Tell Me Where I'm Wrong--Sun Belt Initial Power Rankings

[RJ Esq]

OK, besides the MAC, I know the least about the Sun Belt but here it goes anyway.

CB--Go ahead and feel free to school me on this conference.

FAU
2007 Closing PR: 73
2008 Pre-season PR: 76

Schnellenberger built this team from scratch and now has his best team ever with 18 returning starters, a 3rd year QB, and 55 lettermen (27,23,5)

No notable offseason losses.

On offense, they return 10 starters, including their QB, top 2 RBs, and top 4 receivers. Their only replacement is at LG who had 3 starts at other OL positions last year). The offense should put up even better numbers this year (projected: 32-34 ppg, 130-140 rypg, 3.5-3.7 ypc, 290-300 pypg). On D, they return 8 including 3 of their top 5 tacklers. They also return their top 3 sack artists. My concern on the D is at safety where they bring in 2 new starters but both are seniors (projected: 29-31 ppg, 145-165 rypg, 3.9-4.2 ypc, 180-210 pypg allowed).

Troy
2007 Closing PR: 78
2008 Pre-season PR: 75

Perennial Sun Belt powerhouse Troy returns 14 starters, must replace their QB and OC, and 53 lettermen.

No notable offseason losses. They may get to add in top WR Josh Jarboe after he was released by Oklahoma

On offense, they return 7 starters, bring in a QB with 1 career start, lose their top 2 RBs and receivers, and bring in a new OC who has experience in the system but is the youngest OC in CFB. They do add in Colorado transfer RB Greer and may add in Jarboe. They also return the OL intact. Numbers should drop (projection: 29-31 ppg, 165-185 rypg, 4.5-4.7 ypc, 250 pypg). On D, they also return 7 including the top 3 tacklers. The front 7 looks tough, but the concern to me is at CB where they need to replace 2 outstanding starters (projection: 23-25 pypg, 130-140 rypg, 3.7 ypc, 200-215 pypg allowed).

 

[RJ Esq]

ULM
2007 Closing PR: 72
2008 Pre-season PR: 72

The Warhawks return 15 starters, including a 3 year starter at QB, bring in new DCs, but return just 38 lettermen (14,22,2).

No notable offseason losses.

On offense, they return 7 starters, including their QB, top 3 receivers. The concerns to me are at RB and OL. They only return 2 OL starters and they lose their top rusher who ran for 1500 yds. They do bring in a good recruit at RB (for a SBC team) but I expect more focus on the passing game this year (projection: 23-24 ppg, 145-155 rypg, 3.8 ypc, 210-220 pypg). On D they return 8 including their top 4 tacklers and top sack artist. The front 7 looks tough, particularly at LB. The concern is at CB where they bring in 2 new starters. However, last year's passing D numbers were awful so they should still improve (projection: 25-27 ppg, 140-150 rypg, 4-4.2 ypc, 240-250 pypg).

The Ragin' Cajuns (A Better, More Redneck Name You Will Not Find)
2007 Closing PR: 64
2008 Pre-season PR: 67

ULL returns 14 starters, including a 4th year QB, a new OC who has been the OL coach here, and 45 lettermen (18,23,4).

No notable offseason losses.

On offense, they return 8, including their QB, top 3 rushers, and top 5 receivers. The only loss on OL is the LT but the projected starter started 5 last year until he was hurt, so there should not be much of a drop off (projection: 24 ppg, 250-255 rypg, 5.3-5.6 ypc, 175-185 pypg). Steele points out that last year's D numbers were awful but that they were heavily weighted to their first 9 games where they really got shitkicked. In their last 3, the numbers improved against ULM, MTSU, and FIU. So we'll see. They return 6 starters, including their top 3 tacklers and 4 of their top 5. The LBs appear to be the strength and if the DBs can stand on their own, the LBs should be able to help out an inexperienced DL. The run D is my primary concern here (projection: 31-33 ppg, 180-200 rypg, 4.3-4.5 ypc, 190-205 pypg allowed).

 

[RJ Esq]

Arkansas St
2007 Closing PR: 66
2008 Pre-season PR: 66

The Injuns (fuck this Red Wolves crap) return 11 starters, including a 2nd year QB, they are now in the 2nd year of their no-huddle offense, and bring back 48 lettermen (24,21,3).

Offseason losses: Backup RB Preston Brown and backup CB Marlon Douglas.

On offense, they return 6 including their QB, top 2 rushers, and their #2-#6 receivers. Unfortunately, they only return their LT on the OL. However, the last time they returned just one starter they put up impressive numbers. How quickly the OL comes together will be the question (projection: 24-27 ppg, 175-195 rypg, 4.6-4.8 ypc, 205 pypg). On D, they return just 5 starters and only their #3 tackler. They also lose their top sack artist from a team that did not get to the QB very well. The obvious concern here is the DBs who are starting 4 new players. The front 7 will need to really step up to keep the numbers the same or better as last year (projection: 27-28 ppg, 165 rypg, 3.9-4.1, 197 pypg allowed).

MTSU
2007 Closing PR: 73
2008 Pre-season PR: 67

Stockstill gets 12 starters back including their 2nd year QB who was injured last year, but just 36 lettermen (11,22,3). That inexperience on offense is particularly glaring. As Steele points out, this is the youngest team in the SBC with only 27 seniors and juniors. Watch against Troy to determine if they are composed or just inexperienced.

Offseason losses: Starting center Jake Padrick and backup LB Landon Givers.

On offense, they return 6 including their QB and top rusher and #2 and #3 receivers. They do return 3 OL, but now have to replace their starting center. Last year's offense did not put up impressive numbers (although they did manage to score) and I think this year they should stay about the same (projection: 25-26 ppg, 145 rypg, 3.5-3.6 ypc, 200-225 pypg). On D, they return 6 starters, but only 2 of their top 5 tacklers. The D looks improved overally, but I have some concerns along the DL and the DBs (projection: 26 ppg, 145-165 rypg, 3.7-3.9 ypc, 205-215 pypg allowed).

 

[RJ Esq]

Fuck. I just got done doing UNT and FIU and didn't post it correctly. I'll come back here and post it again. I see both teams improving greatly over last year, but both teams are still most likely going to finish in the bottom of the conference.

UNT
2007 Closing PR: 57
2008 Pre-season PR: 62

FIU
2007 Closing PR: 56
2008 Pre-season PR: 62

 

[TheGarfather]

Schnellenberger built this team from scratch and now has his best team ever with 18 returning starters, a 3rd year QB, and 55 lettermen (27,23,5)

No notable offseason losses.

On offense, they return 10 starters, including their QB, top 2 RBs, and top 4 receivers. Their only replacement is at LG who had 3 starts at other OL positions last year). The offense should put up even better numbers this year (projected: 32-34 ppg, 130-140 rypg, 3.5-3.7 ypc, 290-300 pypg). On D, they return 8 including 3 of their top 5 tacklers. They also return their top 3 sack artists. My concern on the D is at safety where they bring in 2 new starters but both are seniors (projected: 29-31 ppg, 145-165 rypg, 3.9-4.2 ypc, 180-210 pypg allowed).

Jason Harmon the excellent TE/bigWR and clear cut #2 target is done for the year with an ACL issue.

 

[TheGarfather]

Offseason losses: Starting center Jake Padrick and backup LB Landon Givers.

On offense, they return 6 including their QB and top rusher and #2 and #3 receivers. They do return 3 OL, but now have to replace their starting center. Last year's offense did not put up impressive numbers (although they did manage to score) and I think this year they should stay about the same (projection: 25-26 ppg, 145 rypg, 3.5-3.6 ypc, 200-225 pypg). On D, they return 6 starters, but only 2 of their top 5 tacklers. The D looks improved overally, but I have some concerns along the DL and the DBs (projection: 26 ppg, 145-165 rypg, 3.7-3.9 ypc, 205-215 pypg allowed).

Starting RT JC Moore quit in early August.

Backup C Chris Ritter who was the starter by default after Padrick's injury quit as well.

For those of you keeping score at home, that is now...I believe...8 scholarship offensive linemen left. The C will either be a 3rd stringer with no actual game reps or a veteran of another position who will have to relocate and thus leave a hole at his old spot. Enjoy that. If they were playing anyone other than a MAC or SBC team in the opener I would probably just do a blind fade.

 

[RJ Esq]

Hey, Garf, you mind posting these injuries in my injury thread so I don't look like an ass?

Thanks for the input. I'll make the appropriate scratches and edits.

 

[RJ Esq]

FAU
2007 Closing PR: 73
2008 Pre-season PR: 76

Schnellenberger built this team from scratch and now has his best team ever with 18 returning starters, a 3rd year QB, and 55 lettermen (27,23,5)

No notable offseason losses.

On offense, they return 10 starters, including their QB, top 2 RBs, and top 4 receivers. Their only replacement is at LG who had 3 starts at other OL positions last year). The offense should put up even better numbers this year (projected: 32-34 ppg, 130-140 rypg, 3.5-3.7 ypc, 290-300 pypg). On D, they return 8 including 3 of their top 5 tacklers. They also return their top 3 sack artists. My concern on the D is at safety where they bring in 2 new starters but both are seniors (projected: 29-31 ppg, 145-165 rypg, 3.9-4.2 ypc, 180-210 pypg allowed).

With edits:

FAU
2007 Closing PR: 73
2008 Pre-season PR: 76

Schnellenberger built this team from scratch and now has his best team ever with 18 returning starters, a 3rd year QB, and 55 lettermen (27,23,5)

Offseason losses: Starting TE/WR Jason Harmon.

On offense, they return 10 starters, including their QB, top 2 RBs, and 3 of their top 4 receivers. Their only replacement is at LG who had 3 starts at other OL positions last year). The offense should put up even better numbers this year (projected: 32-34 ppg, 130-140 rypg, 3.5-3.7 ypc, 290-300 pypg). On D, they return 8 including 3 of their top 5 tacklers. They also return their top 3 sack artists. My concern on the D is at safety where they bring in 2 new starters but both are seniors (projected: 29-31 ppg, 145-165 rypg, 3.9-4.2 ypc, 180-210 pypg allowed).

 

[TheGarfather]

Hey, Garf, you mind posting these injuries in my injury thread so I don't look like an ass?

Thanks for the input. I'll make the appropriate scratches and edits.

Bro, nobody thinks you look like an ass. Keeping up with 120 teams is a full-time job.

Look at the conference pages at underdogsofwar.com Some of it is old news going back to spring, but I have enough trouble trying to keep that updated and scratching things off in my magazine/writing notes in my notebook, just don't always have the time to go around posting links so I tried to somewhat consolidate it.

 

[RJ Esq]

MTSU
2007 Closing PR: 73
2008 Pre-season PR: 67

Stockstill gets 12 starters back including their 2nd year QB who was injured last year, but just 36 lettermen (11,22,3). That inexperience on offense is particularly glaring. As Steele points out, this is the youngest team in the SBC with only 27 seniors and juniors. Watch against Troy to determine if they are composed or just inexperienced.

Offseason losses: Starting center Jake Padrick and backup LB Landon Givers.

On offense, they return 6 including their QB and top rusher and #2 and #3 receivers. They do return 3 OL, but now have to replace their starting center. Last year's offense did not put up impressive numbers (although they did manage to score) and I think this year they should stay about the same (projection: 25-26 ppg, 145 rypg, 3.5-3.6 ypc, 200-225 pypg). On D, they return 6 starters, but only 2 of their top 5 tacklers. The D looks improved overally, but I have some concerns along the DL and the DBs (projection: 26 ppg, 145-165 rypg, 3.7-3.9 ypc, 205-215 pypg allowed).

With edits:

MTSU
2007 Closing PR: 73
2008 Pre-season PR: 65

Stockstill gets 12 starters back including their 2nd year QB who was injured last year, but just 36 lettermen (11,22,3). That inexperience on offense is particularly glaring. As Steele points out, this is the youngest team in the SBC with only 27 seniors and juniors. Watch against Troy to determine if they are composed or just inexperienced.

Offseason losses: Starting center Jake Padrick, backup LB Landon Givers, backup center Chris Ritter, and starting RT JC Moore.

On offense, they return 6 including their QB and top rusher and #2 and #3 receivers. They do return 2 OL, but now have to scramble to find a starting center after the projected starter and backup are now gone. This will be difficult to do and will hurt particularly early. Last year's offense did not put up impressive numbers (although they did manage to score) and I think this year they should stay about the same (projection: 25-26 ppg, 145 rypg, 3.5-3.6 ypc, 200-225 pypg). On D, they return 6 starters, but only 2 of their top 5 tacklers. The D looks improved overally, but I have some concerns along the DL and the DBs (projection: 26 ppg, 145-165 rypg, 3.7-3.9 ypc, 205-215 pypg allowed).

 

[RJ Esq]

Bro, nobody thinks you look like an ass. Keeping up with 120 teams is a full-time job.

Look at the conference pages at underdogsofwar.com Some of it is old news going back to spring, but I have enough trouble trying to keep that updated and scratching things off in my magazine/writing notes in my notebook, just don't always have the time to go around posting links so I tried to somewhat consolidate it.

I'm not pissed Garf. I was totally joking around. I appreciate the additional info and now the new site.

:cheers:

 

[RJ Esq]

Forgot the newest member of the SBC.

Western Kentucky
2007 Closing PR: N/A
2008 Preseason PR: 60

WKU is now in the 2nd year of its' transition to D-1A from D-1AA. They have had a winning record every year since 2000, including last year when they played 6 D-1A schools and 6 D-1AA schools. Their SU record against D-1A schools was 1-5, but they did beat MTSU and had close losses to Troy (21-17) and UNT (27-26).

This year the competition gets much tougher and they only get to face 2 D-1AA teams.

The Hilltoppers return 13 starters, return a 2nd year QB originally recruited by Notre Dame, and 41 lettermen (20,20,1).

No notable offseason losses.

On offense, they return 7 including their QB, top 3 RBs (1200 yds last year), #2 and #3 receivers, but only 2 OL. Their LT is not listed as a starter, but he started 3 in '06 and was projected to start last year before being injured. The projection should be down overall but alot of that has to do with the class of defenses they will be up against this year (projection: 24-27 ppg, 165-185 rypg, 4.4 ypc, 160 pypg). The D seems to be the bigger concern who will now be facing better offenses. The D returns 6 starters but has bo replace 4 of the top 6 tacklers. My concerns on the D are the LBs and safeties (projection: 27 ppg, 145-165 rypg, 3.7-4 ypc, 190-215 pypg).

I'll be honest. I don't know shit about WKU. Looking at their record last year and their results and looking at who they return, I want to put them on par with UNT and FIU at 62. But they are in their 2nd transition year to D-1AA and that doesn't seem right. I'll start them off at 60 and see where they go from there.