This Week in the Sun Belt

We're down to the final couple of weeks of Sun Belt Conference play.  So far, the SBC has three bowl eligible teams, with Texas State waiting in the wings after their loss to South Alabama last week.  Georgia Southern, of course, must wait to see if there are bowl slots available before they can make any plans.

The biggest game this week is at Cajun Field, but all of the conference games are interesting.  The others?  Not so much

ARKANSAS STATE (-6) (6-4, 4-2) AT TEXAS STATE (3-3, 5-5)  Thursday, 8:30pm ESPNU--61 degrees at game time, 40% chance of showers--The Bobcats missed an opportunity to get to bowl eligibility last week, but have two more chances.  They should get it in the final game against Georgia State, but would love to get win #6 at home.  Arkasnas State got surprised at home by Appalachian State last week (first loss at home fo rthe Red Wolves and, although they've pretty much assured themselves of a bowl bid, the last thing they want is to stumble into their final game with a 6-5 record.  If Texas State is to have a chance, they have to slow down the ASU running game.

SOUTH ALABAMA (6-4, 5-3) AT SOUTH CAROLINA (5-5, 3-5)  Saturday, 11am --This game has been taken off the board, at least as of this writing.  The Gamecocks might have saved their season last week with that win over Florida.  With their arch-rival Clemson next week, the Gamecocks have to have this one if they're going to go to a bowl.  They should get it, but it would be wise not to look ahead.

GEORGIA STATE (1-9, 0-7) AT CLEMSON (7-3, 6-2) (-40.5) Saturday, 2:30, ESPN3--After a long season that has seen the Panthers drop nine straight, this is the last thing they need.

ULM (3-7, 2-4) AT NEW MEXICO STATE (2-8, 1-5)--Saturday, 3pm, ESPN3--Two teams that haven't won in a long time meet in Las Cruces on Saturday.  NMSU has lost eight in a row, while the Warhawks have dropped six straight.  Louisiana showed they can run the football against ULM and it will be interesting to see if the Aggies can do the same.  If New Mexico State can keep from turning the football over, they'll have a shot, especially considering the Warhawks have just lost to their in-state rival AND seen their faint bowl hopes squashed.  But that turnover thing is something that's bothered the Aggies all season.  It might be too much to ask.

APPALACHIAN STATE (5-5, 4-2) AT LOUISIANA (7-3, 6-0)(-10)  Saturday, 4pm ESPN3--The two hottest teams in the league clash at Cajun Field Saturday.  No one saw the recent outburst by the Mountaineers coming, especially after losing to FCS member Liberty.  But here they are, and their offense has been the reason.  App has scored over 30 points in five straight games.  Marcus Cox is over 1,100 yards rushing and Taylor Lamb has thrown only one interception the last four games.  However, the Mountaineers have allowed their share of points this season and it remains to be seen whether or not the App defense can handle the bruising Cajuns' offensive line.  Weather could be a factor.  Right now the extended forecast calls for a 100% chance of rain on Saturday.