As the Sun Belt Conference enters week three, the league found something to hang its hat on as Georgia Southern (a four point underdog at home) dismantled Western Michigan 43-17 for the league’s first out of conference G5 win of the season in three tries.  The league gets three more of those opportunities this weekend although only one is a favorite.

GEORGIA STATE (1-1, 1-0) (+46) AT #12 OREGON  Saturday, 1pm, Pac-12 network---Can you just imagine the plane ride home Saturday as the Panthers got their first-ever win over an FBS school, beating New Mexico State 34-32.  The Panthers scored on their first three possessions then withstood an Aggies rally.  New Mexico State missed a 48 yard field goal that would have won it as time expired.  But GSU got the win despite losing the turnover battle and that in itself was impressive.  Their reward?  A trip to Oregon to face a ticked off bunch of Ducks who fell at Michigan State last week.  Have a great trip, guys.

TROY (1-1) AT #24 WISCONSIN (1-1)  Saturday, 2:30pm, Big 10 Network—The Trojans got their new coach Neal Brown his first W last week with a 44-16 win over Charleston Southern.  The Trojans defense, most certainly a work in progress will get a stern test against the Badgers, who hung 58 on an outmanned Miami (OH) team.  But the paycheck will be a nice one.

WOFFORD (1-1) AT IDAHO (0-2)  Saturday, 4pm, ESPN3—Idaho has given up 104 points in its first two games.  They step out of division this week, to take on the Terriers in the Kibbie Dome.  Wofford lost to Clemson in its opener but had no trouble with Tennessee Tech in week two.  Wofford likes to run, run and run some  more and they’re good at it.  Idaho’s defense hasn’t been good (yeah, call me Mr. Obvious) and even though they’re playing an FCS school, their offense needs to be clicking…because Wofford’s will.

THE CITADEL (2-0) at GEORGIA SOUTHERN (1-1)  Saturday, 5pm, ESPN3—After failing to even get in the red zone against West Virginia in their opener, Georgia Southern looked like its old self against a solid Western Michigan squad.  Matt Brieda showed his all-conference form and, true to form, Georgia State completed just one pass…because they didn’t need to.  Quarterback Kevin Ellison is eligible to return after a two game suspension and, although the Citadel is a solid FCS squad, this is a good time to get Ellison on the field.  Because the competition will get tougher.

SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI (1-1) AT TEXAS STATE (1-1) (-3)—SATURDAY, 6pm ESPN3---After losing to Mississippi State in week one before a record crowd of 36,641, head coach Todd Monken lit up the fans after an announced crowd of only 23,642 showed up against Austin Peay (many have said that announced number was “generous.” Here in week three this is a huge game for the Golden Eagles as they try to rebuild what once was a proud program.  Hard to get a pulse on Texas State after being blown out (no surprise) by Florida State and then blowing out (no surprise) Prairie View.  This is a chance for the Sun Belt to pick up an OOC win against a G5 school.  But there’s certainly no guarantee.

MISSOURI STATE (1-1) AT ARKANSAS STATE (0-2)  Saturday, 6pm, ESPN3—Arkansas State played valiantly in a close loss to Mizzou at home last week and now they take on Mizzou State.  The Bears got killed by Memphis in week one then barely got by Chadron State last week.  Arkansas State will probably have a bit of a letdown this week after playing two ranked teams.  But it shouldn’t matter.

SOUTH ALABAMA (1-1) AT SAN DIEGO STATE (1-1) (-17) Saturday, 7pm, Mountain West Network—The Aztecs have a win over San Diego and a loss to Cal in their first two games.  SDSU is becoming a perennial bowl team and is a solid favorite in this game.  South Alabama got to experience gameday at Nebraska last week and Qualcomm Stadium will probably be a bit of a letdown after that.  Jags have a rugged non league schedule.  This is another example.

UTEP (0-2) (-2.5) AT NEW MEXICO STATE (0-2)—Saturday, 7pm, ESPN3---New Mexico State lost a tough one to Georgia State last week and, once again, the defense was the culprit.  They face UTEP in one of two annual battles (the other is vs. New Mexico).  These teams have been playing every year for a long time.  The Miners have allowed 117 points in their first two games.  And, although NMSU isn’t a bad offensive team, they haven't shown they can count on their defense to win.

Louisiana, UL Monroe and Appalachian State are open this week.

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