I always love betting on this conference because most peeps don't know that the North Texas Mean Green usually rank up in the top ten in defense every year....
too bad they have no offense.
taken Wrom:
http://www.nss.net/CFB/sbprev.html
2003-2004 Sun Belt Conference Preview
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North Texas
The Mean Green are coming off an amazing turnaround season, starting out 1-5 before winning their last 7 straight including a solid 24-19 win over Cincinnati in the New Orleans Bowl. Defense was the name of the game for NT as they ranked a stingy third in the nation in points allowed giving up 14.8 ppg. The offense was another story ranking dead last in total yardage in the Sun Belt. That should change with the return of junior quarterback Scott Hall who was injured in week one a year ago and re-emerged as the starter in the spring. Hall will replace sophomore Andrew Smith who managed only 7 touchdowns in the air in 12 starts. They have 12 starters back (including 8 on defense), so they do have a good chance at winning the Sun Belt once again. The ground game should be pretty good despite losing Kevin Galbreath. Pat Cobb who gained over 700 yards in a supporting role will run behind a line with three time all-conference honoree guard Nick Zuniga and three new starters. Questions still need to be answered there.
The defense gave up 14.8 ppg and led the Sun Belt in total defense with stud defensive lineman Brandon Kennedy, who will anchor the line once again. The Green also have three returning linebackers and the best safeties in the conference in Craig Jones and Jonas Buckles. Another promising year lies ahead for North Texas as they have experience, plenty of confidence and know the way to New Orleans.
Middle Tennessee State
Middle Tennessee State returns offensive dynamo quarterback Andrico Hines, an athletic and explosive offensive machine. So once again Coach Andy McCollum?s team will be able to score points. A year ago, MTS went 4-8 overall (2-4 in the Sun Belt) averaging 24.8 ppg while giving up 27.7 ppg. Hines will have an experienced offensive line to work with that includes All-Sun Belt LT Brandon Westbrook. Look for speedy Don Calloway, Kelvin German and Kevin Davis to supply an effective running attack. The spread offense will feature four wide receivers including seniors Wardell Alsup and Kerry Wright.
The defense was a weakness, giving up 27.7 ppg but they have 7 starters returning including 5 in the secondary. Also, the defense is not physically very big, so they may have trouble in games against the SEC. But they have enough talent to win in the Sun Belt and with a potent offense and a questionable ?D?, they?re often a threat to go OVER the total.
New Mexico State
New Mexico (7-5 overall in 2002) went 5-0 at home and had outstanding balance on offense (27.3 ppg, 214 yards rushing, 195 yards passing per game). After a couple of seasons of threatening to challenge for the Sun Belt title the Aggies appear to be a threat again.
Head coach Tony Samuel loves the Power-I formation that has gotten New Mexico State in the Top-25 in rushing in each of the last six years. Quarterback Paul Dombrowski, the Conference Freshman of the Year, returns to give the attack a flair. Dombrowski led the team in rushing with 864 yards and 12 scores while throwing for 1,327 yards and 7 TDs. Seniors Marcus Dixon and Eric Higgins (499 yards, 3 TDs) are talented running backs who could give the ground game a solid boost. WR Chris Lumpkin is back after catching 19 passes for 244 yards and one touchdown yards and TE Alex Davis is a three-year starter. Two starters return on the offensive line which continues to be effective particularly on the ground.
The defense needs some work after giving up 27.3 points and 160 yds rushing/201 yds passing per game in 2002. The linebacking trio is led by freshman Jimmy Cottrell who picked up 102 tackles and All-Conference second teamer Rich Glover. The secondary will be inexperienced as four new starters take over. The defensive line is experienced. September is brutal, with games at Texas, Oregon State and New Mexico. They?ll need to survive injuries against those bigger schools.
Louisiana-Lafayette
Head coach Ricky Bustle has an imaginative offensive mind but the departure of record setting quarterback Jon Van Cleave after a 3-9 record in 2002 leaves the Rajin? Cajuns with a big hole to fill. Senior Eric Rekieta who started three games last year missed spring drills with hand and elbow injuries. The team averaged 20 points and 227 yards passing per game in 2002 (2-4 in the Sun Belt). With only 5 starters back on offense, they could have some scoring deficiencies.
WR Fred Stamps picked up over 1,000 yards and will be a threat again for whomever plays QB. The departure of RB Jerome Coleman (7 TDs, 483 yds) leaves an inexperienced backfield behind. The offensive line is solid with three returnees.
The defense gave up 29 ppg and the 8-man defensive front returns almost intact so things should get better defensively. A key will be the return of LB Ross Brupbacher who missed most of last season (medical redshirt) and Stan Smith. The Cajuns will need more scoring and fewer lost turnovers and a banner year from QB Rekieta to see daylight. A schedule with very few winning opportunities makes this a rebuilding year for Lafayette.
Arkansas State
The Indians are in search of a running back to replace record setting All-Sun Belt and Offensive POY Danny Smith and if Antonio Warren or a talented cast can do that, the Indians just might be able to crack the .500 barrier. Several talented young players got plenty of experience and are back. Also, head coach Steve Roberts plans to throw the ball more if the offensive line can be settled. A pair of skilled quarterbacks will battle for the starting spot. Accurate Elliot Jacobs and strong-armed Reid McKinney will provide the throwing entertainment. OT Kimani Jones and center Tab Slaughter return and will anchor the line. Junior receivers Jason Wood and Chuck Walker offer good targets. They should be able to top the 19.9 ppg they mustered in 2002.
The veteran Arkansas State defense returns 9 starters. They gave up 28 ppg and changed to a new scheme featuring four down linemen and five defensive backs that showed remarkable improvement. The secondary is deep and should be able to step forward, led by LaKeith Grace. Les Echols and Corey Williams are veteran linebackers. A good early season schedule is another plus.
Idaho
There may be no place to go but up for a 2-10 Idaho team, but they should be much improved in 2003. Idaho has an outstanding passing offense that averaged 289.6 yards passing and 23.8 points per game. 8 starters return on offense, including senior QB Brian Lindgren (240-382 completions, 2,763 yards, 19 TDs, 10 INTs). Lindgren will have plenty of receiving targets in Orlando Winston (50 rec.), Jeff Stowe and TE Kelly Snead. The offensive line is solid, so no matter how many points they give up, the passing game will be able to keep them in it.
And that defense was, frankly, was terrible allowing 35 points per game. The defensive line is experienced and should be improved and there is plenty of talented depth at linebacker, as well. The secondary was very poor and needs the most work. Not many winning opportunities on the schedule, so 3+ wins is the goal.
Utah State
The Aggies had no trouble putting points on the board in 2002 (27.7 points per game). But stopping the opposition was a major problem. Utah State ranked 111th in the nation in total defense, giving up a whopping 39.3 points per game!
It could be a tough season again, as LB Jesse Busta is gone on a club that gave up 234 yards rushing and 236 yards passing pg! They couldn't stop the run or the pass, not a combination for success. Also, the kicking game will have a new look, so defense and special teams is a weak spot heading into the season.
The passing offense was the lone bright spot last season, with a sizzling 308 yards passing per game. But their top QB, WR and RB left, so the team is in a major transition. Junior QB Travis Cox takes over the offense, having thrown just 9 career passes. WR Chris Stallworth will have to step up after grabbing 17 passes last season for 231 yards and 3 TDs. The team ran for just over 84 yards per game, so they need better balance with so many question marks in the passing game. All in all, it should be a long season, the first for Utah State in the Sun Belt.
Louisiana-Monroe
La-Monroe has been slowly improving, going 1-10, 2-9 and 3-9 the last three seasons with young squads. The team has 8 starters back on offense and 9 on defense, so the experience may help. On the other hand, they were outscored by a 37-19 average. This is why ex-Navy coach Charlie Weatherby takes over as head coach.
The defense was poor against the run (195 yds rushing per game) and the passing defense was worse (238 yards in the air allowed pg). The defense does have a very good linebacker in Maurice Sonnier. L-Monroe rushed for 121 yards per game (after getting just 73.6 yards per game in 2001), and the passing offense struck for 222 yds per game. They have a terrific young QB in sophomore Steve Jyles, who passed for 2,318 yards, with 19 TDs and only 7 INTs. He should put up big numbers again with the help of WR Mack Vincent (All Sun Belt) and junior Floyd Smith. They should score some points and with an easier schedule, there may be continued improvement.
too bad they have no offense.
taken Wrom:
http://www.nss.net/CFB/sbprev.html
2003-2004 Sun Belt Conference Preview
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
North Texas
The Mean Green are coming off an amazing turnaround season, starting out 1-5 before winning their last 7 straight including a solid 24-19 win over Cincinnati in the New Orleans Bowl. Defense was the name of the game for NT as they ranked a stingy third in the nation in points allowed giving up 14.8 ppg. The offense was another story ranking dead last in total yardage in the Sun Belt. That should change with the return of junior quarterback Scott Hall who was injured in week one a year ago and re-emerged as the starter in the spring. Hall will replace sophomore Andrew Smith who managed only 7 touchdowns in the air in 12 starts. They have 12 starters back (including 8 on defense), so they do have a good chance at winning the Sun Belt once again. The ground game should be pretty good despite losing Kevin Galbreath. Pat Cobb who gained over 700 yards in a supporting role will run behind a line with three time all-conference honoree guard Nick Zuniga and three new starters. Questions still need to be answered there.
The defense gave up 14.8 ppg and led the Sun Belt in total defense with stud defensive lineman Brandon Kennedy, who will anchor the line once again. The Green also have three returning linebackers and the best safeties in the conference in Craig Jones and Jonas Buckles. Another promising year lies ahead for North Texas as they have experience, plenty of confidence and know the way to New Orleans.
Middle Tennessee State
Middle Tennessee State returns offensive dynamo quarterback Andrico Hines, an athletic and explosive offensive machine. So once again Coach Andy McCollum?s team will be able to score points. A year ago, MTS went 4-8 overall (2-4 in the Sun Belt) averaging 24.8 ppg while giving up 27.7 ppg. Hines will have an experienced offensive line to work with that includes All-Sun Belt LT Brandon Westbrook. Look for speedy Don Calloway, Kelvin German and Kevin Davis to supply an effective running attack. The spread offense will feature four wide receivers including seniors Wardell Alsup and Kerry Wright.
The defense was a weakness, giving up 27.7 ppg but they have 7 starters returning including 5 in the secondary. Also, the defense is not physically very big, so they may have trouble in games against the SEC. But they have enough talent to win in the Sun Belt and with a potent offense and a questionable ?D?, they?re often a threat to go OVER the total.
New Mexico State
New Mexico (7-5 overall in 2002) went 5-0 at home and had outstanding balance on offense (27.3 ppg, 214 yards rushing, 195 yards passing per game). After a couple of seasons of threatening to challenge for the Sun Belt title the Aggies appear to be a threat again.
Head coach Tony Samuel loves the Power-I formation that has gotten New Mexico State in the Top-25 in rushing in each of the last six years. Quarterback Paul Dombrowski, the Conference Freshman of the Year, returns to give the attack a flair. Dombrowski led the team in rushing with 864 yards and 12 scores while throwing for 1,327 yards and 7 TDs. Seniors Marcus Dixon and Eric Higgins (499 yards, 3 TDs) are talented running backs who could give the ground game a solid boost. WR Chris Lumpkin is back after catching 19 passes for 244 yards and one touchdown yards and TE Alex Davis is a three-year starter. Two starters return on the offensive line which continues to be effective particularly on the ground.
The defense needs some work after giving up 27.3 points and 160 yds rushing/201 yds passing per game in 2002. The linebacking trio is led by freshman Jimmy Cottrell who picked up 102 tackles and All-Conference second teamer Rich Glover. The secondary will be inexperienced as four new starters take over. The defensive line is experienced. September is brutal, with games at Texas, Oregon State and New Mexico. They?ll need to survive injuries against those bigger schools.
Louisiana-Lafayette
Head coach Ricky Bustle has an imaginative offensive mind but the departure of record setting quarterback Jon Van Cleave after a 3-9 record in 2002 leaves the Rajin? Cajuns with a big hole to fill. Senior Eric Rekieta who started three games last year missed spring drills with hand and elbow injuries. The team averaged 20 points and 227 yards passing per game in 2002 (2-4 in the Sun Belt). With only 5 starters back on offense, they could have some scoring deficiencies.
WR Fred Stamps picked up over 1,000 yards and will be a threat again for whomever plays QB. The departure of RB Jerome Coleman (7 TDs, 483 yds) leaves an inexperienced backfield behind. The offensive line is solid with three returnees.
The defense gave up 29 ppg and the 8-man defensive front returns almost intact so things should get better defensively. A key will be the return of LB Ross Brupbacher who missed most of last season (medical redshirt) and Stan Smith. The Cajuns will need more scoring and fewer lost turnovers and a banner year from QB Rekieta to see daylight. A schedule with very few winning opportunities makes this a rebuilding year for Lafayette.
Arkansas State
The Indians are in search of a running back to replace record setting All-Sun Belt and Offensive POY Danny Smith and if Antonio Warren or a talented cast can do that, the Indians just might be able to crack the .500 barrier. Several talented young players got plenty of experience and are back. Also, head coach Steve Roberts plans to throw the ball more if the offensive line can be settled. A pair of skilled quarterbacks will battle for the starting spot. Accurate Elliot Jacobs and strong-armed Reid McKinney will provide the throwing entertainment. OT Kimani Jones and center Tab Slaughter return and will anchor the line. Junior receivers Jason Wood and Chuck Walker offer good targets. They should be able to top the 19.9 ppg they mustered in 2002.
The veteran Arkansas State defense returns 9 starters. They gave up 28 ppg and changed to a new scheme featuring four down linemen and five defensive backs that showed remarkable improvement. The secondary is deep and should be able to step forward, led by LaKeith Grace. Les Echols and Corey Williams are veteran linebackers. A good early season schedule is another plus.
Idaho
There may be no place to go but up for a 2-10 Idaho team, but they should be much improved in 2003. Idaho has an outstanding passing offense that averaged 289.6 yards passing and 23.8 points per game. 8 starters return on offense, including senior QB Brian Lindgren (240-382 completions, 2,763 yards, 19 TDs, 10 INTs). Lindgren will have plenty of receiving targets in Orlando Winston (50 rec.), Jeff Stowe and TE Kelly Snead. The offensive line is solid, so no matter how many points they give up, the passing game will be able to keep them in it.
And that defense was, frankly, was terrible allowing 35 points per game. The defensive line is experienced and should be improved and there is plenty of talented depth at linebacker, as well. The secondary was very poor and needs the most work. Not many winning opportunities on the schedule, so 3+ wins is the goal.
Utah State
The Aggies had no trouble putting points on the board in 2002 (27.7 points per game). But stopping the opposition was a major problem. Utah State ranked 111th in the nation in total defense, giving up a whopping 39.3 points per game!
It could be a tough season again, as LB Jesse Busta is gone on a club that gave up 234 yards rushing and 236 yards passing pg! They couldn't stop the run or the pass, not a combination for success. Also, the kicking game will have a new look, so defense and special teams is a weak spot heading into the season.
The passing offense was the lone bright spot last season, with a sizzling 308 yards passing per game. But their top QB, WR and RB left, so the team is in a major transition. Junior QB Travis Cox takes over the offense, having thrown just 9 career passes. WR Chris Stallworth will have to step up after grabbing 17 passes last season for 231 yards and 3 TDs. The team ran for just over 84 yards per game, so they need better balance with so many question marks in the passing game. All in all, it should be a long season, the first for Utah State in the Sun Belt.
Louisiana-Monroe
La-Monroe has been slowly improving, going 1-10, 2-9 and 3-9 the last three seasons with young squads. The team has 8 starters back on offense and 9 on defense, so the experience may help. On the other hand, they were outscored by a 37-19 average. This is why ex-Navy coach Charlie Weatherby takes over as head coach.
The defense was poor against the run (195 yds rushing per game) and the passing defense was worse (238 yards in the air allowed pg). The defense does have a very good linebacker in Maurice Sonnier. L-Monroe rushed for 121 yards per game (after getting just 73.6 yards per game in 2001), and the passing offense struck for 222 yds per game. They have a terrific young QB in sophomore Steve Jyles, who passed for 2,318 yards, with 19 TDs and only 7 INTs. He should put up big numbers again with the help of WR Mack Vincent (All Sun Belt) and junior Floyd Smith. They should score some points and with an easier schedule, there may be continued improvement.
