College FB: Week Nine Sun Belt Power Rankings

 4. Louisiana-Monroe Warharks (3-5)

Last Week: Won (3OT) vs. Florida Atlantic 33-30

Louisiana-Monroe needed a spark. They got one in the end zone that houses the FAU student section.

The trip to Boca Raton looked grim for the Warhawks. A loss to the Sun Belt co-leaders would have put them at 2-6 with only four games remaining, including a visit to Alabama.

However, with their win Saturday night, Monroe's bid to become bowl eligible is still (barely) alive.

Calvin Dawson showed up at the right time, but if this team wants six wins, he'll have to start from the first snap, not the third OT.

This Week: vs. MTSU

 

 5. Arkansas State Indians (3-5)

Last Week: Lost vs. Troy 27-0 

Arkansas State slips beneath Louisiana-Monroe for one main reason: Their season has been falling apart week-by-week.

After an impressive showing against Texas in the season opener left the entire conference wide-eyed, the Indians have declined as a team—and now are desperate for answers. ASU hadn't been shut out at home since 1992 until their beating at the hands of Troy on Saturday.

The Indians have to get back on track quickly, or else the season is only going to get worse.

This Week: vs. Florida International

 

 6. Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns (1-6)

Last Week: BYE 

Why does Lafayette get the nod over North Texas? Head-to-head, for starters.

(Head-to-head means something in deciding placement in the Sun Belt?! Yes, folks, it does here.)

Second, the Cajuns played a good Florida Atlantic team into OT—a growing trend in the state of Louisiana. Finally, they possess an odd creature they call a "quarterback" in Michael Desormeaux.

Aside from Temple QB Walter Washington, Desormeaux is the only other quarterback in the NCAA to run AND pass for 150 yards in a single game.

This week: at Tennessee

 

 7. North Texas Mean Green (1-7)

Last Week: Lost at MTSU 48-28

North Texas has four things going for them right now.

First, they're not FIU.

Second, they have a fantastic future in quarterback Giovanni Vizza. With some work on accuracy, this kid could start for three years. That's stability this program needs.

Third, they haven't lost to a I-AA team this year *cough* MTSU and La-La *cough*. 

Finally, they won't lose this week.

This Week: BYE

 

 8. Florida International Golden Panthers (0-8)

        Last Week: Lost at Arkansas, 58-10

If a program ever needed a victory more than FIU right now, it wasn't during my lifetime.

The Panthers come away from Arkansas having scored 10 legitimate points in the first half, which could be a turning point for the team. After scoring 28 points in their first five games, they've come up with 40 in the last three.

This week they face a down-and-out ASU team in Jonesboro—and could make a statement. Even if they don't win, points on the board could be a springboard for the following two weeks at home.

This Week: at Arkansas State

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?