This Weekend in the Sun Belt

The standings are pretty jumbled in the Sun Belt Conference and this weekend should be interesting.

With each team having a bye week during the season, it's hard to decipher who has the advantage from week to week. Here's a look at what's happening this weekend.

SOUTH ALABAMA (20-10, 7-5) AT ARKANSAS STATE (12-15, 3-8)--The Jaguars lead the Sun Belt in every statistical category (hitting, pitching, defense) and yet sit in the middle of the pack in the league. As it was last year, the Jaguars lack power, but they are getting people on base. Arkansas State got bitten by the weather, including having two series moved to other states. But if the Red Wolves are going to make a move, this would be a good weekend to do it. Playing in Jonesboro should give them an advantage. It's the second straight weekend on the road for the Jags, who took two of three from ULM over the past weekend.

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TROY (15-15, 4-5) AT APPALACHIAN STATE (9-21, 2-10)--Tough weekend for the Mountaineers, who lost three at UALR, all in walkoff fashion. The key for the series will be App State's ability to try and solve Grant Bennett, who has stepped to the forefront as one of the league's better pitchers. If App is going to have a chance to make the conference tournament, they've got to win series like this at home.

UALR (10-14, 7-4) AT GEORGIA STATE (17-13, 6-2)--It's a high water mark for the Trojans, who are off to their best start in league history with a 7-4 record. The Trojans have had a propensity for the dramatic, as their last five league wins at home have all been in walkoff fashion. Now they take on the league's biggest surprise. Georgia State failed to make the league tournament a year ago and here they sit on top of the league standings after sweeping UT Arlington on the road. Both teams have pitched very well in league play. Nathan Bates has turned into one of the league's best pitchers, and the Friday night matchup should be a good one. The big question here is, can UALR get any kind of road magic to go along with what they've done at Gary Hogan Field. Contenders? We'll find out this weekend.

UT ARLINGTON (13-14, 4-5) AT UL MONROE (13-13, 3-6) ULM manage to salvage the final game of their three game set against South Alabama last weekend, and this is a big weekend for them. The Warhawks have pitched surprisingly well this season and Kodie Tidwell has turned into one of the league's best hitters. UTA, meanwhile, has been an enigma of sorts. They've beaten Texas, TCU and Baylor, but got swept at home against Georgia State last weekend. The Mavericks have a lot to prove in league play. A road win this weekend would mean a lot for them.

TEXAS STATE (13-15-1, 8-4) has a three game non conference series at Baylor