This Week in the Sun Belt

For some, it's the final chance to make some non conference noise.

The Sun Belt hasn't had a lot of success out of conference so far this year.  They're hoping to change that this weekend, but SBC teams are all pretty big underdogs this weekend.

Georgia State is off after their scheduled Thursday game with Memphis was cancelled because of scheduling following Hurricane Irma.  Louisiana, Idaho and Appalachian State have open dates.  Arkansas State and Georgia Southern are off to prepare for their nationally televised (ugh) game next Wednesday night in Statesboro.

One conference game this week.  It is...

COASTAL CAROLINA (1-2) (+10') at ULM (1-2, 1-0), 6:00pm, ESPN3--We looked at the schedule and said, if ULM can start conference play with a win...well, they did.  The Warhawks have a chance to build more confidence over the next few weeks as the league schedule is favorable early.  The Chanticleers got a nice win over UMASS in week one, but got blown out by an FCS team (albeit a good one) last week.

NEW MEXICO STATE (2-2) (+17)  vs. ARKANSAS (1-2) 11am, SEC Network--Folks in Fayetteville aren't real happy right now after the Hogs stumbled against Texas A&M in the league opener.  It would do them well not to look past the Aggies, a team that's one of the most improved in the country.  Razorbacks have more talent.  Aggies want to make a statement.

TEXAS STATE (1-3) at WYOMING (2-2) 3:00, Facebook/Stadium TV--Hard to get a pulse on the Cowboys.  They've got a blowout win over Gardner-Webb and struggled to beat a Hawai'i team that isn't believed to be very good.  Their losses were blowouts to Iowa and Oregon.  But the Bobcats are still trying to figure out who they are and with so much youth, it's going to take a while.

SOUTH ALABAMA (1-3) (+14) at LOUISIANA TECH (2-2) 6:00 pm, ESPN3--The Jags fired their offensive coordinator after Saturday's loss to Idaho.  They'll need to find that offense against a Louisiana Tech squad that can put up points in a hurry.  Tech lost a heartbreaker to South Carolina last week.  They need to avoid a hangover before getting back into league play.

TROY (3-1) (+20') at LSU (3-1)  6:00 pm, ESPNU--Tigers didn't impress last week against Syracuse and LSU fans want to see a dominant win this week.  LSU certainly won't be able to throw their helmets out on the field and automatically get that blowout.  Troy might be the best out of conference team the Tigers face.  Remember the last time Troy visited Tiger Stadium?  I bet a lot of fans do.