This Week in the Sun Belt Conference

Eleven of the twelve Sun Belt Conference schools are in action this weekend, and there are five conference games on tap.  Arkansas State (5-2, 4-0) has the weekend off to prepare for their final four games.

Here are the matchups for this week:

THURSDAY NIGHT--TROY 24, IDAHO 21--Jordan Chunn tied the Troy school record for rushing touchdowns in a career as Troy (7-2, 4-1 Sun Belt) got the home win.  The Troy defense allowed fewer than 100 yards rushing and recorded six sacks on the night.  Idaho (3-6, 2-3) was led by two touchdown passes from Matt Linehan.

SATURDAY

NEW MEXICO STATE (3-5, 1-3) (-10) at TEXAS STATE (2-6, 1-3) 2:00 pm ESPN3--Texas State got a shot in the arm last week with their dominating performance against Coastal Carolina.  Will it be enough to throw more than a scare into the Aggies, who desperately need this one if they're going to have a shot to get to six wins and their first bowl appearance in 57 years.  Trap game?  We'll see.

GEORGIA STATE (4-3, 3-1) (-4) at GEORGIA SOUTHERN (0-7, 0-3) 2:00pm, ESPN3--Is this the week Georgia Southern breaks through?  It's been a tough season for the boys from Statesboro, but there will be rejoicing if the Eagles can put a damper on the Panthers' bowl hopes.  Georgia State has been a bit inconsistent and the Eagles played better last week under interim coach Chad Lunsford.  Upset alert?

APPALACHIAN STATE (5-3, 4-0) (-9') at ULM (3-5, 3-3)  2:00 pm--The Warhawks' losses the last two weeks have pretty much taken them out of bowl contention, given their remaining schedule.  This week their high powered offense takes on the Mountaineers defense.  App had a somewhat inexplicable loss to UMASS last week and that may have gotten their attention.

LOUISIANA (3-4, 2-2) (+5') at SOUTH ALABAMA (3-5, 2-2)  3:00 pm ESPN 3--Let's not mince words.   This is a do or die game for the Cajuns in their quest to get to six wins and a bowl bid.  Same can be said for the Jaguars.  The running game will be key for both teams. Cajuns are the only road dog in league games this week.  They've never won at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.  Is this the week?

COASTAL CAROLINA (+23') (1-7) at ARKANSAS (3-5)  3:00 pm SEC Alternate--Chants are in their longest losing streak in school history and it doesn't get any easier this week.  Coastal can move the football, but they're going to have a hard time stopping the Hogs.