Thursday Night College Football: Three games better than one?

Thursday, October 4th


Arkansas State at Florida International 6:30 p.m. ESPNU (HD) / espn3 *9

East Carolina at UCF 7:00 p.m. CBSSN (HD)

#12 USC at Utah 8:00 p.m. ESPN (HD)

Last Thursday night, the Stanford @ Washington game was an outstanding game in the Pac 12 in Week 5.  But the game Friday night was a total one sided game between BYU-Hawaii.     With three games up tonight, hopefully college football fans will have something to enjoy, with games featuring conference match ups from the Sun Belt, C-USA and Pac 12.   The NFL also offers a game on Thursday night, as the old St. Louis franchise, the Arizona Cardinals (4-0) return to St. Louis to face the St. Louis Rams (2-2) on the NFL Network.  

Conference Look: The 2010 Sun Belt Conference

The Sun Belt Conference is the lowest rated FBS conference by most accounts, but there could be some excitement during the 2010 season. The Sun Belt celebrates the 10Th anniversary in football in 2010.

Only 16 programs in the FBS have never been ranked. None of the Sun Belt programs have ever been ranked, since 1959. Could the ceiling be broke in 2010?

Biggest Win by Sun Belt: Louisiana-Monroe had a huge win in 2007 at Alabama, when the Warhawks upset Nick Sabin's Alabama Crimson Tide, 21-14. Alabama has been 27-3, since that game.

Last year, Middle Tennessee (10-3) beat Maryland 32-31 in Week 3 on the road and beat Southern Mississippi 42-32 in the New Orleans Bowl. Troy (9-4) lost 41-44 to Central Michigan in the GMAC. Louisiana-Lafayette (6-6) beat Kansas State 17-15 last year in Week 2.

Top 12 OOC games with Sun Belt Conference teams:

1. Minnesota @ Middle Tennessee on 9/2 - The Blue Raiders will host the Golden Gophers on opening day ... The Sporting News is picking this game as a Sun Belt victim!


2. Kansas State @ North Texas on 11/27 - The Mean Green will close out Thanksgiving weekend with a visit from a Big 12 program ... Will this be the another victim?


3. Bowling Green @ Troy on 9/4 - The Trojans lost 14-31 last year at Bowling Green, so a payback opportunity in opening weekend rematch ...


4. Rice @ North Texas on 9/11 - The instate series is tied 1-1, but the '08 game at Rice turned out to be a 20-77 loss for the Mean Green ...


5. Louisville @ Arkansas State on 10/2 - The Red Wolves have selected the game with Louisville as their Homecoming game, despite the 13-21 loss @ Louisville last year ...


6. Oklahoma State @ Louisiana-Lafayette on 10/8 - The Ragin' Cajuns look to pick up another win vs. Big 12 at home, after last year's win over K-State ...


7. Rutgers @ FIU on 9/11 - The Panthers open the 2010 season at home a week later than most as Rutgers pays a visit to Miami, after last year's 15-23 loss in NJ ...


8. Indiana @ Western Kentucky on 9/18 - The Hilltoppers lost 13-31 in the '08 opener at IU, but this season's game the Hoosiers come for a visit ...


9. Florida Atlantic vs. Michigan State on 9/11 in Detroit - The Owls lost 0-17 @ MSU in '08 ...


10. Troy @ Oklahoma State on 9/11 - Third meeting, the Trojans won 41-23 in '07 at home, but followed it up with a 24-55 loss on the road in '08 ...


11. Arkansas State @ Indiana on 10/16 - The Red Wolves are 0-5 lifetime vs. Big Ten and gave Iowa a scare last year, so first meeting vs. Hoosiers could be interesting ...


12. Florida Atlantic @ Texas on 11/20 - The Owls opened at Texas in '08 and got rolled 10-52, so will a late November game give the Owls a better chance?

• Middle Tennessee - Austin Peay (9/11), @ Memphis (10/18)
• Troy - @ UAB (9/18), @ South Carolina (11/20)
• North Texas - @ Clemson (10/4), @ Army (10/18)
• Florida Atlantic - @ UAB (9/4), @ USF (10/2)
• Arkansas State - @ Auburn (9/4), @ Navy (10/20)
• Louisiana - Lafayette - @ Georgia (9/4), @ Ohio (10/30), @ Mississippi (11/6)
• FIU - @ Texas A&M (9/18), @ Maryland (9/25), @ Pittsburgh (10/2)
• Louisiana-Monroe - @ Arkansas (9/11), SE Louisiana (9/25), @ Auburn (10/2)
• Western Kentucky - @ Nebraska (9/4), @ Kentucky (9/11), @ USF (9/25)

Best chance for a Top 25 Team in 2010 - Middle Tennessee

Top Conference Game - Troy @ Middle Tennessee on 10/5 (Tuesday)

Most dominate program over the last 3, 5 and 9 years of the conference: Troy (best conference records)

Former members of the conference: New Mexico State, Utah State and Idaho

The Sun Belt held a Football Media Day on July 19Th and 20Th. A look at the past nine seasons and champions of the Sun Belt.

Preseason Sun Belt Coaches Poll

First Place Votes in Parenthesis (Record from '09)
1. Middle Tennessee (7-1) 75 (5)
2. Troy (8-0) 73 (3)
3. Arkansas State (3-5) 53
4. Louisiana-Lafayette (4-4) 49 (1)
5. Florida Atlantic (5-3) 45
6. FIU (3-5) 42
7. Louisiana-Monroe (5-3) 32
8. North Texas (1-7) 27
9. WKU (0-8) 9

Note - Western Kentucky's first official football season was '09. South Alabama hopes to join the football conference in 2013. The Arkansas-Little Rock and the University of Denver don't field a football team.

Preseason All-Sun Belt Team

As voted on by the Sun Belt Head Coaches and Media Representatives

Offense

• Dwight Dasher (MT, Sr., QB)
• Alfred Morris (FAU, Jr., RB) and Lance Dunbar (NT, Jr., RB)
• T.Y. Hilton (FIU, Jr., WR) and Jerrel Jernigan (Troy, Sr., WR)
• Ladarius Green (ULL, Jr., TE)
• Derek Newton (ASU, Sr., OL), Brad Serirni (FIU, Sr., OL), Mark Fisher (MT, Sr., OL)
• Esteban Santiago (NT, Sr., OL) and Tyler Clark (Troy, Sr., OL)

Defense

• Bryan Hall (ASU, Sr., DL), Troy Evans (ULM, Jr., DL),
• Jamari Lattimore (MT, Sr., DL) and Brandon Akpunku (NT, Jr., DL)
• Demario Davis (ASU, Jr., LB), Grant Fleming (ULL, Sr., LB),
• Craig Robertson (NT, Sr., LB)
• Tavious Polo (FAU, Sr., DB), Anthony Gaitor (FIU, Sr., DB),
• Jeremy Kellem (MT, Sr., DB) and Bryan Willis (Troy, So., DB)

Special Teams

• Alan Gendreau (MT, Jr., Place Kicker)
• Spencer Ortego (ULL, Sr., Punter)
• T.Y. Hilton (FIU, Jr., Return Specialist)

Offensive Player of the Year: Dwight Dasher (MT, Sr., QB)
Defensive Player of the Year: Bryan Hall (ASU, Sr., DL)

Bowl tie-ins for the Sun Belt Conference:

• New Orleans Bowl
• GMAC Bowl

MTSU primed to pass up Troy atop Sun Belt - SI.com
NEW ORLEANS (AP) -As the Sun Belt Conference closes out its first decade of college football, commissioner Wright Waters is calling on its top teams to set ...

peace

Prediction: #14 Iowa 35, Arkansas State 12

Look for the Hawkeyes to get to 5-0 for the first time, since the '95 season. The Hawkeyes looked outstanding in the 21-10 upset last Saturday night at Happy Valley vs. Penn State. The conditions slowed both offenses, but the Hawkeye special teams and defense raised the bar for a Hawkeye victory.

peace

College Football Saturday: Week 5, October 3, 2009 ... Go Hawks!

Saturday, October 3rd (Printable schedule w/ DirecTV channels) Pick, cidsports Top 25 ratings

• Arkansas State at #14 Iowa, 11:00 a.m., ESPN2 (HD) - Iowa to take out Red Wolves 35-12


• Clemson at Maryland, 11:00 a.m., ESPNU (HD) - Clemson get back on track on road


• East Carolina at Marshall, 11:00 a.m., CBSC (HD) - '09 hasn't been quite like '08 for the Pirates


• Michigan at Michigan State, 11:00 a.m., BTN (HD) - Our unranked Wolverines face first road test of '09 in a big game for both the Spartans and Wolverines.


• Northwestern at Purdue, 11:00 a.m., BTN (HD) - Big game for two rebuilding Big Ten teams!


• #23 South Florida at Syracuse, 11:00 a.m., MASN / ESPN-GP / ERTV (cable) - Agree, upset alert in the Big East as South Florida travels to Syracuse to open Big East play


• Toledo at Ball State, 11:00 a.m., ESPN-GP / ERTV (cable) - Ball State isn't the same team this season... look for them to be rocketed!


• Virginia at North Carolina, 11:00 a.m., ESPN-GP *2 / Raycom (HD) *3 / online - Not been on the Tar Heel bandwagon, but they should get back to winning today, at home!


• Wisconsin at Minnesota, 11:00 a.m., ESPN (HD) - Another Big Ten team facing first road test of '09.


• #3 Alabama at Kentucky, 11:21 a.m., ESPN-GP / SEC Network *4 - Will this game be close?


• Kansas State at Iowa State (Kansas City), 2:00 p.m., FCS - DirecTV 617 / FCS Central (cable) - Here's to Cyclones picking up the first Big 12 win of the Paul Rhoades era!


• Air Force at Navy, 2:30 p.m., CBSC (HD) - Love to see rivalry football, Go Navy!


• Florida International at Louisiana-Monroe, 2:30 p.m., ESPN-GP *2 / CSS / CST - Here's to an upset on the road in Sun Belt football!


• Florida State at Boston College, 2:30 p.m., (ABC *1 / ESPN *7) (HD) / ESPN-GP *2 - Can't go against a fellow Jesuit program, who carries the banner in the FBS for us!


• #5 LSU at #12 Georgia, 2:30 p.m., CBS (HD) / Online - Visitor has lost 5 of 7 and Bulldogs won on road last year 52-38. Payback?


• New Mexico at Texas Tech, 2:30 p.m., FSN (HD) - The Red Raiders lost the last meeting in '04, but that was on the road, so Red Raiders hope to end two game losing streak today!


• North Carolina State at Wake Forest, 2:30 p.m., ESPNU (HD) - Deamon Deacons look to win four straight at home in this series!


• #20 Penn State at Illinois, 2:30 p.m., (ESPN *7 / ABC *1) (HD) - An 0-2 is not a good formula to compete with the best in the Big Ten, so one of these contenders is out after today?


• UCLA at Stanford, 2:30 p.m., ABC *1 (HD) / ESPN-GP *2 - The Bruins go for their sixth straight win in this series to continue to spoil coach Jim Harbaugh's climb.


• Washington at Notre Dame, 2:30 p.m., NBC (HD) - The Huskies are 0-7 vs. the Fighting Irish, so why am I rooting for the Huskies today?


• Western Michigan at Northern Illinois, 2:30 p.m., CSNC / ESPN-GP *2 - The other Huskies have lost three straight games in this series by a total of nine points, ouch!


• Kent State at Baylor, 6:00 p.m., FSSW - Do the Bears have a replacement for talented QB Robert Griffin, who is out of the year?


• #8 Ohio State at Indiana, 6:00 p.m., BTN (HD) - The Buckeyes look to make it 15 straight in the series, this time in Bloomington!


• Ole Miss at #22 Vanderbilt, 6:00 p.m., ESPNU (HD) - Wow, judgement day for the Rebels, since they have lost two straight games to Vandy, even at home last year 17-23.


• Oregon State at Arizona State, 6:00 p.m.. Versus (HD) - Phil Steele commented about the last visit the Beavers visited Tempe, OSU blew a 19-0 lead to fall 32-44.


• South Carolina State at South Carolina, 6:00 p.m., ESPN Classic - In '07, the Gamecocks beat the FCS-MEAC team 38-3, the only previous meeting in the series.


• Arkansas vs. Texas A&M (Arlington), 6:30 p.m., ESPN2 (HD) - A SEC-Big 12 match up in Arlington, where the Sooners lost in Week 1 in a Big 12-MWC match up, so is Arlington good for the Big 12 this year?


• #13 Georgia Tech at Mississippi State, 6:30 p.m., ESPN-GP / CSS / CST - An ACC-SEC match up in Sparksville, by the way, in this series the Bulldogs are 0-3 all-time.


• Tulsa at Rice, 6:30 p.m., CBSC (HD) - The Golden Hurricane seek to go to six of the last seven vs. Rice, including four straight on the road.


• Auburn at Tennessee, 6:45 p.m., ESPN (HD) - Two freshmen coaches in the SEC square off in Knoxsville, so something will have to give today.


• #11 Oklahoma at #10 Miami-FL, 7:00 p.m., ABC *1 (HD) / ESPN-GP *2 - The Sooners lost in Week 1 on a neutral field vs. BYU, so now the first real road test comes in South Beach, watch out!


• SMU at #17 TCU, 7:00 p.m., Mtn. - A rivalry game between the C-USA-MWC teams, which the Mustangs played spoiler in '05, after the Horned Frogs beat OU on the road to open season.


• UC Davis at #9 Boise State, 7:00 p.m., ESPN-GP / KTVB - This expected to be an ugly game on blue turf in Boise.


• #4 USC at #t25 California, 7:00 p.m., ABC *1 (HD) / ESPN-GP *2 - The Trojans are going for six straight in this series, but a setback could cost the Trojans for the first time, since '01.


• Colorado State at Idaho, 9:30 p.m., ESPNU - The Rams and the Vandels haven't met, since '92 ... the Rams lost @ BYU last week, while the Vandels beat Northern Illinois.

Games that haven't been scheduled for nationally available networks so far.

• Central Michigan at Buffalo, 2:30 p.m., TWS - A big game in the MAC this weekend, with the Chippewas hoping to take out the defending MAC game champs on the road.


• # 7 Cincinnati at Miami Ohio, 12:00 p.m., ESPN 360 - The Bearcats are off to a strong start in '09 and face battle of Ohio schools from Big East and MAC this week.


• #18 Houston at UTEP, 8:00 p.m. - This often is a very close and competitive game of late, so the Cougars must be careful hitting the road for the C-USA opener.


• Memphis at Central Florida, 2:30 p.m., BHSN - C-USA battle today ...


• New Mexico State at San Diego State, 7:00 p.m. - Another WAC-MWC game with bragging rights on the line ...


• Ohio U at Bowling Green, 3:00 p.m., BCSN - The Bobcats hope to ruin the Falcons Homecoming today!


• Temple at Eastern Michigan, 12:00 p.m. - Both head coaches promote defense, but will offense prevail for one of these MAC teams?


• Tulane at Army, 11:00 a.m., Tape delay at 10:30 p.m. on CBSC (HD) - Can the Black Knights get back in the win column today, after pulling off two straight vs. Tulane?


• UNLV at Nevada, 3:00 p.m. - Battle of MWC-WAC teams, with both teams are coming off losses and the Wolf Pack looking to get first win of the season.


• #6 Virginia Tech at Duke, 11:00 a.m., ESPN 360 - Some suggest a trap for the Hokies, but Duke has lost the last eight games in this series, with only one conference win in the past four seasons.


• Washington State at #15 Oregon, 8:15 p.m., OSN - Odd talk in Eugene about LeGarrette Blount coming back in November, if he meets certain team goals, distraction for Ducks?


• Wyoming at Florida Atlantic, 3:00 p.m. - The Owls host the Cowboys, who are 7-0 vs. current Sun Belt teams lifetime, so something will give today.

By the way, #1 Florida, #2 Texas, #16 Nebraska, #19 Oklahoma State,#24 Kansas and #t25 Missouri all idle today and will be getting ready for showdowns in Week 6. It should be a great start in October, as we witnessed some fireworks thus far in September in college football.

peace

College Football '09: A look at this year's Sun Belt Conference

Does the Sun Belt Conference make any BCS noise in '09. Who would a candidate be for '09? How does the conference breakdown in '09 for Sun Belt?

• The Sun Belt is ranked by Jeff Sagarin as a lowest conference in FBS

• The Sun Belt is ranked lower than the Colonial Conference, which is in the FCS

Ranked teams in the AP and Coaches' preseason polls:

none, with Troy receiving one vote in each poll

Preseason magazines don't like any Sun Belt teams in the Top 25 preseason:

none

Teams rebuilding in the Sun Belt in '09

• UL - Lafeyette

Teams rated below the FBS mark of #120 in 2009?

• UL -Lafayette
• UL -Monroe
• Western Kentucky
• FIU
• North Texas

Will the Sun Belt Conference finish this way in 2009??

1. Troy * (6-1 in '08) (1-2 in bowls)
2. Arkansas State (4-3) (0-1)
3. Middle Tennessee (3-4) (0-1)
4. Florida Atlantic (4-3) (2-0)
5. Florida International (3-4) (none)
6. Lousisiana - Monroe (3-4) (none)
7. Louisisiana - Lafayette (5-2) (none)
8. North Texas (0-7) (1-5)
9. Western Kentucky # (0-5) (none)

* denotes 2008 Sun Belt Conference champs (source for above list)

# New full member in 2009, after moving to FBS in 2008.

Last BCS title winner

• No Sun Belt team has ever participated in a BCS bowl.

Kickoff Game of the Season

Thursday, September 4Th
Troy @ Bowling Green

Bowling Green, Ohio

TV: none

Final Look at the Sun Belt teams, using the preseason Jeff Sagarin NCAA football ratings:

1. Troy (# 70 in Sagarin ratings) - Coach Larry Blakeney enters his 19Th season at the helm for the Trojans. The Trojans are the most competetitive and consistent program of late in the Sun Belt. The 8-5 team in '08 return 52 letterwinners, with 7 OFF and 5 DEF plus both kickers from a team coming off a 27-30 loss to Southern Miss to close out the season in the New Orleans. Troy opens in OOC @ Bowling Green @ Florida, vs. UAB, then a huge Sun Belt opener @ Arkansas State. Final OOC game is at Arkansas on 11/14.
2. Middle Tennesse (# 106) - Coach Rick Stockstill enters 4Th year after a 5-7 record in '08. The Blue Raiders return 45 letterwinners, with 10 OFF and 6 DEF plus both kickers. The Blue Raiders open the '09 seaon @ Clemson, vs. Memphis, @ Maryland, then enter Sun Belt play. Final OOC game is vs. Mississippi State on 10/17 coming off bye week.
3. Florida Atlantic (# 112) - Coach Howard Schnellenberger enters his 9Th season and is the only coach in FAU history for the Owls, who started football in '01. The Owls 7-6 team from '08 return 46 letterwinners, 8 OFF and 3 DEF plus their punter, from the team that defeated Central Michigan 24-21 in the Motor City. The Owls open '09 @ Nebraska, bye week, @ South Carolina, the Sun Belt opener vs. ULM, vs. Wyoming. Final OOC game is @ UAB to open November.
4. Arkansas State (# 119) - Coach Steve Roberts enters his 8Th year for the Red Wolves coming off a 6-6 record in '08. The Red Wolves return 51 letterwinners, including 7 OFF and 8 DEF plus their placekicker. They open '09 vs. Mississippi Valley State, @ Nebraska, bye week before the Sun Belt opener vs. Troy, @ Iowa and travel on Halloween @ Louisville.
5. Louisiana - Lafayette (# 123) - Coach Ricky Bustle is entering 8Th season at the helm of the Ragin' Cajuns. The Ragin' Cajuns return 50 letterwinners, including 7 OFF and 9 DEF plus punter from their 6-6 squad from '08. They open '09 season vs. Southern, vs. Kansas State, @ LSU and @ Nebraska, before a bye week and the run in the Sun Belt Conference.
6. Louisiana - Monroe (# 127) - Coach Charlie Weatherbie is entering his 7Th year at the helm for the Warhawks. Last year the Warhawks finished 4-8. They return 40 letterwinners, with 8 OFF and 9 DEF plus both kickers. They open in '09 @ Texas, vs. Texas Southern, @ Arizona State and later play @ Kentucky on 10/24 for their OOC games.
7. Western Kentucky (# 133) - Coach David Elson begins his 7Th year and will enter a full slate of Sun Belt games finally in '09. The Hilltoppers return 33 letterwinners, with 8 OFF and 4 DEF plus their punter from last year's 2-10 team. The Hilltoppers open '09 play @ Tennessee, vs. USF, vs. Central Arkansas and @ Navy, before a bye week and play in the conference.
8. Florida International (# 147) - Coach Mario Cristobal enters his 3Rd season in Miami at the Golden Panthers' helm. They finished 5-7 last year and return 55 letterwinners, with 10 OFF and 6 DEF plus PK Dustin Rivest will take over both duties in '09. The Golden Panthers open the '09 season a week later than most teams @ Alabama, @ Rutgers, vs. Toledo, then enter conference play. On 11/21, FIU will travel to face preseason #1 Florida.
9. North Texas (# 165) - Coach Todd Dodge enters his 3Rd season at the helm for the Mean Green after leaving head coaching at the Texas high school level. The Mean Green were 1-11 last year and return 47 letterwinners, with 7 OFF and 9 DEF plus their PK. North Texas opens the '09 season @ Ball State, vs. Ohio U., @ Alabama, then opens Sun Belt play vs. Middle Tennessee. The final OOC game is 11/21 vs. Army.

A look back at last year's statistics in the Sun Belt.

peace

How Far Can Iowa Go in 2009 in Football?

The Hawkeyes haven't competed for a Big Ten title since 2004, when the Hawkeyes finished 7-1 and co-champions with Michigan.

So, will the tide change in 2009 for the Hawkeyes? It's been five seasons, since a title run in Iowa City in Football.

Iowa's team to beat clearly starts with Ohio State. The Buckeyes have won a share or outright title in the Big Ten for four straight seasons. Iowa plays at Ohio State on November 14. Iowa's last win over the Buckeyes was in 2004, but the Hawkeyes haven't won in Columbus, since 1991. Both seasons, Iowa finished 7-1 in the Big Ten.

Ohio State has lost 2 of last 5 games heading into the finale with Michigan. The Fighting Illini beat the Buckeyes in Columbus 28-21 in '07, while Purdue beat Ohio State in '04 at home 24-17. Can Iowa make it 3 of 6 heading into Michigan-Ohio State rivalry game?

Iowa travels to Penn State, after knocking Penn State out of the BCS title game last year. The Hawkeyes won 24-23 in Iowa City last year and have won six of seven, since 2000 vs. PSU. The only loss was a 7-27 in '07 in Happy Valley. Can Iowa get back their Happy Valley magic again? Will the Nittany Lions get some payback for '08?

Coach Kirk Ferentz is heading into his 11th year as head coach at Iowa. But, like at Ohio State, the Hawkeyes have yet to win at Michigan State under Ferentz. The Hawkeyes last win in East Lansing was 1995. Last year, the game went down to a 4 and 1 and the Hawkeyes came up short, losing 13-16 in East Lansing. Coach Mark Dantonio has the Spartans on the rise in the Big Ten. Yet, are the Spartans ready to compete for a Big Ten title in Dantonio's third season. This match up is likely a key game for either team, if they wish to compete for a title in '09.

Iowa doesn't play Illinois in '09 or '10. The Hawkeyes have won 5 of the last six in this series, but the Fighting Illini ended the streak for the Hawkeyes in Champaign last year, with a late minute FG in 27-24 game. While the Hawkeyes lost the game, Iowa QB Ricky Stanzi did lead Iowa on a 15 point second half comeback to tie the game at 24-24. The special teams and defense came up short on holding the Illini on the final drive. Purdue is also off the schedule in the Big Ten for '09 and '10.

Iowa gets to welcome Michigan back on the schedule for Homecoming on October 10Th at Kinnick Stadium. The Hawkeyes haven't beat the Wolverines, since back to back wins in '02 and '03. Of course, the Wolverines have second year coach Rich Rodriguez and are coming off their poorest season (2-6 in the Big Ten and 3-9 overall), since 1967. Missed there first bowl since 1975. Three of the last four games in Iowa City have been decided by exactly 3 points.

Northwestern gave Iowa its last defeat at home, when the Wildcats upset the Hawkeyes 22-17 on Homecoming last year at Kinnick, fueled by five Hawkeye turnovers. The Wildcats-Hawkeyes series has turned into a rivalry, ever since Wildcats coach Pat Fitzgerald helped lead the Wildcats to the Rose Bowl in the mid-1990s. Is this Iowa's payback game in '09?

Iowa's fourth Big Ten road game is at Wisconsin, where the Hawkeyes have won two out of last three. But, the Badgers coach Bret Bielema's Badgers won the '07 game 17-13, as the #9 Badgers out last the unranked Hawkeyes, who seemed to lose more offensive players than their ability to score offensive TDs. This game could help place Bielema right on the hot seat, if the Hawkeyes can pull out a win and continue the momentum after last year's 38-16 win over the Badgers.

The Hawkeyes close out the home slate with Indiana and Minnesota. The Hoosiers won the last time at Kinnick in '07 in a blowout 38-20. Last year, the Hawkeyes put some pain in the Gophers final game in the Dome, 55-0. Iowa should win at Kinnick, but haven't gone 4-0 at Kinnick in the Big Ten, since their last Big Ten title run. If the Hawkeyes are going to compete in '09 for a Big Ten title, they better take care of business at home. Of course, in 1990, they went 4-0 on the road, while 2-2 at home to win a share of the Big Ten title. A 6-2 record isn't usually a good formula in the Big Ten for titles.

In the out of conference, Iowa hasn't gone undefeated, since 2003. The only undefeated non-conference schedule in the Kirk Ferentz era. The Hawkeyes will open the season with FCS power Northern Iowa, a trip to Cy-Hawk rival Iowa State, a homecoming of sorts for Arizona coach Mike Stoops. The Hawkeyes open the Big Ten on September 26Th in Happy Valley. They close out the OOC the following week at Kinnick vs. Arkansas State, from the Sun Belt Conference. Arkansas State gave Ferentz's friend and second year head coach Mike Sherman at Texas A&M a tough first game, with Red Wolves winning 18-14.

The Sun Belt pulled off a solid win in '07, when the ULM Warhawks beat Nick Saban's Alabama team 21-14. This was the same weekend that Western Michigan up ended Iowa's season '07. Can Iowa move up the ladder in '09, as the Alabama Crimson Tide did in the SEC in '08? Some comparisons have been made between Iowa and Alabama, heading into '09.

Of course, Iowa must develop this off season, build team unity again for '09 and fill the holes that five starters on offense and three starters on defense created with their departures. Iowa returns 49 or so lettermen in '09, including experience in the O-Line. Can QB Ricky Stanzi step up and lead the Hawkeyes in the Big Ten in '09? It should be fun season to catch the Hawkeyes and will they catch the right Tide in '09 in the Big Ten?

Happy Independence Day Holiday weekend everyone!

peace

Florida Atlantic nearly consensus pick in Sun Belt for '08

The Florida Atlantic Owls are nearly a preseason consensus pick in the Sun Belt Conference football race for '08. However, the College Football News is departing from conventional wisdom and is going with the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders for '08.

The Sun Belt Conference is the lowest rated conference in the FBS division entering '08, by most accounts. Though, Phil Steele rated the Sun Belt ahead of the MAC to close out '07 (page 18 of Phil Steele's 2008 College Football Preview).

Lindy's has Florida Atlantic at #84 nationally, behind 3 MAC teams (Central Michigan, Ball State, and Miami-OH). Athlon Sports on the other hand has FAU #70 nationally, ahead of everyone in the MAC, other than #62 Central Michigan. PFW/College Football News picks Middle Tennessee ahead of FAU in the conference race, but has FAU #82 nationally, behind 3 MAC teams (CMU, Ball State, and Bowling Green), while Middle Tennessee is rated #108 nationally. All three magazines have FIU #119, last nationally of all FBS teams for '08.

Top 15 Sun Belt OOC games to watch in '08 -

1. Troy at Ohio State
2. Florida Atlantic at Texas in season opener
3. Florida Atlantic at Michigan State
4. Arkansas State at Texas A&M in season opener
5. Arkansas State at Alabama
6. Florida Atlantic at Minnesota
7. Troy at Oklahoma State
8. ULM at Auburn in season opener
9. ULM at Arkansas
10. ULM at Ole Miss
11. Louisiana-Lafayette at Illinois
12. Maryland at Middle Tennessee
13. North Texas at Kansas State in season opener
14. FIU at Kansas in season opener
15. FIU at Iowa

Finally, defending BCS champion LSU hosts both Troy and North Texas in '08 in the OOC. Troy is the only FBS team in '08 that will face both the BCS champ and runner up on their schedule. Who will be this year's victim to the Sun Belt in the OOC in '08. ULM beat Alabama in November '07, while Troy beat Oklahoma State in '07?

The Sun Belt will add Western Kentucky as a football member in 2009 and South Alabama in 2013. For what it's worth, according to Wikipedia, Florida Atlantic has the strongest endowment of all football members in the Sun Belt.

So, who does one pick in the Sun Belt Conference for 2008?

1. Troy Trojans (7-1 in '07) are going for their 3rd straight share of a Sun Belt title and they have several skill position holes to fill in '08. My surprise pick!
2. Florida Atlantic Owls (7-1 in '07) have the upper hand, playing Troy at home in '08?
3. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (4-3 in '07) won a share of the Sun Belt in '06 w/ Troy.
4. UL- Monroe Warhawks (4-3 in '07) last won a share of the Sun Belt in '05.
5. Arkansas State Red Wolves (3-4 in '07) also last won a share of the Sun Belt in '05.
6. UL-Lafayette Red Wolves (3-4 in '07) also last won a share of the Sun Belt in '05.
7. North Texas Mean Green (1-6 in '08) won a share or outright Sun Belt title from '01 to '04.
8. Florida International Golden Panthers (1-6 in '08) are the #119 team in the nation and will likely need another year before moving out of the Sun Belt cellar.

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers play five games vs. Sun Belt teams, but will not become an official conference member in football until next season.

• Biggest Game: Oct. 7th - Troy @ Florida Atlantic
• Biggest Football Rivalry Game: Aug. 28 - Troy @ Middle Tennessee to open season
• Coach of the Year: Larry Blakeney, Troy (his 18th season for Trojans)

Some other projections for the Sun Belt in '08 that I googled after I made my own picks. Jason Lowry's picks. Jeff Alexander's picks. Catfish and Cornbread picks. I know I went on a limb in the Sun Belt for '08.

peace