Appalachian State
The Mountaineers may have lost several major receiving options for quarterback Taylor Lamb, but running back Marcus Cox appears ready to provide the bulk of the team’s offense. With three returning members on the offensive line, the Mountaineers should continue to dominate opponents with a bruising running game that finished sixth in the nation last year.
On the other side of the ball, Appalachian State looks to capitalize on a defensive approach that held opponents to an average of 16.6 points per game. With nine starters returning on defense, the Mountaineers stand as one of the top programs in the Sun Belt Conference.
Arkansas State
After losing three of the first four games last year, the Red Wolves put together an unbeaten run through conference play to finish the regular season with a 9-3 record. Although a bowl loss to Louisiana Tech put a damper on a thrilling season, Arkansas State will be returning to the gridiron with the same level of energy as the year before.
Two intriguing transfers to the Red Wolves program include former Alabama defensive lineman Dee Liner and former Oklahoma quarterback Justice Hansen. With a strong defensive base and increased depth at the linebacker position, Arkansas State is certain to cause trouble for Sun Belt opponents.
Georgia Southern
The Eagles return to the gridiron after dismantling Bowling Green 58-27 in the Alabama-based GoDaddy Bowl December. Despite losing the entire defensive secondary in the offseason, Georgia Southern retains six members of the defensive front line.
The Eagles will be led by senior running back Matt Breida, who propelled the team’s running game to No. 1 in the nation last year. With a rushing attack that averaged 363 yards per game, Georgia Southern remains a heavyweight contender in the Sun Belt Conference.
The true test for the Eagles will be the middle of the season, when the team travels on the road for four out of five matchups, including a meeting with Southeastern Conference giant Ole Mississippi
Georgia State
The Panthers may not appear formidable on paper, but the team won four straight games to end 2015 and earn an appearance in the AutoNation Cure Bowl. Georgia State will look to produce another gritty year, despite tough nonconference games on the road against Wisconsin and Air Force.
A major flaw the team faces is penalties, as the Panthers surrendered 92 penalties over the course of last season. If Georgia State can reduce the number of penalties on both sides of the ball and capitalize on wide receiver Penny Hart, then the team has the shot of being fairly competitive in conference play.
New Mexico State
With no immediate plans after being kicked from the Sun Belt in 2018, the Aggies enter the season under a substantial amount of pressure. Not only is New Mexico State looking to produce a winning season, but it is hoping to increase the attractiveness of the program for potential conference suitors.
The Aggies return running back Larry Rose III and eight offensive members, but the team’s defense has consistently struggled in containing opponents. New Mexico State will be seeking a miracle season to remain in the Football Bowl Subdivision, but the program might only squeak out a couple of conference victories this year.
South Alabama
After fighting to a 5-4 record, the Jaguars blew an opportunity for a bowl appearance with three straight losses to end 2015. Despite a shaky right side of the offensive line, South Alabama returns a strong depth at running back and several skilled receiving options.
The season schedule is daunting for the Jaguars, as they face Mississippi State and San Diego in nonconference matchups. But barring a disastrous start to the season, South Alabama could potentially finish the year as a 0.50 program.
Texas State
With recently hired head coach Dennis Franchione at the helm, the Bobcats look to improve on a disappointing three-win campaign from last season.
After months of mystery surrounding the starting quarterback, Franchione finally named senior Everett Withers to the role Wednesday following the conclusion of fall camp.
The late decision could potentially play a factor in the success of Texas State this season, but spectators will not have the opportunity to know until Saturday, when the Bobcats kick off the season against Ohio. Despite high hopes for the program, it would be much more reasonable to expect only a handful of wins in a competitive Sun Belt Conference.
Troy
The Trojans enter the season as a wild card in the Sun Belt Conference. The Troy defense lost a pair of skilled defensive backs and arguably the team’s best pass rusher, but quarterback Brandon Silvers has two years of experience as a starter.
The pass-heavy Trojan offense has the potential to surprise any number of teams, but the team employs a noticeably slower tempo while in possession of the ball. Optimism is abundant for fans in the state of Alabama, but only time will tell how the season shakes out for Troy.
UL Lafayette
After four strong seasons under head coach Mark Hudspeth, the Cajuns slipped in 2015 and ended the season with a 4-8 record. The path will not get much easier for UL Lafayette this fall, as the team needs to replace former starting quarterback Brooks Haack after he made the decision to transfer to Northwestern State.
The Cajuns will need rely on a resilient defense to anchor the team this season amid numerous offensive struggles. If Hudspeth can make some adjustments at UL Lafayette, he could potentially guide the program to a 0.50 season.
UL Monroe
There is no question that the Warhawks are in rebuilding mode following a two-win season and a last place finish in the Sun Belt Conference. The offense returns quarterback Garrett Smith, but the loss of key players on the defensive side has left a noticeable gap that needs to be filled.
The team returns eight members of the secondary, but the loss of four defensive linemen negatively impacts the opportunity for a sturdy pass rush. Strengthening the defense will be key for the Warhawks, after the team allowed an average of 36 points against opponents last season.
With nonconference games against Oklahoma and Auburn, UL Monroe will struggle to remain competitive and should finish the season near the bottom of the Sun Belt standings.
Josh Grissom can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @GoshJrissom.