The college football season is getting closer, and Sporting News is previewing each conference in order to get ready for the season. Today, a closer look at the Sun Belt.
A conference that has been a feeding ground for major programs to scoop coaches from, the Sun Belt once again has a host of talented young coaches and programs on the rise.
Appalachian State will look to go from FBS newby to conference champion in just a three-year time period, while Georgia Southern’s tremendous rushing attack and Arkansas State’s long-term success will look to claim their own conference title.
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Here’s a closer look at some predictions for the league heading into 2016:
Breakout player
Arguably the most gifted quarterback in the conference and the one with the best chance to get an NFL opportunity, Tyler Jones will have to quickly become comfortable with new head coach Everett Withers to maximize his senior season. Mobile and possessing a strong enough arm, Jones will try to single handedly lead Texas State to a bowl game.
Sleeper team
Troy. Boasting the youngest head coach in the conference in Neal Brown, Troy offers a bold coaching staff, a returning and talented quarterback and 13 other returning starters. After a 4-8 season last year in Brown’s first season, Troy should be able to sneak up on the top teams in the conference like Appalachian State, Arkansas State and Georgia Southern.
Mind-blowing stat: 363
The number of yards per game Georgia Southern averaged in 2015, the highest among all FBS teams last season. Only five teams had more passing yards per game than Georgia Southern had rushing yards per game last year, and three of those teams lost their starting quarterback. Georgia Southern returns darkhorse Doak Walker candidate Matt Brieda.
Freshman to watch
Incoming freshman Tyler Tutt isn’t the most highly rated incoming freshman, but he may have the best opportunity to play early and have a major role for Texas State. He’s expected to quickly assume a feature back role from Tyler Siudzinski, but both backs together should only help Tyler Jones and Texas State emerge as a legitimate Sun Belt contender.
Coach to watch
Mark Hudspeth. With multiple winning seasons under his belt, Hudspeth looked like the next Sun Belt coach to get major college offers and depart after a handful of seasons. But Hudspeth returns after a disappointing 4-8 season and losing more than half of his starters from a season ago. He’ll rely heavily on running back Elijah McGuire to rebound the program for 2016.
MORE: Top 40 players to watch in 2016
Game of the Year
Appalachian State at Georgia Southern. These two play each other early in the second half of the season, but this game has a great chance to determine who wins the conference. Appalachian State has the momentum as a program on the rise since their FCS promotion, along with strong quarterback play, while Georgia Southern has the best rushing attack in the nation.
Player of the Year
Taylor Lamb. Entering his thir year starter, Lamb was named Sun Belt’s Freshman of the year in Appalachian State’s first year in the conference and followed that with a school record 31 passing touchdowns in 2015. Efficient as a passer and threatening as a runner, Lamb should be able to work through all of the Sun Belt foes and potentially give this team a double-digit winning season.
Coach of the Year
Scott Satterfield. Just three years removed from FCS play, Satterfield has Appalachian State on the doorsteps of a conference title and potentially eyeballing a 10-win season. Satterfield has been with the program since 1998 (outside of a three-year stint at Toledo and Florida International), and his loyalty and talent as a coach has paid off.
Conference champion
Appalachian State. In a conference that has been ripe with turnover almost yearly, Appalachian State has quickly risen from newcomer to conference favorite, potentially surpassing Arkansas State and the rushing attack of Georgia Southern. Once a program viewed as purely a “cupcake” for major programs, Appalachian State could win its first conference title and even contend for a 10-win season in 2016