and have to play 2 SEC teams in Florida and Kentucky. A brutal schedule means the Owls will not have a winning season in 2007.

5. UL-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns. The most disappointing team in 2006, the job of head coach Ricky Bustle is on the line. Picked to win last year, the Cajuns resembled a train wreck in 2006. Returning 13 starters last season helps, but the Cajun's defense is too porous to be effective. It seems that the offseason will be spent on finding a new coach, even if they finish at .500

4. UL-Monroe Warhawks. A tale of 2 seasons would be this team's description in 2006. After a bad start, ULM won 3 of its last 4 games, the only loss was a 42-40 shootout with SEC foe Kentucky. Head coach Charlie Weatherbie has done a great job despite lack of resources, and is the lowest paid coach in Division I-A. But the Warhawks return all 11 starters on offense, but hte questions are all on the defense. If it were not for that, the Warhawks wopuld be the pick to win the Sun Belt.

3. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders. The surprise team in 2006, pulled a worst to almost first last year. The Blue Raiders should have a good 2007, but have to play national powers like Louisville and LSU. Fortunatley for the Raiders and head coach Rick Stockstill, they play host to Virginia, the first BCS school to play at Murfressboro. While having a good year, this team won't share the conference title again this year, but will contend in the next few years.

2. Arkansas St Indians. A team returning 17 starters in any conference would be predicted to win it. Not so fast my friends. The big question is the defense, particularly the line play, where depth is lacking. On offense, can Corey Leonard mature at QB? He made a lot of mistakes last year. But for head coach Steve Roberts, the future is bright for the Indians, but they are still the 2nd best team in this conference.

1. Troy Trojans. The real men of Troy should repeat as Sun Belt Champs and appear in a bowl game again. Troy also won their bowl game last year against Rice, and that means momentum to start the season. But a tough schedule that has Arkansas, Florida, and Oklahoma St in the first 3 games, plus Georgia later in the year. Avoiding injuries is the key, and with 14 returning starters, and the best recruiting class in the conference the last 3 years, Troy is on the rise.