Conference Breakdown: Ranking the Sun Belt

(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

by RunTellMatt



Every summer I make do with the monotony and the boring, college football-less Saturdays by doing my best to scout all 120 FBS teams. Plus, as a gambling man and a rabid college football fan, I like to know what I’m talking about.

In this 12-part feature, I’ll break down each conference, including the independents, ranking the teams in order of how good I perceive them to be heading into the season, complete with last year’s W-L record and my predictions for each team’s 2009 W-L record.

Feel free to comment on what a splendid job you think I’ve done and how my analysis and forecast is dead-on. Or you can disagree, whatever.

Last but not least, part 12: the Sun Belt




9. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers | Last Year: 2-10 | My 2009 Prediction: 2-10

In 2007, the Hilltoppers began their transition from a member of the FCS to a FBS team by playing a schedule consisting of half FCS, half FBS teams. In 2008, as a FBS independent, the Hilltoppers played their first full FBS schedule and went 2-10—those two wins coming against their only FCS opponents.

2009 will be the Hilltoppers' first season as a member of the Sun Belt Conference. They'll play just one game against a FCS opponent, so it’s not unreasonable to expect similar results as they continue their difficult transition to better competition.

It’s not as if the Hilltoppers have been bad as they played in several close games against Sun Belt opponents. This year, however, could be a little different considering they’ve lost their starting QB, have yet to settle on a replacement, and return just four starters on DEF. Furthermore, of those four returning on DEF, their best returning starter, SR LB Blake Boyd, was booted from the team this past spring for academic reasons leaving the Hilltoppers even less experienced.

The OFF, returning eight starters, will have some weapons in place to run their spread, including a couple of good RBs and their top three WRs.

The Hilltoppers’ schedule should be difficult with a full FBS slate including two of their four conference home games coming against Troy and Arkansas State—two teams expected to compete for the conference title this year. The Hilltoppers will continue their building process this year, but that doesn’t mean they’ll be an easy win for conference opponents.

Nonetheless, with a difficult schedule, lack of overall experience and such low number of returning starters, the Hilltoppers are in for a long season.

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