This Week in the Sun Belt – Week Five

Texas State opened up the Sun Belt Conference season with a triple overtime win over Georgia State.  The Bobcats are out of conference this week while the Panthers are idle.    Everyone else in the league has their first conference game on Saturday.

COASTAL CAROLINA (3-1) (+16) at APPALACHIAN STATE (3-0)  2:30pm ESPN+--Make no mistake about it, Coastal is playing pretty well.  There was a lot of skepticism about Jamey Chadwell but he's gotten the Chants off to a good start.  But App is easily the best team they've played all season.  The line is interesting because App is coming off a big win against UNC and travels to Louisiana next.  Will the Mountaineers be properly focused?

LOUISIANA (3-1) (-3') at GEORGIA SOUTHERN (1-2) 5:00 pm ESPN+--The Eagles have had a week to get over a loss to Minnesota that should have been a win.  And, they're probably going to get Shai Werts back, which is a big plus.  The Cajuns got a solid road win against an Ohio team that probably will be playing for the MAC title in December.  Both teams want to run the football.  In the FBS era, GS is 0-17 when they are outrushed.  Interesting stat to be sure.

ARKANSAS STATE (2-2) (+6') at TROY (2-1)  5:00 ESPN+--These teams are contenders in their respective divisions, but both are dealing with quite a few injuries.  Both teams can be explosive offensively, but both have had issues on defense.  The biggest question mark for A-State is QB Logan Bonner, who is questionable.  I do know this...If both quarterbacks play, over 61 looks like a pretty good bet to me.

SOUTH ALABAMA (1-3) (+16) at ULM (1-2) 6:00 ESPN+--Warhawks just disappeared in the second half against a good Iowa State team, but that's better than the Jags, who didn't show up at all at UAB a week ago.  Jags will have a heckuva time against the ULM offense, which is solid.  For that matter, they'll have a heckuva time against the 'Hawks defense, too.

NICHOLLS (2-1) (-3') at TEXAS STATE (1-3) 6:00 ESPN3--You read it right...the Colonels are favored in this game, in part because of quarterback Chase Fourcade, who is a really good one.  Bobcats feelin' good after getting Jake Spavital his first win last week.  This is the fourth straight road game for Nicholls.  Two things are certain here.  One, Tim Rebowe is a very good coach and two, the Colonels are going to play hard for 60 minutes.  We'll see if that's enough.