OVERVIEW
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| Arkansas State's Blake Anderson (Mike Ehrmann) |
A smaller Sun Belt Conference could mean a better Sun Belt Conference, at least in terms of national acclaim. Gone are Idaho (down to FCS) and New Mexico State (FBS Independent), which makes things more streamlined and interesting. There is also now a title game, which adds an extra layer of excitement and gives hope to a team that maybe lost the regular season showdown.
One thing that hasn't changed is the top teams -- Appalachian State, Troy and Arkansas State will once again show the way, with a couple of interlopers hoping to upset the apple cart.
Appalachian State returns 11 starters from last season's nine win squad, including running back Jalin Moore (1037 yards, 12 TDs) and the exemplary cornerback tandem of Clifton Duck (50 tackles, 6 INTs, 6 PBUs) and Tae Hayes (53 tackles, 4 INTs, 12 PBUs). The Moutaineers allowed just 14 TDs through the air a year ago, and their 18 picks ranked among the nation's top 15. If App State can get solid quarterback play after losing four year starter Taylor Lamb, it could be in line for more than just a conference title. Troy won double digit games for the second straight year, including an upset of LSU in Death Valley, but has a bit of rebuilding to do after losing quarterback Brandon Silvers and running back Jordan Chunn. The offensive line is one of the best and most experienced in the league, and the receiving tandem of Deondre Douglas and Damion Willis combined for 90 catches and seven TDs in 2017. Corner Blace Brown (33 tackles, 5 INTs, 6 PBUs) has NFL scouts paying attention and leads the way for a solid secondary group. The league finale at Appalachian State should determine the East Division champ. Georgia Southern won just twice last season, but played much better once Chad Lunsford was tabbed as head coach after the UMass game. The Eagles won two of their last three and have some momentum heading into the 2018 campaign thanks to one of the most experienced rosters in college football (18 returnees). Shai Werts is a solid dual threat quarterback while Wesley Fields (811 yards, 5 TDs) should improve with a reliable line in front of him. The defense must improve after allowing 32 points per game last year. The secondary is outstanding, led by corner Monquavion Brinson (5 INTs, 12 PBUs) and safeties RJ Murray (team-high 60 tackles) and Joshua Moon (47 tackles, 2 INTs). If GSU can generate more of a pass rush (22, 92nd nationally) there could be quite a bit of improvement. For now we're projecting a bowl game.
The West has the league's best shot at a New Years Six berth as Arkansas State appears ready to roll. The Wolves went just 7-5 last season, a disappointment, but close examination shows three losses by seven points or fewer. Combine that with 12 returning starters -- including the league's most potent offense for 2018 -- and it's easy to see why expectations are high. Quarterback Justice Hansen (3967 yards, 37 TDs) makes the offense go, and leading receiver Justin McInnis (49 catches, 16.3 ypc) returns. Former Oregon and Texas A&M product Kirk Merritt will be opposite McInnis and was one of the better JUCO receivers in America last season. The ground game is in the able feet of Warren Wand (715 yards, 6 TDs). The defense may take a step back after losing pass rush terror Ja'Von Rolland-Jones and his baker's dozen sacks, but Ronheen Bingham (22 tackles, 5 sacks) could be ready to establish himself. Justin Clifton (63 tackles, 13 PBUs) moves from corner to nickel back, which puts him closer to the line of scrimmage in the Wolves 4-2-5 scheme. Safety BJ Edmonds (80 tackles, 3 INTs) is a veteran and big time hitter. A-State misses Troy and gets App State at home, and travels to Alabama in week two for an interesting test. ULM allowed 35 or more points eight times last year, which isn't going to get it done in the Sun Belt or anywhere else. The Warhawks have matured and are among the nation's top 20 in terms of experience (17 returning starters) and bring back emerging quarterback Caleb Evans (2868, 17 TDs, 6 INTs, 13 rushing TDs). A veteran line should keep the offense rolling, as should a big-time jump from running back Derrick Gore (585 yards). The Warhawks didn't produce much pressure (21 sacks) nor force many turnovers (14), so that will have to improve. Defensive tackle Mason Husmann (37 tackles, 3.5 TFL) should vie for all-league honors while linebacker David Griffith (76 tackles, 6 TFL) brings experience and stability to the linebacker corps. Louisiana was another defensively challenged a year ago (40 ppg) but have fortified the lineup with a handful of FBS transfers, including defensive end Garrald McDowell (Ole Miss) and corner Kendall Johnson (Nevada). Running back Trey Ragas (813 yards, 9 TDs, 5.7 ypc) is one of the best in the league and could be ready for a national breakout.
RISING: Georgia Southern
FALLING: Troy
BOWL TEAMS (5): Appalachian State, Troy, Georgia Southern, Arkansas State, ULM
SUN BELT PROJECTED STANDINGS
EAST
1 Appalachian State (9-4, 6-2)
2 Troy (8-4, 6-2)
3 Georgia Southern (6-6, 4-4)
4 Georgia State (4-8, 3-5)
5 Coastal Carolina (2-10, 1-7)
WEST
WEST
1 Arkansas State (11-2, 7-1)
2 ULM (6-6, 5-3)
3 Louisiana (6-6, 4-4)
4 South Alabama (4-8, 3-5)
5 Texas State (3-9, 1-7)
SUN BELT CHAMPIONSHIP
SUN BELT CHAMPIONSHIP
Arkansas State over Appalachian State
ALL-SUN BELT TEAM
FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
QB Justice Hansen/Arkansas State
RB Jalin Moore/Appalachian State
RBTrey Ragas/Louisiana
WR Penny Hart/Georgia State
WR Justin McInnis/Arkansas State
WR Deondre Douglas/Troy
TE Collin Reed/Appalachian State
OL Victor Johnson/Appalachian State
OL Lanard Bonner/Arkansas State
OL Deontae Crumitie/Troy
OL Jacob Still/Arkansas State
OL Tristan Crowder/Troy
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
DL Joe Dillon/Louisiana
DL Logan Hunt/Georgia Southen
DL Ronheem Bingham/Arkansas State
DL Myquan Stout/Appalachian State
LB Anthony Flory/Appalachian State
LB Bryan London/Texas State
LB Michael Shaw/Georgia State
LB Tron Folsom/Troy
DB Blace Brown/Troy
DB Clifton Duck/Appalachian State
DB Tae Hayes/Appalachian State
DB Justin Clifton/Arkansas State
FIRST TEAM SPECIALISTS
K Gavin Patterson/South Alabama
P Corliss Waitman/South Alabama
KR Marcus Green/ULM
PR Thomas Hennigan/Appalachian State
SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
QB Caleb Evans/ULM
RB Warren Wand/Arkansas State
RB Wesley Fields/Georgia Southern
WR Malcolm Williams/Coastal Carolina
WR Marcus Green/ULM
WR Jamarius Way/South Alabama
TE Chase Rogers/Louisiana
OL Kevin Dotson/Louisiana
OL Kirk Kelly/Troy
OL Aaron Brewer/Texas State
OL Curtis Rainey/Georgia Southern
OL Shamarious Gilmore/Georgia State
SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
DL Trevon Sanders/Troy
DL Marterious Allen/Georgia State
DL Tyree Turner/South Alabama
DL Mason Husmann/ULM
LB Hunter Reese/Troy
LB Frankie Griffin/Texas State
LB Bull Barge/South Alabama
LB Silas Kelly/Coastal Carolina
DB Monquavion Brinson/Georgia Southern
DB Cedarius Rookard/Troy
DB BJ Edmonds/Arkansas State
DB Nigel Lawrence/South Alabama
SECOND TEAM SPECIALISTS
K Tyler Bass/Georgia Southern
P Cody Grace/Arkansas State
KR Marcus Jones/Troy
PR Marcus Green/ULM
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Justice Hansen/Arkansas State
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Clifton Duck/Appalachian State
COACH OF THE YEAR: Blake Anderson/Arkansas State
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: CB Kendall Johnson/Louisiana
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