Seven games for the Sun Belt Conference eight

With the many changes surrounding smaller college football conferences, the Sun Belt Conference learned on Tuesday that all eight teams will need to add another non-conference game to their schedules. Middle Tennessee and FAU is now out and headed to the C-USA on July 1, 2013, leaving eight teams in the Sun Belt and all eight will only play seven conference games.

Middle Tennessee and Florida Atlantic will not be leaving without paying a fee to the Sun Belt Conference, each team must pay as agreed $700,000 to exit early and be apart of C-USA, according to the commissioner Karl Benson.

“Our desire to aid our athletic directors in finalizing the 2013 football schedule was the reason for allowing a reduced exit fee,” Benson said in a statement released by the conference. “While the seven-game conference schedule is not perfect, the understanding is that this would only be for one season.”

One season says Benson, so this is a early indication by Benson that the Sun Belt will expand in the near future, just not for the 2013 season.

Well good bye Middle Tennessee and FAU, hope the grass is greener on the other side as promised; to make you jump ship so quickly. Tulsa made it known that they are ready to exit C-USA for either the MTW or Big East, whomever invites them first. Tulsa AD also made it known that two many Sun Belt teams are coming into C-USA, so is Middle Tennessee, FAU, FIU and North Texas really welcomed into C-USA...lol. Tulsa don't want to be associated with them.

Maybe soon we will see how all this works out. Georgia Southern AD said he already has drafted an acceptance letter if an invite from the Sun Belt comes, wow! I really wish the Sun Belt Conference will go ahead and do what's right and act and get our conference stable and on a more progressive platform. By adding four more teams would really help this conference and our chances in the new NCAA playoff system come 2014.

Sun Belt Conference should not continue to let C-USA continue to peck our members as they did the WAC. If the AD's and the Commissioner is really serious about saving the Sun Belt, then they would reach out and add members that are dedicated and add them sooner. If not more members are going to look for new homes and if they are called they will answer.

Last but not least, the Sun Belt Conference needs to re-negotiate their TV contracts for a better payout to their members, and secure additional bowl tie ins. Why not reach out and get those bowl tie in the WAC had Commissioner Benson?

Time is running out, and sitting back waiting and watching the dominoes fall and not be progressive will result in no conference or left overs.

Teams that would really help the Sun Belt Conference and create an huge impact in college football is the following; Georgia Southern, Appalachian State, Lamar, New Mexico State, UT-Chattanooga and I will not count out Idaho with their new head coach and staff. So what are you going to do Sun Belt and Commissioner Karl Benson, we are all waiting.

Is MTSU & FAU leaving the Sun Belt in 2013?

Well by now we all know that Middle Tennessee State and Florida Atlantic is on their way out to Conference USA from the Sun Belt, and it’s not a surprise that they would like to leave as soon as possible. Will they be leaving early? Yes they will! 

With all the negotiations that is taking place, each party and the Sun Belt Conference is trying to settle the exit fee to leave early, and it want be free to exit if they decides to leave early. It will cost MTSU and FAU $1 million dollars to exit early and the SBC wants that payment if they so choose. MTSU and FAU also believe that they can leave the Sun Belt Conference for a lower fee than the required $1 million.

It is known that bout schools want out of the conference early than 2014, According to the SBC Commissioner Karl Benson, both school will leave on July 1, 2013. Now that they are departing in 2013, the SBC is left with 8 members, and now each of those members must seek another non-conference game. 

Why not go ahead and bring in New Mexico State that is waiting on the sidelines to be added to a conference and add Georgia Southern to get back to ten playing members. Also why not just go ahead and add four and get to twelve members for football. 

Let's get this done Commissioner Karl Benson, AD's and Sun Belt Conference. We are ready to move forward! 

UL-Lafayette defeats FAU in final game of the 2012 season, South Alabama lost to Hawaii

ULL vs. FAU

The Ragin Cajuns denied FAU a chance to win their last game of the season and possible last Conference  game as a member of the Sun Belt.

Terrance Broadway posted 291 all-purpose yards and Alonzo Harris ran for three touchdowns to help Louisiana-Lafayette hold off Florida Atlantic 35-21 Saturday in the season finale for both clubs.

Broadway threw for 168 yards and ran for 123 of Louisiana-Lafayette's 284 rushing yards as the Ragin' Cajuns (8-4, 6-2 Sun Belt Conference) won their third-straight game.

Hawaii defeats South aLABAMA 23-7

Both Hawaii and South Alabama wanted a win to end their season and go into the off season with some momentum. But in this game there was only one winner with that carries that momentum into the offseason and that is Hawaii. 

South Alabama vs. Hawaii

It was the first time the Warriors (3-9) won back-to-back games since October of last year, when it beat New Mexico State at home and won at Idaho, and did the same this year won back to back games. And their last game of the season comes with a victory over South Alabama.

The Warriors (3-9) compiled a season-high 410 yards of offense. Sterling Jackson ran for a 1-yard touchdown in the first quarter, and Sean Schroeder connected with Chris Gant on a 26-yard scoring strike in the third quarter.

South Alabama's 166 yards of total offense were the fewest allowed by Hawaii since it gave up 127 against Lamar on Sept. 15. The Jaguars had just 18 rushing yards, averaged just 2.6 yards per play and allowed six sacks by Hawaii.

"For where we are with our program, we can't make mistakes like that and beat a team like Hawaii," South Alabama coach Joey Jones said. "That's the bottom line."

B.J. Scott recorded a game-high 12 tackles and intercepted a pass, and Maleki Harris recovered a pair of fumbles for the Jaguars.

South Alabama has some much needed work to do and prepare for a FBS full membership beginning in 2013. 

The best of the best brought home wins on Saturday as Sun Belt Conference Football comes to an end for 2012

What a season for the Sun Belt Conference? 

With the 2012 College Football Season coming to an end for the Sun Belt Conference and only one week left to go, many of the Sun Belt teams did what they needed to do to capture bowls invitations this post season.  For two teams they will be departing the SBC for C-USA, they played their last SBC games on Saturday.

There is one more week left for SBC football, with the biggest SBC game being in Jonesboro, Arkansas at Arkansas State against Middle Tennessee for the conference title. Arkansas State switch coaches after capturing the conference title last season, and brought in former Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn as their head coach, and certainly he has proven that he can be a head coach. Arkansas State is in the running for the SBC Championship once again for the second time in a row. WOW!  Middle Tennessee made a surprise turn around to rise to the top of the conference and they are also in the hunt for the SBC title.  The title game will be held at 2:00pm in Jonesboro, AR this will be a game worth watching and attending. Both teams are sitting at 8-3 for the season and both have a well qualified bowl berth.

When I look back over this season I look at it as the best season ever for the Sun Belt Conference. I also believe that the Sun Belt has proven to be a very competitive non-AQ conference. Several teams have defeated BCS conference teams and two of them in the number one conference in college football.

I give that credit to UL-Monroe, Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee.

I want to especially congratulate UL-Monroe Warhawks and Head Coach Todd Berry for what they have done with the program in Monroe, LA. WOW, the staff and players have really come together to turn this program around and turn it into a winning program. The Warhawks are at their best record since being in the FBS.  They should also get a bowl invitation in this post season. They defeated then No.6 Arkansas in their first game of the season, and the second week they nearly defeated their second SEC team at Auburn in overtime. Not only did they give the SEC teams a run for their money but they gave Baylor of the Big 12 a run for their money as well in Monroe, LA.  ULM is my most improved team in the Sun Belt Conference in 2012.

Western Kentucky has maintain a second straight season of a winning program. They ended their 2012 season on Saturday with a 1-point victory over North Texas defeating the Mean Green 25-24 to improve their record to 7-5 for the 2012 season. I have to give it to coach Willie Taggert for keeping a positive team that he improved since arriving in Bowling Green, KY. For the second straight season they have reach a bowl berth. However, last season they was not invited to a bowl, which they should have. This season may be different as I hope and think they will be in a bowl game this post season.  

South Alabama is the newest team to the SBC conference in 2012. And they have proven that they are ready for the big boy game, having played 12 games thus far and winning (2) of those games. They didn’t produce the record they desired, but they put forth the efforts in every angle. They played a great game at Mississippi State and stayed within the spread. They also traveled to NC State for the second time in a row. Now that they have gotten their feet super wet, the real ball begins in this offseason in recruiting and practicing for what is to come in 2013. Before they go into the offseason, they will travel to Hawaii for their 13^th game, which they say they are treating as their bowl game. With the performance of Hawaii this season, South Alabama Jaguars may be able to produce a win in Hawaii over a Mountain West Conference team before it’s all over. I want to give credit to QB Ross Metheny the Virginia transfer that came in and took over the starting QB job for the JAGS, he really did a great job this season. Also I give credit to C.J. Bennett for bringing the team to this level of play. I also want to credit to Jake Johnson a NFL prospect and B.J. Scott for a great job they have done for the Jaguars.

Florida Atlantic has done a great job under their new head coach Carl Pelini. The Owls have produced three wins this season. They captured 2 conference wins this season, it shows improvement. The OWLS also took Sun Belt Conference new member South Alabama into overtime, before losing that close game. Next season I think they will be more competitive under Carl Pelini and his staff.

Troy improved their season, but not enough to get back to the top of the Sun Belt and reach that bowl berth.  The Trojans lost a close game to Middle Tennessee on Saturday to get that bowl berth. The Trojans are sitting at 5-7 for the 2012 season.  Troy also played great games against Mississippi State and Tennessee, nearly defeating both. When Navy came to town, the Trojans showed no mercy has they defeated Navy 41-31 to inch closer to a bowl berth.

Let us not forget that the Blue Raiders went to Atlanta and defeated ACC - Georgia Tech with a commanding turndown. WOW!

UL-Lafayette also did it once again. They got that bowl berth and continuing to produce and maintain a winning program. I do expect this team that head coach Mark Hudspeth and staff has put together to rise to the top of the Sun Belt Conference. They turn away South Alabama to get that bowl invitation on last night from R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl scheduled for Dec. 22, 2012. WOW! 

North Texas & Florida International is off to the C-USA now that their era in the Sun Belt Conference is over as of Saturday. Both teams were defeated and were sent away with losing seasons. Florida International was the team to beat in the pre-season with projections nationwide to win the conference title before they depart. Other teams in the Sun Belt Conference showed them otherwise. North Texas also was looking to improve and get to a bowl berth this season before exiting the Sun Belt Conference but those hopes faded quickly.

Here is a quick look at the scores on Saturday:

South Alabama   - 30

@ UL-Lafayette    - 52

North Texas  - 24

@ Western Kentucky - 25

Troy  - 21

@ Middle Tennessee - 24

UL-Monroe – 23

@ FIU – 17 (FINAL OT)

Next Saturday will be the final week of SBC football and the conference title game in Jonesboro, AR. Here is a look at this week schedule as the season comes to a close.

South Alabama

@ Hawaii

UL-Lafayette

@ Florida Atlantic

Middle Tennessee

@ Arkansas State (Conference Title GAME)  2:00pm

Week 11 Sun Belt Conference Football Action

Action Today is Win or You Out For Some Teams

1. Sun Belt newcomer South Alabama will travel to North Texas to face the Mean Green in their only conference matchup. The Jaguars is looking to overcome their last lost to FIU with a win over North Texas, both teams are scheduled to depart for C-USA next season.

2. UL-Lafayette will travel to No. 6 Florida today to face the gators, the Ragin Cajuns is hoping to pull a upset here after a comeback win over the No.1  team in the Sun Belt UL-Monroe.

3. Western Kentucky will host Florida Atlantic in Bowling Green, KY today at @ 12:00noon. Western Kentucky is already bowl eligible with a 6-3 overall record, they are looking to get their 7^th win of the season for another perfect record today against the Owls.

4. Troy Trojans will host Navy today in Troy, the Trojans nearly defeated SEC Tennessee on last Saturday. This is a game to watch to see if the Trojans can get that 5^th win of the season over Navy and get closer to bowl eligibility before the season is over. This match will be at 2:30 CST on ESPN 3.

On Thursday Night, Arkansas State hosted the No.1 team in the Sun Belt Conference UL-Monroe, and handed them a big loss. Arkansas State won 45-23 over UL-Monroe. Arkansas State is now 7-3 this season and UL-Monroe is 6-4 both teams are bowl eligible. I do believe UL-Monroe will finish the season with 7 wins for the first time in a long time.  

Sun Belt Preseason Men's Basketball All-Conference Team

Basketball season is almost here and players of the year and possible conference champions are already being mention.

Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year Tony Mitchell was named 2012-13 Men’s Basketball Preseason Player of the Year, while Middle Tennessee and North Texas were unanimous selections to win the SBC East and West Divisions, respectively, the league office announced Wednesday.

In conference games last season, Mitchell averaged a double-double and led the league in points per game (15.9), rebounds per game (11.8), three-point percentage (.471) and blocked shots (50). The sophomore forward also shot 58.1 percent from the field which placed second in the league.

MT was tabbed to win the SBC East after taking all 11 preseason first place votes. The Blue Raiders won the SBC Regular Season crown in 2011-12 with a 14-2 mark and earned votes in this year’s USA Today coaches’ preseason poll for the first time in program history.

North Texas was placed to finish first in the SBC West after receiving all 11 preseason first place votes.

The Blue Raiders return 10 of their top 12 leading scorers from last season, including Preseason All-SBC First Team selection Marcos Knight. The senior guard from Rentz, Ga., registered 11.8 points and 3.0 assists per game last year. His 1.6 assist:turnover ratio in conference play ranked third in the league.

Picked to finish second in the SBC East was South Alabama under the direction of 14th-year head coach Ronnie Arrow. The Jaguars return seven letterwinners and their top three scorers from last year’s 17-12 squad, with Preseason All-SBC First Team selection Augustine Rubit leading the way.

Rubit, a junior forward from Houston, Texas, earned All-SBC First Team accolades last year and was the only Jaguar to start all 29 games. He led the league in rebounding for the second consecutive season and ranked 38th in the nation with 9.2 per game. He also returns as the league’s leading scorer after dropping in 15.2 points a game last season, second best in the conference.

After leading UALR to a first-place finish in the SBC West last season, sophomore Will Neighbour inked his name on the Preseason All-SBC First Team. In his rookie season, the big man poured in 10.5 points per game while pulling down 5.3 rebounds. He also proved his shooting accuracy by knocking down 81.5 percent from the free throw line and 41.3 percent from beyond the arc.

Neighbour was a Second Team All-SBC selection last season and will look to lead a young UALR team that welcomes nine newcomers. The Trojans are guided by 10th-year head coach Steve Shields and are projected to finish third in the SBC West as they return three letterwinners.

Arkansas State senior guard Trey Finn rounded out the Preseason All-SBC First Team after sinking 11.6 points per game last season for the Red Wolves. Finn tallied 21 double-digit scoring games last season and also brought down 5.3 rebounds per game. He started 29 of 30 contests for ASU and connected on a team-high 61 three-pointers while shooting 45.9 percent from long-range.

Under the direction of fifth-year head coach John Brady, ASU was picked to finish second in the SBC West Division. The Red Wolves return four starters from last year’s team, including leading scorer and Preseason All-SBC Third Team selection Marcus Hooten.

Defending SBC Tournament champions WKU was tabbed for a third place finish in the SBC East and returns 63.3 percent of its scoring from last season. The Hilltoppers knocked off Mississippi Valley State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament last season and have won at least one game in its last three NCAA Tournament appearances (2008, 09, 12).

WKU returns four starters and nine letterwinners from last year’s team, including Preseason All-SBC Second Team selection George Fant. The Hilltoppers have made it to at least the SBC Tournament semifinals in eight consecutive seasons.

The SBC will have two regular-season nationally televised games on ESPN2 in addition to the SBC Championship finals in Hot Springs on March 11. Florida Atlantic will travel to Indiana on Dec. 21 in the first nationally televised game, and either WKU at MT or UALR at NT will be aired on ESPN2 on Jan. 26.

Four SBC contests will be nationally televised on ESPNU, and an additional eight matchups can be seen on ESPN3.com. The Sun Belt Network will air seven regular-season games and the SBC Championship quarterfinals and semifinals.

2012-13 Men’s Basketball Preseason All-Conference First Team

 ■Will Neighbour (UALR, Jr., Forward)

 ■Trey Finn (Arkansas State, Sr., Guard)

 ■Marcos Knight (Middle Tennessee, Sr., Guard)  

 ■Tony Mitchell (North Texas, So., Forward)

 ■Augustine Rubit (South Alabama, Jr., Forward)

2012-13 Men’s Basketball Preseason All-Conference Second Team

 ■Brandon Peterson (Arkansas State, Sr., Forward)

 ■Greg Gantt (Florida Atlantic, Sr., Guard)

 ■JT Sulton (Middle Tennessee, Sr., Forward)

 ■Bruce Massey (Middle Tennessee, Sr., Guard)

 ■George Fant (WKU, So., Forward)

2012-13 Men’s Basketball Preseason All-Conference Third Team

 ■Marcus Hooten (Arkansas State, Sr., Guard)

 ■Raymond Cintron (Middle Tennessee, Sr., Guard)

 ■Javier Carter (South Alabama, Sr., Forward)

 ■Freddie Goldstein (South Alabama, Sr., Guard)

 ■T.J. Price (WKU, So., Guard)

2012-13 Men’s Basketball Preseason Player of the Year

 ■Tony Mitchell (North Texas, So., Forward)

2012-13 Men’s Basketball Preseason Coaches’ Poll

(First place votes in parentheses)

EAST DIVISION

1. Middle Tennessee – 65 points (11)

2. South Alabama – 51 points

3. WKU – 47 points

4. Florida Atlantic – 29 points

5. Troy – 22 points

6. FIU – 17 points

WEST DIVISION

1. North Texas – 55 points (11)
2. Arkansas State – 40 points
3. UALR – 33 points
4. Louisiana-Lafayette – 24 points
5. Louisiana-Monroe – 13 points

UL-Monroe rolls over Florida Atlantic

UL-Monroe Warhawks are on a roll and they just kept on rolling as they defeated FAU at home to improve their conference standing.

Kolton Browning tossed a pair of touchdown passes and Monterrell Washington ran for two more, as Louisiana-Monroe rolled to a 35-14 win over Florida Atlantic in Sun Belt Conference action Saturday night.

The Warhawks (4-2, 2-0) jumped on the board first when Browning completed a 3-yard score to Brent Leonard. Washington followed that up with a 36-yard touchdown run, and then Mitchell Bailey scooped up a muffed punt attempt in the end zone to stretch the advantage to 21-0.

Louisiana-Monroe held FAU (1-4, 0-3) to 1.2 yards per carry and outgained the Owls 195-46 on the ground with no runner accounting for more than 60 yards.

The win makes Louisiana-Monroe one of three remaining undefeated teams in the Sun Belt.

FAU QB Graham Wilbert was 26-of-39 passing for 261 yards for the Owls.