Welcome to the new and improved Sun Belt Power Rankings...this week with Not-So-Fearless Predictions.
(Tossed in at the end, in case you're one of those dozen or so people who bet on Sun Belt football...)
The Sun Belt is on fire!
That is, it's burning itself by allowing the cellar teams to beat teams who need wins to become bowl-eligible.
Louisiana-Laugh-at-us successfully dashed MTSU's hopes of an at-large bowl bid when they won at Murfreesboro on Saturday.
FAU is flirting with a six-win season, but with trips to Florida and Troy upcoming it looks like that might be all they get.
Even that sixth game isn't a guarantee: Watch out for FIU—who's thirsty for a win after a close loss to ASU, and could come out on top this week against La-La.
Nobody Double-Dribbled...
North Texas apparently sent their defense to Jonesboro to get ready for the game against Arkansas State.
The trouble is that Navy was in Denton for a football game. Or a basketball game—the jury is still out.
136 points, 1,315 yards, and 19 touchdowns later, 26,012 people left Fouts Field needing a cigarette.
The UNT defense showed up with about 8:06 left , forcing their only punt of the game.
For the record, and comparison's sake, FIU scored 58 points in their first seven games this year. Ouch.
National Leaders
In good news for the Sun Belt, two SBC players are tied for the national lead in interceptions.
Tavious "Marco...Marco?" Polo of FAU and Elbert "It's an INT or a TD Against Me!" Mack of Troy have both pulled down seven picks to date.
Watch Them on the Tube
This week marks the rematch of last year's most exciting Sun Belt game—Troy's 21-20 comeback win over Murfreesboro.
MTSU will come in pumped up and looking to throw the ball.
If any publicity is good publicity, the Sun Belt got some this week. The Tuesday game between Troy and MTSU should continue that in grand fashion.
The Battle for the Palladium (AKA The World's Biggest Toga Party) will be televised on ESPN2.
1. Troy Trojans (7-3)
Last Week: Win at Western Kentucky 21-17
Troy discovered three things when they visited Bowling Green this week:
First, when Western went in and beat MTSU at home earlier this year, it wasn't a fluke. WKU will be a formidable opponent with a great home-field advantage when they officially join the Sun Belt in 2009.
Second, Troy still can't defend the run. Troy has given up an average of 248 yards on the ground in the last two games.
Third, turnovers are bad. Troy finally figured that out and gave up only one turnover against Western Kentucky...after giving up 15 in the previous three games.
This week is another trap game, with MTSU looking for revenge.
2 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Billy Trout about 1 year ago
As a Blue Raider fan, I never am truly amazed at anything I see at a MTSU football game. I think the 80 plus yard run by the opposing team's QB should be shown to the defense non stop for 24 hours to let them know this isn't acceptable.
Coach Stockstill is a quality guy, but there is a lack of depth and a lot of injuries too. I just don't get guys not tackling and playing good fundamenals each and every week. Seems like if you almost beat Virginia, you should kill LA-Lafayette.
Finally - one team from the Sun Belt will go to a bowl, since virtually the whole SEC is bowl-eligible.
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Jeremy Turner about 1 year ago
I like your comments. I, myself, am a proud Trojans fan. I think that the Sun Belt has a problem with inconsistency. On some days, all of the Sun Belt teams look like they belong back in Division I-AA. On other days, they blow the doors off their hinges and beat some big name teams.
Right now, the hottest teams within the Sun Belt are Troy, FAU, and Arkansas State. But don't forget, just a couple of years ago, North Texas was the power house of the Sun Belt.
Anyways, I am excited to see how you will rank the Sun Belt next season since Troy has to play both LSU and Ohio State this upcoming season.
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