Two-A-Days: The Sun Belt

With the emergence of Arkansas State and FIU, the Sun Belt is no longer the laughingstock of the FBS and Arkansas State is primed to have a breakout a year and bring respect back to the Sun Belt.

1. Arkansas State—After a stellar 10-win 2011, the Red Wolves are primed to defend their conference title. Senior quarterback Ryan Aplin is the most dangerous player in the conference after racking up 3,588 yards in the air and 588 yards on the ground, accounting for 29 touchdowns.  Adding to the Red Wolves’ aerial attack are senior receivers Taylor Stockemer and Josh Jarobe, both returning starters. Defensively, the Red Wolves must replace seven members of a unit that ranked in the top 25 in scoring, passing, and total yards. There is reason for optimism however, as the returning starters all have excellent experience and the replacements are mostly upperclassmen. Final Prediction: (9-3, 7-1 Sun Belt, GoDaddy.com Bowl)

2. Louisiana-Lafayette—The Ragin’ Cajuns (awesome name) have the second-biggest offensive threat in the conference with quarterback Blake Gautier, who took over the starting spot in Week 4 and promptly set the school record for passing yards with 2,958. With an offense that returns 8 starters, including the entire receiving corps and conference freshman of the year, tailback Alonzo Harris, the Ragin’ Cajuns will have no problem putting points on the board. The defense, however, is loaded with question marks. Only one member of the front 7 returns and the rest of the team must quickly step up if the Ragin’ Cajuns hope to return to the postseason. Final Prediction: (8-4, 6-2, New Orleans Bowl)

3.  Florida International—In 2011, the Golden Panthers had a suffocating defense that ranked 14^th nationally in scoring. 9 starters return and will lead FIU yet again. Individually, look for senior Winston Fraser (108 tackles, 64 solo) to anchor the unit. Junior running back Kedrick Rhodes (234 carries, 1,149 yards) leads a Golden-Panthers offense that must replace playmaker T.Y. Hilton who led the team in both receiving and returns. Final Prediction: (8-4, 6-2, no bowl)

4.  Louisiana-Monroe—Kolton Browning played the majority of 2011 with a broken sternum and still managed to throw for 2,483 yards and 13 touchdowns.  Along with Browning, seven other offensive starters return, including the entire receiving corps and the team’s leading rusher Jyruss Edwards (143 carries, 667 yards, 11 TDs). On the opposite side of the ball the Warhawks are looking to match 2011’s Sun Belt leading rush defense which also ranked 8^th in the country. Leading the charge will be OLB Cameron Blakes whose senior leadership will be vital during the 2012 campaign. Final Prediction: (7-5, 6-2, no bowl)

5.  Troy—Despite a poor 2011 that saw the Trojans only win 3 games, there is hope. Junior quarterback Corey Robinson is now in his third year as the starter and should continue to build on his solid numbers (3,411 yards, 21 touchdowns) from a year ago. But for the Trojans to truly compete in an improved Sun Belt, the defense must improve on its abysmal numbers from a year ago. The defense ranked 101^st, 105^th, 101^st, and 113^th in scoring, rushing, passing, and total defense respectively and unless those numbers get better, Troy could find themselves looking at another 3 win year. Final Prediction: (5-7, 5-3, no bowl)

6. Western Kentucky—Hilltopper coach Willie Taggart must find a way to replace Bobby Rainey, the #2 rusher in the country from 2011, if he wants to lead his squad to any sort of Sun Belt success. The job of replacing Rainey will fall to senior quarterback Kawaun Jakes who accounted for over 2,000 total yards and 12 touchdowns last season. The offense is new as well, switching from a possession rushing game to a more West Coast style that should allow the Hilltoppers to stretch the field. Defensively, 7 starters return to a unit that ranked in the top 5 of the Sun Belt in nearly every major category and should be a strength this year yet again. The line will be led by Quantereus Smith who tallied 7.5 sacks last season to lead the team. Final Prediction: (5-7, 4-4, no bowl)

7. North Texas—The Mean Green have enormous potential and according to an assistant in the Sun Belt, are “a monster on the rise”. However, 2012 does not look to be their year of coronation. Returning only 4 starters to a defense that ranked in the bottom of the conference in major categories, the Mean Green must hope that the likes of Arkansas State and Louisiana-Lafayette have an offensive off day when they match up. On the offensive side of the ball, the Mean Green return seven starters but must replace school rushing record holder Lance Dunbar in the backfield. Quarterback Derek Thompson must improve on his pedestrian 11 TDs and 6 interceptions from 2011 if North Texas is to reach any of its promised heights. Final Prediction: (4-8, 3-5, no bowl) 

8.  Florida Atlantic—An embarrassing 1 win season in 201 left the Owls at square one yet again. 15 starters returning bodes well, and another one win campaign is out of the question.  The core of the Owls 2011 problems centered on their atrocious offense which managed 7 points or fewer on 6 occasions. To combat this, new coach Carl Pelini is bringing the spread with him. Senior quarterback Graham Wilbert must improve on his 17 TD-15 INT ratio in 2012 if the spread is going to be successful. Randell Johnson (4.5 sacks) leads the Owls’ defense which was better than the offense in 2011 (but that’s not saying much). Final Prediction: (3-9, 2-6, no bowl)

9. Middle Tennessee State—The Blue Raiders’ calling card in 2012 will be a fresh start, as they must replace 7 starters on both sides of the ball and both their kicker and punter from last season. One of the holdovers is junior quarterback Logan Kilgore who threw for over 2,000 yards in 2011 and will look to improve on those numbers in 2012. On the other side of the ball, the Blue Raiders need to improve in nearly every area and with only 4 starters returning, it looks like a tall order. Final Predicition: (2-10, 1-7, no bowl)

10.  South Alabama—Another FBS newcomer, the Jaguars are looking to build a program that will be respected across the nation and, more importantly, in the Sun Belt. There is hope in 2012 however, as 9 starters return to a defense that ranked near the top in every category in the FCS. The Sun Belt is not the FCS however, and if the Jaguars are to achieve any success, the defense must be otherworldly. Offensively the cupboard is essentially bare, with only 4 starters returning, including quarterback CJ Bennett who only threw for 1,640 yards against weaker competition. It could be a long year for the Jaguars. Final Prediction: (1-12, 0-8, no bowl)

Offensive Player of the Year:  Ryan Aplin, QB, Arkansas State

Defensive Player of the Year:  Winston Fraser, LB, FIU