Georgia Southern (5-2, 4-0)
Georgia Southern is not only first in the Sun Belt, but also leads the nation in rushing yards. The Eagles won four straight games prior to their bye week last weekend. Their first year as an FBS school has gone better than expected, and an easy schedule for the rest of the season should allow them to coast to a first place finish in the conference.
Arkansas State (4-2, 2-0)
Like GSU, Arkansas State had a bye last weekend. The Red Wolves most recent win was a 52-10 beat down on conference foe Georgia State, and the team will be in Moscow Nov. 1 to play the Vandals. A perennial power in the Sun Belt, ASU will need to be perfect to top GSU, as the two teams don’t play each other this season.
Louisiana-Lafayette (3-3, 2-0)
Louisiana-Lafayette won two in a row after losing three straight to Louisiana Tech, Ole Miss and Boise State. The team recently came off a 34-10 victory over Texas State. Tuesday, the Ragin’ Cajuns play Arkansas State in what is arguably the game of the year in the Sun Belt.
South Alabama (4-2, 3-1)
After beating Idaho 34-10 Sept. 27, South Alabama won two more conference games against Appalachian State and Georgia State. The Jaguars’ only two losses came against the No. 1 team in the country Mississippi State and Georgia Southern, who is first place in the Sun Belt.
Louisiana-Monroe (3-3, 2-1)
After winning its first two games, Louisiana-Monroe lost three of its last four games. Prior to their bye last weekend, the Warhawks lost 48-14 to Kentucky. With games against Texas A&M, rival Louisiana-Lafayette and GSU, their schedule doesn’t get any easier for the rest of the season.
Texas State (3-3, 1-1)
The Bobcats are coming off a tough 34-10 loss to Louisiana-Lafayette. At 1-1 in the conference and games against GSU, ASU and ULM still on tap, Texas State still has an opportunity to move its way up the Sun Belt standings.
Appalachian State (2-5, 1-2)
After losing four straight games, Appalachian State beat Troy 53-14 Saturday. The Mountaineers finished the game scoring 20 straight points. Appalachian’s only conference games were against GSU and South Alabama — two tough Sun Belt teams.
Troy (1-6, 1-2)
It’s been a rough season for Troy. The Trojans’ only win came against New Mexico State Oct. 11, with the score of 41-24. Last week against Appalachian State, the Trojans turned the ball over four times in the 53-14 loss.
New Mexico State (2-6, 1-3)
After winning its first two games, New Mexico State lost six straight games, including the 29-17 defeat against the Vandals last weekend. The Aggies have struggled in all facets, with quarterback being the glaring need. Sophomore quarterback Tyler Rogers leads the nation in interceptions with 15 — two of which came against the Vandals.
Idaho (1-6, 1-4)
The Vandals moved out of the conference cellar with their Saturday win over New Mexico State for Homecoming. With winnable games against Troy and Appalachian State to finish the season, expect more wins for Idaho by the end of November.
Georgia State (1-6, 0-4)
It’s been a tough first year for Georgia State in the FBS and Sun Belt Conference. The Panthers only win came against Abilene Christian from the FCS. Last weekend, the team almost edged out South Alabama in a 30-27 loss.
Korbin McDonald can be reached at [email protected]