The Sun Belt conference comes into this with their heads high after Florida Atlantic did the conference proud by thumping Memphis 44-27 in the New Orleans Bowl. The Owls come back primed to win the conference and get back to a bowl game. Troy was hit hard by graduation but has plenty of talent to fill those positions. The WarHawks of UL-Monroe will be looking to build on their huge upset of Alabama last season. The Ragin Cajuns have 14 returning starters and should improve this season. Arkansas State changed their names to the Red Wolves and will lack experience with only 11 returning starters. Middle Tennessee State will have to go through some growing pains with the youngest team in the conference. North Texas was once the most dominant team in the conference and now looks to bounce back with a wide open offense. The Panthers of Florida International arte still rebuilding and have a tough schedule. Western Kentucky will play several of the teams in the conference but will not officially join until next season.

Florida Atlantic Owls

The Owls were the pride and joy of the conference when they blew out Memphis in their bowl game. Coach Howard Schnellenbeger has created this program from scratch and is ready to have another winning season. With 55 lettermen and 20 starters back this season the Owls are the favorite to get back to the New Orleans Bowl. The offense will be led by pro prospect quarterback Rusty Smith. The running game will be solid with Charles Pierre. Smith will have several targets in Cortez Gent and Jason Harmon. The offensive line has 101 career starts. The defense will have eight starters back. MLB Frantz Joseph returns as the leader of the defense. Their cornerback tandem is the best in the conference. Cornerback Tavious Polo may be the best player on the defense. All three starters return on the defensive line. Both kickers are back to give the Owls solid special teams as well but will need to work on the punting game.

Troy Trojans

The Trojans were on their way to a bowl game when they were upended by Florida Atlantic. This season may be more of the same having to play the Owls on their home field. The offense will have to replace their quarterback, top running back and top two receivers in a hurry. The new skilled players will have plenty of time to run throw the ball behind the best offensive line, five returning starters, in the conference. The defense gave up their highest point total in the last six seasons, 24.6 points per game. Specifically, the defensive line will have to cut down the opposing teams running game after giving up 195 rushing yards per game. 1st Team All-SBC Boris Lee returns to lead the linebackers. Two cornerbacks have to be replaced but both safeties will be back. The kicking game will have two red shirt freshmen to handle the kicking chores. There are 14 returning starters but that will not be enough to get by the Owls.

UL-Monroe Warhawks

The Warhawks had the biggest upset last season when they beat Alabama 21-14. The Warhawks were impressive at the end of the season winning five of their last six games. In those five wins were the huge upset and a win over Florida Atlantic on the road. The Warhawks have an extremely difficult out of conference schedule with Ole Miss, Auburn and Arkansas. However, the Warhawks will have four conference games at home to their advantage this season. The offense will be led by Kinsmon Lancaster and his top three targets back to catch more passes. The defense will need to improve on stopping the other team from passing at will on them. If the Warhawks improve their 101st ranked pass defense they could have a winning season.
 

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