This Week in Sun Belt Football

Once again, there are five league games on tap this week.  And, once again, one of them is a weeknight game in prime time.  Here are the games this week in the league.

THURSDAY

LOUISIANA (4-4, 3-1) at SOUTH ALABAMA (4-4, 2-2) (-2.5)  6:30, ESPNU--South Alabama survived its first "must" win with last week's come from behind win over Idaho.  Now the Jags host Louisiana, another school that needs to split its last four games to get bowl eligible.  But for the Cajuns, it's something a little more at stake.  While Arkansas State is the clear leader in the league, the Cajuns have only one conference loss.  That being said, it would be good for the Cajuns to remember the last time they went to Mobile.  Both teams have had consistency problems.  The team that values possession of the football will have the best chance to win.

SATURDAY

ARKANSAS STATE (6-3, 5-0) at UL MONROE (1-8, 0-5) (+14.5) , 2:00, ESPN3--Two teams streaking in opposite directions meet at JPS Field/Malone Stadium Saturday afternoon.  The Red Wolves have won five in a row and have the inside track toward the league title.  The Warhawks have lost seven straight and were blown out early last week.  Two questions about the game:  One, will the Red Wolves have a letdown after last week's emotional win and two, will there be anyone in the stands to see it?

GEORGIA SOUTHERN (6-2, 4-1) at TROY (3-6, 2-3) (+6), 2:30 ESPN3--It wasn't long ago this game looked like a mismatch.  Not any more.  Troy had the close call against App State and then just blew out ULM last week.  Neal Brown's team is probably the club that has improved the most from the beginning of the season until now.  Georgia Southern has had an extra week to prepare.  My guess is the Trojans don't care about that.  They're playing hard and believing in Brown and the system.  Georgia Southern had better be ready to play.  Troy just keeps getting better.

GEORGIA STATE (2-6, 1-3) at TEXAS STATE (2-6, 1-3) (-3)  3pm, ESPN3--You know that old saying about "learning how to win?"  Meet the Panthers.  If they could close out a game they might be, at worst, 4-4 and maybe even better.  They've found different ways to lose and last week's ill-fated fake punt (that was not called by the coaches) is just the latest.  In the meantime, Texas State lost decisively to New Mexico State last week at home.  Georgia State is certainly capable.  Will they get it done or find another reason for us to say "they just don't know how to win."

APPALACHIAN STATE (7-2, 4-1) at IDAHO (3-6, 2-4) (+17.5)  4pm, ESPN 3---The Mountaineers don't lose many at "The Rock": and last week's convincing win by Arkansas State undoubtedly has the boys from Boone smarting a bit.  But App still has a chance for a ten win regular season and probably won't be happy when they get to Moscow.  Long trip.  But Idaho blew leads the last two games...games they think they could have won.  Is there anything left in the tank?  Will it matter?