Since its still August, writers love to make predictions about the upcoming college football season in order to pass the time before the games actually begin. This hypothesis from USA Today gives a pretty reasonable expectation as to what could occur in the Sun Belt in the 2017 season. Quickly, I’ll tell you why Paul is right in some regards while kindly correcting his mistakes along the way.
College football: Projecting the 2017 records of all 130 FBS teams https://t.co/Lbf0xLIGJK via @usatoday
— Joe Fleming (@ByJoeFleming) August 7, 2017
In a well made graphic, Myerburg suggests a split championship between Troy and Appalachian, with both finishing the season with identical records, 9-3 overall, and 7-1 in conference play. Further down the page, the writer goes on to say that Troy would win the Sun Belt over Appalachian. Seeing as how minimal research may have been done, it would be virtually impossible with Troy or even Arkansas State to win the conference if both schools have identical records and finish at the top of the standings.
Among the Sun Belt projections I can see many teams moving up or down in the pecking order. The school that sticks out the most is that of Coastal Carolina. The flamingos Chanticleers are projected at 6-6 and 4-4 in conference play, despite losing the services of head coach Joe Moglia. I can’t see a .500 record in Conway this season. They might be better than your average FCS move-up but they aren’t even close to being in the App/GaSo conversation of FBS transition success. Which reminds me, why didn’t anyone tell GaSo the transition meant actually staying in the FBS after two seasons? Poor Stinky Creek Eagles.
Idaho at 4-8 is also head scratcher. The Vandals return a senior quarterback with plenty of experience in Matt Linehan. I also don’t think Georgia State is 3-9 bad this season regardless of how big their old Atlanta Braves scoreboard is now. I feel the same way about UL-Monroe. Neither of those teams will be 3-9 at the end of the season.
