For the final edition of my conference preview series I will be combining the previews of both the Sun Belt and WAC into one article. This combo choice is mainly because their futures are bleak. While the Sun Belt is losing FIU and North Texas and gaining Texas State from the WAC, it’s really only a matter of time before their teams are gobbled up by higher tier conferences. The WAC has no future after several defections after this season will leave it with only Idaho and New Mexico State and thus will not be a football conference in 2013. Idaho has already made plans to become an independent but there’s no indication where NMSU might go. So enjoy the last season of WAC football while you can. As well as another season of having to listen to Mark May inane nattering.
More Previews: ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, C-USA, Indy, MAC, MWC, Pac 12, SEC
Sun Belt
1) FIU
The offense has the talent, led by RB Kedick Rhodes, but needs to be more consistent. The defense might be the best in the conference with a majority of the team’s best player on that side of the ball.
2) Arkansas State
Ryan Aplin is one of the best QBs in the league and the team is good, but they face a tough slate of games on the road that will keep them from duplicating last season’s record.
3) Louisiana-Lafayette
After a huge breakout season, the Ragin’ Cajuns look to keep the momentum going. Thogh they lose some starters, the replacements are solid and Brett Baer is one of the best kickers in the country.
4) North Texas
QB Derek Thompson leads a passing game that will be featured more due to a committee approach at RB and the pass defense must improve its dismal production if the Mean Green want to compete.
5) Troy
The offense will be able to crank out yards but the abyssmal defense must improve if Troy wants to get back to dominating the Sun Belt.
6) Western Kentucky
The defense will compete for best in the Sun Belt but head coach Willie Taggart must get production from his offense. The Hilltoppers have the look of a rising team in the conference.
7) Louisiana-Monroe
The Warhawks could post their first FBS winning record led by dual threat QB Kolton Browning on offense and DE Kentarius Caldwell on defense, but consistency will be the key for that.
8) Middle Tennessee State
The offense doesn’t look to be anything other then mediocre and neither does the defense, especially since opposing offenses could run at will against them.
9) Florida Atlantic
It doesn’t look good for an Owl team that struggled to score last season on offense and couldn’t really stop anyone on defense.
10) South Alabama
The Jags have only been around since 2009 and this is their first at the FBS level, so expect them to be in the Sun Belt cellar.
WAC
1) Louisiana Tech
Led by QB Colby Cameron and an experienced defense, the Bulldogs could make some noise at the national level if they can dominate a weakened WAC.
2) Utah State
The Aggies will feature one of the WAC’s top defenses, but losing OPOY Rb Robert Turbin will hurt the offense despite some solid options at QB.
3) San Jose State
The passing game will be the strength of the offense, with vastly underrated TE Ryan Otten the top target and if the defense can get into the backfield more, then the Spartans could go bowling.
4) New Mexico State
The odd man out in the WAC dissolving, NMSU returns only 4 starters, with only 1 on defense so expect lots of struggles as the new guys settle in.
5) Idaho
The Vandals hope JUCO QB Dominique Blackman and returning LB Robert Siavii can help them improve on last year’s 2 win season.
6) Texas State
The Bobcats are only here for a year before moving on to the Sun Belt, but aside from a deep set of RBs, nothing else looks promising.
7) UT-San Antonio
The Roadrunners are in only their second season of existence and first at the FBS level. The results won’t be good in their only WAC season before leaving for C-USA.
