The Sun Belt has grown a lot over the past few years and now sits as one of the more respected members of the Group of 5. Appalachian State and Coastal Carolina have earned a lot of accolades for this league in recent years, but new powers have also emerged to challenge their superiority. James Madison was the surprise Eastern champion last year (although transition blocked the Dukes from the title game), while Troy ripped through 11 straight games without a loss to claim the West and the SBC crown.
With several new faces in place, here’s a look at what’s going to decide the Sun Belt this year.
Can Anyone Disrupt the West’s Alabama Axis?
The SEC West turns on Alabama, and the SBC West now turns on what happens in the Yellowhammer State as well. Troy and South Alabama now boast the West’s two best programs, and to make matters worse for their challengers, neither drew East favorite Appalachian State. In fact, Troy won’t play three of the four SBC East heavyweights and got James Madison at home.
That, plus the return of quarterback Gunnar Watson and the schedule sending both South Alabama and Louisiana to Veterans Memorial Stadium makes the Trojans favorites to run this back. Except for South Alabama, the rest of the West seems to be playing for third place.
Can James Madison Again Become an Uncrowned Champion?
On paper, the transition rule makes sense for a school jumping from FCS to FBS. It’s meant to keep schools from rushing into a move to facing tougher competition just for a paycheck. But Madison took its time and made sure it was prepared, and the results showed. The Dukes flattened Coastal and won at App State, proving themselves worthy Eastern champions.
Running it back will be harder after losing top quarterback Todd Centeio and running back Percy Agyei-Obese, but an experienced front seven gives Madison a chance.
Is Grayson McCall Fully Healthy?
It doesn’t take much of a memory to name the past three Sun Belt Players of the Year: McCall has won the award every time and has every intention of doing it a fourth time. But he’s got to stay healthy for Coastal to continue its success. Last year, he missed the James Madison game with a foot injury, and the Chanticleers were helpless without him. Then he took a head injury in the bowl against East Carolina, and the Chants lost again.
New coach Tim Beck can have immediate success in Conway, but only with a healthy McCall. If the quarterback misses time against App State, Marshall or Madison, the Chanticleers’ chances in the East take a big hit.