[SBRforum Staff]

Sun Belt - Search For Respect

The Sun Belt Conference continues to live in anonymity despite recent successes, and enters 2006 looking to gain some respect from the media, the fans and the bettors.
By: Marc Lawrence
http://www.playbook.com

The new kids on the block continue their search for identity in 2006. In just four seasons, the league has secured a bowl win (2002 New Orleans Bowl), had multiple teams reach the postseason (2004 - North Texas and Troy) and had Troy’s Demarcus Ware chosen as the 11th overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. Still, they’ve still got this ‘Louisiana Garbage Can’image they’d like to kick.

ARKANSAS STATE
If more teams developed Arkansas State head coach Steve Roberts’ I Will philosophy there would likely be an over abundance of bowl-eligible teams. I Will became We Did in 2005 when the Indians overachieved their way to its 1st-ever bowl game. That was the same Arkansas State squad that was ranked No. 115 in SPORTS ILLUSTRATED’S preseason poll in 2005. Roberts will be put to the task this season with numerous offensive holes to fill, including a new starting quarterback and a pair of replacement running backs. Then again, last year’s team featured a lot of new faces snapping on their chin straps. Don’t count him out.
PLAY ON: vs. Army (9/2)

LA-LAFAYETTE
Now here’s a non-descript team that doesn’t smell up the joint. After capturing a share of the Sun Belt Conference championship last season, head coach Rickey Bustle was inked to a contract extension through 2010, and it’s easy to understand why. His teams have increased its win percentage each season since his arrival four years ago. They lose only 13 lettermen from last year’s championship squad and, behind SR QB Jerry Babb, will face only one opponent with a winning record in 2006 (LSU in their opener). To top it off they enter this new season riding the nation’s 7th longest win streak. Not bad for a Louisiana garbage can.
PLAY ON: vs. Texas A&M (9/9)

LA-MONROE
Here we go again with yet another ‘politically correct’ nickname change. In yielding to pressure from the native American Indian sovereignty, they switched from the Indians to the Warhawks. Now that’s a nice new surname saturated with serenity. It’s also reassuring knowing that when they go on the warpath (as Warhawks have been known to do) they will no longer be slighting the American Indian (sic). Meanwhile, head coach Charlie Weatherbie’s warriors have been collecting scalps on a regular basis of late as they’ve come away winners in 10 of their last 18 battles. They’d better win early and often this year as the last five games of the season are away from the reservation.
PLAY ON: vs. Louisiana-Lafayette (11/25)

MID TENNESSEE STATE
On the heels of their fourth consecutive sub .500 effort, former head coach Andy McCollom was dispatched in favor of Rick Stockstill, an assistant at South Carolina the last two seasons. If Stockstill were a racehorse his blood lines would be impeccable, as he’s tutored under the likes of Steve Spurrier, Lou Holtz, Danny Ford, Tommy Bowden, Ken Hatfield and Tommy West. He’ll rely heavily on SR southpaw QB Clint Marks, who has started 21 consecutive games while completing 66% of his passes. Faced with seven road games, and a 4th new defensive coordinator in as many years, let’s hope Stockstill doesn’t buck shins in his maiden season.
PLAY ON: vs. Florida International (8/31)

NORTH TEXAS
A disastrous 2005 season, one the athletic department cares to refer to as a ‘hiccup in the rear view mirror’, saw the Eagles 26-game conference win streak snapped to shreds. In truth it was more like a Heimlich maneuver gone bad when North Texas was solidly outgained in each of their 11 contests. The not-so-mean Green Machine was absolutely pummeled outside the conference, outscored 204-26 in an 0-4 effort. The return of 50 lettermen, along with16 starters, should help the healing process. RB Jamario Thomas will need to return to his 2004 form when he lead the nation in rushing. Otherwise it will be another difficult season to swallow.
PLAY ON: vs. Florida Atlantic (11/18)

TROY
Like many of the big name schools that suffer a losing season, Troy has a tendency to bounce back up off the carpet the following year. In his 16 season with the Trojans, head coach Larry Blakeney has suffered through only four losing years. His teams are 24-11 combined the following season. He’ll be put to the test early on in 2006 when his team opens on the road in four of their initial five games. They will also have to overcome a seven-game road itinerary. To their credit, Troy was the No.1 ranked team in total defense in the Sun Belt Conference last season. Unfortunately, they ranked dead-last in red-zone efficiency on both sides of the ball.
PLAY ON: vs. Louisiana Monroe (10/21)

[bigboydan]

the sunbelt is the type of conference we all need to do our homework on, because theres value in them.

La. Lafayette i feel could be a covering machine this year.