(1) Florida
International has risen in the ranks of the Sun Belt Conference in the past few
years. The Golden Panthers will be making their last impression on the SBC this
fall before moving on to Conference USA. I chose Florida International as
number one because they have 17 returning starters in 2012 and 10 of those are
on defense. The Golden Panthers has the best defense in the conference right
now besides newcomer South Alabama. FIU must overcome their tough
non-conference schedule and maintain a healthy team to face all of its
conference foes. Last year in early conference play FIU hosted Louisiana and
lost by only five points, they let Arkansas State run over them and then lost
to Western Kentucky in the Hilltoppers nation by 1 point. If they could have
avoided those loses they would have won the championship one more time last
year. However with many of their players returning, I do believe that the
Golden Panthers can win the conference title in 2012.
(2) Troy University
will be in the hunt once again for the conference title in 2012, after a
stunning season last fall. I do expect the Trojans to bounce back to the top of
the Sun Belt and fight for the conference championship once again. The Trojans
must hold off Ryan Aplin at Arkansas State, FIU, Louisiana-Lafayette and
Western Kentucky in conference play, and the Troy Trojans should regain their
title and make a bowl appearance in 2012.
(3) Arkansas State is
under the direction of its new head coach Gus Malzahn. It will be amazing to
see how this team adapt to their new head coach and his offense, and will they be
able to hold that momentum of Conference Champs. ASU returns a power in QB Ryan
Aplin. Arkansas State must also play to win and remain healthy against Oregon
and Nebraska in non-conference games. If Arkansas State can hold off Troy, FIU,
UL-Lafayette, the championship could once again belong to the Red Wolves.
(4) Louisiana Lafayette
is another team that has made many improvements over the years. Under new head
coach Mark Hudspeth the Ragin Cajuns have 13 starters returning this year a
squad that is positioned to compete for the conference title. ULL has QB Blaine
Gautier back on offense. This team went 9-4 last season and went to a bowl game
for the first time in school history. They beat MWC member San Diego State in
the New Orleans Bowl. If the Ragin Cajuns can hold off Troy, Arkansas State,
FIU at home and Western Kentucky then they will receive their first crown as
conference champs.
(5) Western Kentucky is
my surprise pick in this process. WKU has made improvements that’s
unbelievable. New head coach Willie Taggart has came in a brought life to a
team that only won two games in the Sun Belt Conference play since being a
member of the Sun Belt Conference. Last season the Hilltoppers finished 7-5 and
has won their most games since being in FBS and the Sun Belt Conference. WKU
will have QB Kawaun Jakes, RG Adam Smith, TE Jack Doyle and Wide Receiver
Jamarielle Brown to help them to a conference title. WKU lost a power in Bobby
Rainey a running back. I expect this team to re-stock and be a player in the
Sun Belt Conference.
