2012 NCAAF Conference Previews Part 1

-SUN BELT CONFERENCE-

Predicted Finish

1)Florida International
     FIU comes off an 8-5 season in good shape. Up and coming Head Coach Mario Cristobal has an experience O-Line, a thousand yard rusher in back Kedrick Rhodes, 5 of the 6 top receivers, and the bulk of a good defense returning. The only reason to think this team wont win the conference is the Quarterback position. There isnt much experience as the position includes redshirt sophomore Jake Medlock who was hurt last november, and two freshman.

2)Louisiana-Lafayette
     Louisiana, a year removed from a 9-4 season in which they won bowl, will have what it takes to compete at the top of this conference. They return 9 offensive starters including Senior QB Blaine Gautier behind an experience O-Line and good options at running back and receiver. The offense should be fine but the defense is a question with only 4 returners and will probably determine where they will finish in the top 3.

3)Arkansas State
         The new Head Coach leading this team is former Auburn Offensive Coordinator Gus Malzahn and I'm intrigued to see how he can improve the play of already talented and successful QB Ryan Aplin. The Senior QB threw for over 3,000 yds with 19 TDs and led the team in rushing. The offense should be very good but, like Louisiana, has questions on defense. If the defense gets better as the season goes on and learns from games with Oregon and Nebraska then this team might be a terror to play in conference play.

4)Western Kentucky
5)Louisiana-Monroe
6)Troy
7)Middle Tennessee State
8)North Texas
9) Florida Atlantic
10)South Alabama


-Player of the Year-
 QB, Ryan Aplin, Arkansas State

-Best Conference Games-
 FIU @ Louisiana, Sept 29th
 Arkansas St @ FIU, OCt 4th
 Arkansas St @ Louisiana, Oct 23rd

2011 NCAA Conference Previews Part 2

-Sun Belt Conference-

Predicted Finish

1.Florida International
-FIU returns all their offensive stars including Sun Belt Player of the Year WR TY Hilton and i expect that to make this team the favorite. It also helps that they face Troy at home this year
2.Troy
-I have this team finishing second but it is a squad that is more than capable to win the conference. Their starting QB returns and so do 8 defensive starters.
3.Louisiana Monroe
4.Arkansas State
5.Florida Atlantic
6.North Texas
7.Middle Tennessee State
8.Western Kentucky
9.Louisiana Lafayette

-Player of the year-
QB Troy Robinson, Troy