Sun Belt Struggles

[AtlAppMan]

A few points worth mentioning.

- Sun Belt is not having the best year against OOC peers
- Many of the OOC losses have been at the hands of significant P5 players
- ULL was overrated
- Sun Belt is probably having a bit of a down year vs recent years but so is B1G, every conference goes through these times

[hapapp]

It's not outside the realm of the possible that the SBC might go winless today. At this moment, only Troy not losing (tied the last I looked).

Unfortunately, this year the SBC might be living up to its perception.

The last sentence astounds me. A loss in the final seconds to a BCS school, a 2 yr program to AF by 10, to #14 SEC Ole Miss, another 2 year program to SEC Miss St, to SEC LSU, another 2 year program to Navy, everybody beats Idaho, and UTEP beat NMSU which was about the only equal footing game on the schedule. The only disappointing loss was Troy.

The folks on the Sun Belt board who have been around longer than any of us acknowledge the same. You can spin it how you want but every SBC team lost this week.

[hapapp]

I still think we are in the 4-6 win range for the season, but that outlook should firm up over the next two weeks. I watched the GS, Ark St., and USA games yesterday and watched ULM, GA St., and ULL games in prior weeks. It is nice to have the opportunity to scout these teams each week as a fan.

What a difference from the SoCon days. It really is nice to able to watch our entire conference on TV. The SBC is looking down this year, but I'm glad we are there nonetheless.

[EastHallApp]

As long as the SBC teams play SEC in OOC, no one will break through. The MAC play B1G in their OOC and they've had New Years Bowl teams. At the end of the day, 12-0 beats 9-3 in the eyes of most everyone, no matter the schedule.

I saw some quotes from Blakeney, Troy's 67-year-old coach. He sounded old and tired.

Forget the SEC, Sun Belt just needs to figure out how to be competitive against other G5 leagues. 1-6 so far with an average margin of -16.

[luvyosef]

Agree with the previous post. Forget the p5 teams. If we beat Southern Miss next Saturday, I think we will all start feeling more than good about the move up to FBS, more than we already have been. USM is ripe for the taking also. Safe travels to all Apps making the trip to Hattiesburg.

[97grad]

SBC definitely living up to their reputation thus far. That could be a good thing for us IF we can get some wins. But if we make a poor conference showing the naysayers will be coming out of the woodwork.

[Goapps15]

Neither the CUSA or Sun Belt have looked very good. Both conferences are extremely weak at the moment.

Some of the CUSA home crowds from this weekend were laughable. FIU hosted Pittsburgh and maybe had 5.000 people there at the maximum in the stadium.

[Niner National]

Neither the CUSA or Sun Belt have looked very good. Both conferences are extremely weak at the moment.

Some of the CUSA home crowds from this weekend were laughable. FIU hosted Pittsburgh and maybe had 5.000 people there at the maximum in the stadium.

FIU's attendance always sucks, just like Georgia State's.

FAU doesn't do great either, but they had a completely full student section with over 7,000 students in attendance.

UAB had 29,000+, which was one of their largest crowds ever. Looks like shit in that huge horrible stadium they have to play in, but an impressive number nonetheless.

MT had 25,000.

Marshall had 31,000.

UTEP had 33,000

ODU had over 20,000 (sellout).


CUSA has attendance issues, but this past weekend wasn't really a good weekend on pick on CUSA for attendance. It was actually pretty good.

Every G5 conference has attendance issues.

As for CUSA not looking good so far . Undefeated against G5 schools and they've played several P5 schools close, but haven't been able to close things out. The only P5 wins any G5 schools have have been against garbage teams like Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Indiana, and Purdue. None of the G5 wins over P5's have been impressive except ECU over VT.

[Goapps15]

Neither the CUSA or Sun Belt have looked very good. Both conferences are extremely weak at the moment.

Some of the CUSA home crowds from this weekend were laughable. FIU hosted Pittsburgh and maybe had 5.000 people there at the maximum in the stadium.

FIU's attendance always sucks, just like Georgia State's.

FAU doesn't do great either, but they had a completely full student section with over 7,000 students in attendance.

UAB had 29,000+, which was one of their largest crowds ever. Looks like shit in that huge horrible stadium they have to play in, but an impressive number nonetheless.

MT had 25,000.

Marshall had 31,000.

UTEP had 33,000

ODU had over 20,000 (sellout).


CUSA has attendance issues, but this past weekend wasn't really a good weekend on pick on CUSA for attendance. It was actually pretty good.

Every G5 conference has attendance issues.

As for CUSA not looking good so far . Undefeated against G5 schools and they've played several P5 schools close, but haven't been able to close things out. The only P5 wins any G5 schools have have been against garbage teams like Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Indiana, and Purdue. None of the G5 wins over P5's have been impressive except ECU over VT.

Touche on I totally had blanked on Marshall. Always get them confused. Played in the MAC ten years back. I think majority of people are overreacting either way. Sun Belt is down this year but I think outside of very few G5 teams it is down year across the board. ECU & Marshall are the two best as of right now.

[Black Saturday]

The early part of this season has been crazy. South Carolina looked horrible in wk 1 and beats Georgia. Va Tech wins in the horseshoe and loses at home to ECU. It's been hard to evaluate which teams are good as of yet. I am not sold on Ga Southern yet. They are a lot more balanced on offense this year but there isn't much film on them yet. Coaches will now have some good film on this offense to find the weaknesses. They are plenty physical, but they have mental breakdowns. Also, I think they may have some good talent starting, but our depth is better. IMO

I think GaSouthern would be favored 8-10 points over APP at the moment. Considering all things.

[Niner National]

Neither the CUSA or Sun Belt have looked very good. Both conferences are extremely weak at the moment.

Some of the CUSA home crowds from this weekend were laughable. FIU hosted Pittsburgh and maybe had 5.000 people there at the maximum in the stadium.

FIU's attendance always sucks, just like Georgia State's.

FAU doesn't do great either, but they had a completely full student section with over 7,000 students in attendance.

UAB had 29,000+, which was one of their largest crowds ever. Looks like shit in that huge horrible stadium they have to play in, but an impressive number nonetheless.

MT had 25,000.

Marshall had 31,000.

UTEP had 33,000

ODU had over 20,000 (sellout).


CUSA has attendance issues, but this past weekend wasn't really a good weekend on pick on CUSA for attendance. It was actually pretty good.

Every G5 conference has attendance issues.

As for CUSA not looking good so far . Undefeated against G5 schools and they've played several P5 schools close, but haven't been able to close things out. The only P5 wins any G5 schools have have been against garbage teams like Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Indiana, and Purdue. None of the G5 wins over P5's have been impressive except ECU over VT.

Touche on I totally had blanked on Marshall. Always get them confused. Played in the MAC ten years back. I think majority of people are overreacting either way. Sun Belt is down this year but I think outside of very few G5 teams it is down year across the board. ECU & Marshall are the two best as of right now.

Cinci has played only one game, but they look really good too.

I'm not a big believer in Marshall honestly. They're good, but I think they drop a game or two. Marshall really needs ECU to lose this week and for UNC and VT to disappoint in ACC play, otherwise, I think ECU will get into the access bowl over them even if they are undefeated.

[AppSt94]

The early part of this season has been crazy. South Carolina looked horrible in wk 1 and beats Georgia. Va Tech wins in the horseshoe and loses at home to ECU. It's been hard to evaluate which teams are good as of yet. I am not sold on Ga Southern yet. They are a lot more balanced on offense this year but there isn't much film on them yet. Coaches will now have some good film on this offense to find the weaknesses. They are plenty physical, but they have mental breakdowns. Also, I think they may have some good talent starting, but our depth is better. IMO

I think GaSouthern would be favored 8-10 points over APP at the moment. Considering all things.

I would take 8 points all day long.

[asu66]

I'm more worried about our next game (SoMIis) than I am about a game almost two weeks away. If we think Alabama is more than two points better than Michigan (and I believe that's a fair assumption); then we could be in for a long afternoon at Hattiesburg.

I know, I know; point comparisons are worthless. In this case, however, they make me worry. That, plus the fact that SoMIss was able to throw the ball against the 'Bama D and gave up only one sack all afternoon. That's plenty to worry about.

[Black Saturday]

The early part of this season has been crazy. South Carolina looked horrible in wk 1 and beats Georgia. Va Tech wins in the horseshoe and loses at home to ECU. It's been hard to evaluate which teams are good as of yet. I am not sold on Ga Southern yet. They are a lot more balanced on offense this year but there isn't much film on them yet. Coaches will now have some good film on this offense to find the weaknesses. They are plenty physical, but they have mental breakdowns. Also, I think they may have some good talent starting, but our depth is better. IMO

I think GaSouthern would be favored 8-10 points over APP at the moment. Considering all things.

I would take 8 points all day long.

Just saw the thread where APP is underdog for 3.5 to long time streak loser SoMiss, you taking that too?

[EastHallApp]

I'm more worried about our next game (SoMIis) than I am about a game almost two weeks away. If we think Alabama is more than two points better than Michigan (and I believe that's a fair assumption); then we could be in for a long afternoon at Hattiesburg.

I know, I know; point comparisons are worthless. In this case, however, they make me worry. That, plus the fact that SoMIss was able to throw the ball against the 'Bama D and gave up only one sack all afternoon. That's plenty to worry about.

Transitive property is rarely much use, but especially worthless when comparing 40 point losses. Just looking at USM's schedule, it would tell you Miss. State is 9 points better than Bama.

Rather than looking at non-competitive games, one might at least ask if we are more than 6 points better than Alcorn State.

[Gonzo]

I'm more worried about our next game (SoMIis) than I am about a game almost two weeks away. If we think Alabama is more than two points better than Michigan (and I believe that's a fair assumption); then we could be in for a long afternoon at Hattiesburg.

I know, I know; point comparisons are worthless. In this case, however, they make me worry. That, plus the fact that SoMIss was able to throw the ball against the 'Bama D and gave up only one sack all afternoon. That's plenty to worry about.

That is very concerning given our poor secondary.

[AppSt94]

The early part of this season has been crazy. South Carolina looked horrible in wk 1 and beats Georgia. Va Tech wins in the horseshoe and loses at home to ECU. It's been hard to evaluate which teams are good as of yet. I am not sold on Ga Southern yet. They are a lot more balanced on offense this year but there isn't much film on them yet. Coaches will now have some good film on this offense to find the weaknesses. They are plenty physical, but they have mental breakdowns. Also, I think they may have some good talent starting, but our depth is better. IMO

I think GaSouthern would be favored 8-10 points over APP at the moment. Considering all things.

I would take 8 points all day long.

Just saw the thread where APP is underdog for 3.5 to long time streak loser SoMiss, you taking that too?

I started the thread. I would. IA 3.5 point road underdog basically translates into an even game. The money line supports this as well. To avoid confusion, I am looking at the line from a betting standpoint and not a which team is better. The line started at 4 and was bet down to 3.5. It takes quite a bit of money to move a line a half point so the early betters see value in App State. As for GSU and 8 points that is a lock. By offering a 8 point line you are asking a team that gives up a lot of points to when by two possessions and you cross two important numbers to handicappers in 4 and 7. Given their history and the fact this is a rivalry game, I would take the 8. Now I would never make the actual bet because it would violate one of two longstanding rules I have for wagering.

[AppSt94]

I'm more worried about our next game (SoMIis) than I am about a game almost two weeks away. If we think Alabama is more than two points better than Michigan (and I believe that's a fair assumption); then we could be in for a long afternoon at Hattiesburg.

I know, I know; point comparisons are worthless. In this case, however, they make me worry. That, plus the fact that SoMIss was able to throw the ball against the 'Bama D and gave up only one sack all afternoon. That's plenty to worry about.

That is very concerning given our poor secondary.

Southern Miss has thrown for 202, 208, and 207 in their three games. Against Miss St and Alabama the completion percentage is around 50%. They were around 66% against Alcorn.

[Goapps15]

I also believe Alabama was staying very vanilla on both sides of the ball on Saturday night. Basically pounded the rock up the gut most of the night. Announcers even said the same due to their game with Florida this Saturday.

Southern Miss will give us all we can handle. If App is to win, both Cox and Upshaw need a 125 + yards of total offense. I would pound the rock with those two all night long. Both are well rested and will be ready for Saturday night. I expect both QBs to play plenty of snaps. We just need them to play smart football and limit mistakes.

[Niner National]

I'm more worried about our next game (SoMIis) than I am about a game almost two weeks away. If we think Alabama is more than two points better than Michigan (and I believe that's a fair assumption); then we could be in for a long afternoon at Hattiesburg.

I know, I know; point comparisons are worthless. In this case, however, they make me worry. That, plus the fact that SoMIss was able to throw the ball against the 'Bama D and gave up only one sack all afternoon. That's plenty to worry about.

That is very concerning given our poor secondary.

Well fortunately for you guys, USM's weakest link seems to be their passing game.

Their QB doesn't look great and their receivers look scared to catch the ball.