No Sunbelt Championship in 2020

[NoLongerLurking]

There won't be one. Period.

[AppAlum1]

SP+ this week ranks App St at 21, Marshall at 23, Coastal at 25, Louisiana at 31 and Liberty at 32.

App is 3rd best G5, behind Cinci & BYU.

As a predictor, SP+ is pretty good.

I think we beat La. & we beat GaSo in an epic smackdown! As to Bowl games, I'm tired of playing MAC teams or Conf. USA teams. A nice opponent from the 'Merkan conf. would be GREAT! Especially if I can go to the game. Just sayin!

Is that what we are about now? Some other rankings other than the AP or Coaches Poll?

It’s going to be tough to beat Louisiana this year. At least we are playing in December!
We owe Southern a smack

Listen more carefully, grasshopper. SP+ is not a popularity contest like the AP or the coaches poll.

Its a better predictor than either because it uses objective stats rather than subjective and biased votes.

Yes Louisiana will be a tough game but SP+ predicts an App win. And polls dont matter against Stinksboro.

[Stonewall]

We’ve got two rivalry games to finish out the year( I’m not sure what Bowl season will look like) , the opportunity to deliver a strong message.A message to our opponents ,the rest of the conference, and potential recruits. Get it done.

[AppinATL]

It sucks right now because it's current but 2020 will always have an asterisk next to it. In the long run not playing for the conference championship in 2020 wont be that big of a deal. 2020 is a weird year. Weird things happen in a weird year.

I am not sure why there is an asterisk to this year. We lost to Marshall and Coastal. Two undefeated teams. We played a full conference slate and lost to an undefeated team. Congrats to Coastal. I get tired of the idea that there is an "asterisk" to the year. We have injuries.. Every team has to deal with injuries. We deal with injuries and next man up. For Coastal Game, did we have substantial number of players out due to covid? Not sure how this year is an asterisk as it relates to conference and conference championship. Hopefully, we go undefeated for next two games and win a bowl game for a 10 win season. I do not believe that does not deserve an asterisk. I will take that tally most years.

Dude, you seriously don’t see why an asterisk? This covid sh** has put a big * on the season. Teams cancelling games, postponing, playing with lots of starters and coaches missing because of positive tests, players opting out, I could go on and on. And it has bot hit every team equally. And we don’t even know yet if we will get to play a full slate of conference games at this point. I’ve said all along, this season is one big glorified spring practice.

[bigdaddyg]

It sucks right now because it's current but 2020 will always have an asterisk next to it. In the long run not playing for the conference championship in 2020 wont be that big of a deal. 2020 is a weird year. Weird things happen in a weird year.

I am not sure why there is an asterisk to this year. We lost to Marshall and Coastal. Two undefeated teams. We played a full conference slate and lost to an undefeated team. Congrats to Coastal. I get tired of the idea that there is an "asterisk" to the year. We have injuries.. Every team has to deal with injuries. We deal with injuries and next man up. For Coastal Game, did we have substantial number of players out due to covid? Not sure how this year is an asterisk as it relates to conference and conference championship. Hopefully, we go undefeated for next two games and win a bowl game for a 10 win season. I do not believe that does not deserve an asterisk. I will take that tally most years.

Dude, you seriously don’t see why an asterisk? This covid sh** has put a big * on the season. Teams cancelling games, postponing, playing with lots of starters and coaches missing because of positive tests, players opting out, I could go on and on. And it has bot hit every team equally. And we don’t even know yet if we will get to play a full slate of conference games at this point. I’ve said all along, this season is one big glorified spring practice.

I tend to agree. How is this not an asterisk season (so to speak)? Some teams are nearly finished with their season yet 3rd ranked Ohio State has played 4 games. One more cancelled game and they won’t qualify for their conference championship- somehow they would still be in the playoffs I’m sure. At any rate I’ve said the same thing all season- cancelled games, suspended games, games with players or coaches in quarantine, players opting out. I can’t accept that “next man up” reasoning and the notion that everyone is dealing with the same stuff- not true completely. I still think it will be a miracle if the season finishes and there are championship games and bowl games. Speaking of which can schools afford to take teams to bowl cities and hang out a few days? Is App, for example going to travel to Florida, Alabama or Louisiana to play a game in an empty stadium?

[Yosef84]

I have to agree that this season has to come with an asterisk, but I don't see it as a total mulligan. It's not that the games don't matter. It's just that additional information is needed to provide context to the season. It's like the "wind aided" asterisk in track & field. It doesn't nullify the performance but it needs to be there. App has been dealing with the transition to a new staff, which makes the Covid restrictions even more impactful (in my opinion). Yes, we have under performed somewhat, but that happens, especially in transition years. No denying that we have missed our opt-out players.

The polls have been impacted even more than individual teams though. Conferences starting late, or not playing has absolutely changed the methodology and opened the door for higher rankings for teams like CCU and Marshall. I'm not saying they haven't earned their ranking, but it came much earlier in the season than it otherwise would have. It's been a crazy year, but I"m glad we have App football to watch.