Sun Belt – 2009 Football Betting Preview

2009 Sun Belt Football Betting Preview

In 2008, the Sun Belt Conference overall had a solid year. The conference finished with 4 bowl-eligible programs, sending 2 teams to bowls and ended up with a 1-1 record. The Sun Belt also earned some recognition during the regular season as 2 of their teams defeated BCS conference teams and a few others almost had some close upsets, the most notable was Troy giving away a 31-3 3rd quarter lead over defending National Champs LSU on the road into a devastating 40-31 loss. But ultimately the word is out and traditional powers beware because you better not take the Sun Belt Conference lightly.

This season will mark the 9th season as a football playing conference. And finally the Sun Belt is now complete with Western Kentucky officially becoming a full member after completing their two year transition to Division 1 football. With nine teams, the league schedule has been expanded to a balanced schedule of 8 games split evenly between home/away for each team. The 2009-2010 season will be the first time a SEC team will play a member of the Sun Belt as Middle Tennessee gets to compete against Mississippi State at home.

Defending champions Troy Trojans are trying to become the first back to back outright champions since ’04. Troy has won a share of the title in each of the past 3 years but the Owls of Florida Atlantic earned the Sun Belt Conference’s automatic bowl berth due to their head-to-head victory over Troy in ’07. Behind them is an improved group of teams that all have an excellent chance to battle for the conference championship.

OUR 2009 SUN BELT STANDINGS PREDICTIONS

1. Troy Trojans
2. North Texas Mean Green
3. Arkansas State Red Wolves
4. Florida Atlantic Owls
5. Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks
6. Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders
7. Florida International Golden Panthers
8. Louisiana Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns
9. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

Troy Trojans

The Sun Belt Conference was dominated by the Trojans, but Troy failed to make their mark on the national stage playing the big boys. Losses to teams like Ohio State, Oklahoma State and LSU is understandable and expected, but Troy could have beaten the Southern Miss Rebels in the New Orleans Bowl and at least given the team some momentum going into their ’09 season.

(Our Predicted 2009 Conference Record: 7-1)

Troy 2009 Season Preview – Troy 2009 Season Schedule

North Texas Mean Green

The Mean Green has 3 wins during the Coach Todd Dodge era, thanks to Western Kentucky. North Texas beat the Hilltoppers in ’07 and once again in ’08 and that was their only victory. With stats like that it would seem that this is a team heading down the wrong path, but Coach Dodge is still bringing in his players. And they will be much improved this season with those players on the field this season.

(Our Predicted 2009 Conference Record: 6-2)

North Texas 2009 Season Preview – North Texas 2009 Season Schedule

Arkansas State Red Wolves

The Red Wolves had the 2nd best rushing offense and 3rd best total offense in the Sun Belt Conference in ’08. Much of that success can be attributed to the stellar play of Arkansas State’s offensive line. Now with the majority of the o-line gone due to graduations they will have to rely on some less experienced players to open up the holes for them to move the ball down the field this season.

(Our Predicted 2009 Conference Record: 5-3)

Arkansas State 2009 Season Preview – Arkansas State 2009 Season Schedule

Florida Atlantic Owls

The Owls could have been had special season in ’08. Florida Atlantic had a great QB and a dynamic offense and an experienced D. Just about everybody had Coach Howard Schnellenberger’s squad tabbed as the Sun Belt Conference champions before the season even started. While Florida Atlantic was not supposed to win non-conference road games against Texas, Michigan State or Minnesota, the team could have been better than 4-3 in league play.

(Our Predicted 2009 Conference Record: 5-3)

Florida Atlantic 2009 Season Preview – Florida Atlantic 2009 Season Schedule

UL-Monroe Warhawks

The ’08 Louisiana Monroe did not do anything particularly well last season, but it was a relatively young team who should only get better in 2009. The Warhawks Coach Charlie Weatherbie certainly knows what it takes to win games in the Conference and his goal will be to win at least 6 games and become bowl eligible this year.

(Our Predicted 2009 Conference Record: 4-4)

UL-Monroe 2009 Season Preview – UL-Monroe 2009 Season Schedule

Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders

The Blue Raiders have failed to reach a bowl game since ’06 season when they lost to Central Michigan in the Motor City Bowl. Since then Middle Tennessee State have been painfully close to another bowl berth, but have fallen short in both ’07 and ’08. This could be the year when Coach Rick Stockstill and the Blue Raiders get back to a bowl game.

(Our Predicted 2009 Conference Record: 4-4)

Middle Tennessee State 2009 Season Preview – Middle Tennessee State 2009 Season Schedule

Florida International Panthers

The Golden Panthers of Florida International won and impressive five games and were extremely close to becoming bowl eligible. That was a few more wins than everyone had expected, and it could be even better this season. Coach Mario Cristobal continues to tap the deep talent pool in Florida and the program is well ahead of schedule and should compete in a bowl game in ’09.

(Our Predicted 2009 Conference Record: 2-6)

Florida International 2009 Season Preview – Florida International 2009 Season Schedule

Louisiana Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns

It was the Ragin’ Cajuns D that kept them from reaching the 7 win mark and reaching a bowl game. Meanwhile, the Louisiana Lafayette offense was tops in the Sun Belt Conference. The tables will turn this season as the offense lost most of its play makers and the young talented defense is a year older with some experience under their belt.

(Our Predicted 2009 Conference Record: 2-6)

Louisiana Lafayette 2009 Season Preview – Louisiana Lafayette 2009 Season Schedule

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

Well this is the big year for the Hilltoppers. After dominating what is now the FCS during the early part of the decade, Western Kentucky started playing some FBS competition over the last few seasons in preparation for the ’09 season. The team is now officially a member of the Sun Belt conference and are now eligible for a bowl berth. But don’t get too excited because a bowl berth is not going to happen for the Hilltoppers first year.

(Our Predicted 2009 Conference Record: 1-7)

Western Kentucky 2009 Season Preview – Western Kentucky 2009 Season Schedule

Sun Belt – 2009 Football Season Overview

The Sun Belt Conference looks to have another strong season and could field its deepest edition yet. It would surprise us if at least one Sun Belt program did not knock off a BCS opponent this season. The improved addition of the Hilltoppers means that for the first time every school has an even number of home and away games, eliminating an erratic scheduling advantage from previous seasons, making the conference more competitive.

We predict a major turnaround for North Texas Mean Green once again, and another strong year for the Florida Atlantic Owls and a big step back for Louisiana. These picks may be surprising to some but we think that they will come to fruition this fall. Our lock pick is the Troy Trojans to repeat as the Sun Belt Champions, with their combination of athleticism and experience. It is possible that the Troy Trojans can win 10 games this season.