Sun Belt Conference Football Predictions 2010

1. Troy Trojans -Troy lost some key guys off5. Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks -The Warhawks
last year's team, with Sun Belt Player of the Yearwill lean on running back Frank Goodin and one of
Levi Brown being the biggest loss, but thethe league's best running attacks, but they will still
Trojans will still have an excellent opportunity totake a small step back after losing so much on
win their fifth straight Sun Belt title. They will getthe defensive side of the football.
stiff competition from Middle Tennessee State,6. Louisiana-Lafayette Rajin' Cajuns -The Rajin'
but Troy has had little trouble with the BlueCajuns have been on the brink of landing in a bowl
Raiders. The Trojans have defeated MTSU eachgame in four of the last five years, but I don't
of the last four seasons during their title spree.think this will be the season where it finally
One of the best offensive lines in the league andhappens. The Cajuns are one of the weaker
playmakers like Jerrel Jernigan and Shawnoffensive teams in the league, and I don't see the
Southward should be enough to keep the Trojansoffense taking the next step after losing two of
at the top.the best offensive lineman in the conference.
2. Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders -The Blue7. North Texas Mean Green - The Mean Green
Raiders are the most likely team to end Troy'shave the potential to improve on last season's
run at the top, but they will have to beat the2-10 showing thanks to a potentially dangerous
Trojans in order to do so. They will get thatoffense. North Texas ranked fourth in the Sun
opportunity at home on October 5, but keep inBelt in scoring in 2009 (26.6 ppg) and even put up
mind that they lost to Troy 7-31 last season. QB68 and 40 points in a couple different games. But
Dwight Dasher is the preseason favorite to wina defense that allowed nearly 36 points per game
Sun Belt Player of the Year honors after throwinglast season will keep the Green from looking so
for 2,789 yards and rushing for 1,154 yards. In all,mean in the bottom half of the league.
he tallied 36 touchdowns. I thought MTSU would8. Florida International Golden Panthers - FIU has
have given the Trojans a much better game laststruggled under coach Mario Cristobal. In fact, it is
season, and that's why I'm reluctant to think theyonly 9-27 during his three seasons at the controls.
can break through. At the same time, I won't beThere just isn't going to be major improvement
at all surprised if they win the league.until the Golden Panthers can get a lot better
3. Florida Atlantic Owls - The Owls finished 5-3 indefensively. The Panthers ranked next to last
league play in 2009, and I really can't see themnationally in total defense in 2009.
doing any better this season. The key to9. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers -The Hilltoppers
improvement will be the defensive side of thefinished 0-12 in their first season in the FBS, but
football. The Owls allowed 33.8 points per gamethere is excitement entering the 2010 season
last year. With eight starters back the defenseafter the hiring of WKU great Willie Taggart as
should be somewhat improved, but likely nothead coach. The Hilltoppers showed great heart
enough to enter the title hunt.down the stretch in 2009, taking UL Monroe, FAU
4. Arkansas State Red Wolves - Unlike Troy, whoand Arkansas State right down to the wire. The
has proven its ability to reload under Larrywins won't start piling up this season, but the
Blakeney, Arkansas State will have trouble floatingHilltoppers should be a lot more competitive.
the losses of Corey Leonard and Reggie ArnoldMake sure you also check out my 2010 college
on the offensive side of the football. The goodfootball predictions to see how I have all the
news is last year's No. 1 ranked defense shouldother conferences shaping up.
remain stout.