The Sun Belt Conference finished 2010 ranked #11, and there is no reason to believe any significant change is in order in 2011. The biggest change this season may be the conference champion hailing from somewhere other than Troy, Alabama....
2010 Champion: Troy
2011 Champion Prediction: Florida International
Florida International had a stupendous year, breaking out of a string of sub-500 finishes to reach the Little Caesar's Bowl, defeating Toledo 34-32. The Panthers almost upset both Rutgers and Texas A&M, and finished the season strong, winning 7 of their last 9. This year's team faces an easy, easy nonconference schedule (@ Louisville, vs UCF, vs Duke, @ Akron).Yes, Louisville and UCF are programs on the rise, but Florida International can hang with the middle-of-the road Big East and cream of C-USA. 2-2 is probable, but 4-0 is not out of the question. The conference slate sets up nicely, getting Troy at home, though the Panthers do have to travel to Middle Tennessee in the season finale.
2011 Sun Belt Predicted Finish:
1. FIU (9-3, 7-1 Sun Belt)
2. Troy (8-4, 7-1 Sun Belt)
3. North Texas (7-5, 6-2 Sun Belt)
4. UL Monroe (6-6, 5-3 Sun Belt)
5. Florida Atlantic (4-8, 4-4 Sun Belt)
6. Middle Tennessee (4-8, 3-5 Sun Belt)
7. Western Kentucky (3-9, 3-5 Sun Belt)
8. Arkansas State (1-11, 1-7 Sun Belt)
9. UL Lafayette (1-11, 0-8 Sun Belt)
Biggest Surprise: North Texas.
Dan McCarney is well known for taking Iowa State from floormat to within a game of playing for the Big 12 title, and has a hard-nosed rushing attack that may be out of place in the Sun Belt. The Mean Green should have the best rushing offense in the conference, and perhaps one of the best in the nation.
Upset Special: North Texas over Indiana. North Texas put a scare into Kansas State last year, and Indiana isn't any better than the Wildcats. Dan McCarney gets a signature win just a month into the season.
No comments:
Post a Comment