Nine weeks into the average college football season, most conferences already have a clear-cut winner.
Not so in 2007.
Just ask the Buffalo Bulls, who are leading the MAC-East. Better yet, ask the UConn Huskies, who lead the Big East.
(If you saw either one of those coming, please email me. I have two tickets to Las Vegas, and I'll buy you lunch on the way.)
The story in the Sun Belt is no different. Here we are in Week Nine, waiting for the December 1st matchup between Troy and Florida Atlantic...and Louisiana-Monroe crashes the party.
In very classy fashion, I might add.
The Troy Trojans come into the week with a slim edge on their challengers , leading by only one game in the standings with at least two conference games remaining for each team.
Last week, Florida Atlantic fell into a tie with Middle Tennessee State, who inexplicably won by 20 despite being outgained in total yardage.
It was yet another loopy week, in other words, and that makes for another shakeup in the power rankings....
1. Troy Trojans (6-2)
Last Week: Won at Arkansas State, 27-0
Troy went into Arkansas State having lost their last three games with the Indians—and emerged as the undisputed leader of the conference.
In a game which featured two very good offenses, Troy's defense was at the forefront. That's very good news for the Trojans.
The game was quite a statement for this team, and should make for an interesting push into this week's contest.
This week: at Georgia
2. Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders (4-5)
Last Week: Won vs. North Texas, 48-28
MTSU came out of last week's game with a three-game winning streak and high spirits.
The Blue Raiders somehow managed to score 48 points—including two safeties—while gaining only 338 yards, and having 86 of those taken away on penalties.
Worth noting, however, is the fact that they held the ball for 14:00 longer than North Texas. That will win a lot of games.
This week: at Louisiana-Monroe
3. Florida Atlantic Owls (4-4)
Last Week: Lost (in 3OT) vs. Louisiana-Monroe 33-30
The Owls were hosting a 2-5 Warhawk team that had lost to North Texas two weeks prior.
They were ready to go 4-0 in the conference, with games against ASU and FIU left before the showdown in Troy.
Then they gave up a 31-yard run to Calvin Dawson on 2nd-and-16 in the third overtime, after holding him to only 83 yards through four quarters and two OTs.
Think the Owls will regret that later?
This week: BYE
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