This Week in the Sun Belt – From the Bird’s Nest

In the Sun Belt, it's time to play for real.

Although six conference games have been played, this is the weekend it starts in earnest.  No one is playing out of conference this week.  Troy (0-5, 0-1) is off this week and the other ten teams are playing within the league.  Here's how the games match up.

SOUTH ALABAMA (2-2, 1-1) (-5) AT APPALACHIAN STATE--Saturday, 5pm SBC-TV/ESPN3)----For the first time this season, South Alabama got its offense untracked last weekend when they scored 34 against Idaho at the Kibbie Dome.  USA continues to play good defense as they were the first team all season to limit Idaho to fewer than 400 yards in total offense (269).  The Jags' defense recorded seven sacks in the game.  This week it's on to Boone for a matchup with Appalachian State.  This will be the first-ever Sun Belt Conference game to be played at Kidd Brewer Stadium.  The Mountaineers hope for a better result than their first league road game,as they fell at Georgia Southern last week.  App State's Marcus Cox is the fourth leading rusher in the league (79.8ypg).  And, the Mountaineers have been pretty stingy with their third down defense as opponents are only converting 31.8% which leads the 'Belt.

GEORGIA STATE (1-3, 0-1) AT LOUISIANA (1-3, 0-0) (-16.5)  Saturday, 6pm, ESPN3---The Cajuns' defense has been...well, not very good, especially in the passing game, where the Cajuns rank dead last in the Sun Belt, allowing 268.5 yards per game.  And, this week, they get to face the league's total offense and passing leader.  Nick Arbuckle isn't a really mobile guy, but he's thrown for 328.8 ypg.  He has eight picks to go with his nine touchdowns but the Cajuns are near the bottom of the FBS in turnover margin, as the defense has caused just one turnover all season.This might be the Cajuns' offense night to get untracked.  Georgia State is allowing over 40 points per game.

IDAHO (0-4, 0-2) AT TEXAS STATE (2-2, 0-0) (-17)  Saturday, 6pm, ESPN3---Texas State had the most impressive win last week as they went on the road and took down Tulsa of the AAC in three overtimes.  Now it's back home to Bobcat Stadium to face an Idaho team that hasn't gotten untracked.  They have moved the football well (at least until last weekend) but they've not be able to stop anyone.  Texas State is a much better offensive club than a year ago as Tyler Jones has done a great job running the ball club.  Dennis Franchione's team is going to be a contender in this league.  I don't know how many thought that at the beginning of the season.

UL MONROE (3-1, 2-0) AT ARKANSAS STATE (2-2, 0-0) (-11)--The Warhawks have been the best defensive team in the league...and it hasn't been close.  ULM's average of 314.8 yards ppg given up is more than 50 yards per game better than anyone else in the league.  But the Warhawks have struggled mightily at times offensively, and they're going to get tested this weekend in Jonesboro.  Arkansas State got a nice win against Utah State two weeks ago and they've had some extra time to prepare for this one.  While ASU hasn't been an offensive juggernaut, they are by no means a weak offensive team.  The Red Wolves may not score a bunch against this ULM defense, but the question is, can the Warhawks generage enough offense to come home with their fourth win.

GEORGIA SOUTHERN ( 2-2, 2-0) at NEW MEXICO STATE (2-3, 1-0)  Saturday, 7pm, ESPN3--The Eagles are making plenty of waves in their inaugural year in the Sun Belt and many feel they've become the team to beat.  They'll make a long trip to Las Cruces this week to take on the Aggies...and while NMSU has been able to score points this season, they really haven't been able to stop anyone.  And with just one week to prepare for Georgia Southern's hybrid offense, this team might really struggle on the defensive side of the ball.  NMSU needs a shootout to win it.  But can they generate enough defense to make sure the Eagles don't do all the shooting??