(05-23-2016 03:46 PM)JCGSU Wrote:  I think it will be a four team race App, GS and ArkSt plus a wild card like GSU or Troy that finally puts it all together and not so up and down game to game.

Well there's going to be a tight race between the three you mentioned. You pretty much have to go undefeated to win the title. That doesn't leave a lot of room for a dark horse when one loss could knock you out of the conversation completely.

(05-24-2016 08:25 AM)EigenEagle Wrote:  

(05-24-2016 07:08 AM)eaglewraith Wrote:  I've seen 1 offensive TD by Troy in trash time and 2 FG's. The fumble they scored on last year was a fluke so that's not quite sustainable.

I'm not overlooking Troy, I'm just not worried by them. After all, they were the best defense in the conference when we rang up 45 on them last year.

If we're only going to consider how we do against a team then Georgia State ought to be the favorites for the conference and in the Access Bowl conversation.

Well if you notice earlier in the thread I said that Georgia State is proving to be a bit of a thorn in our side.

Even with the 69 we dropped on them in 2014, we gave up 31 points which was honestly inexcusable. With just shy of a 10.0 ypp production on offense, our defense just played a bad game.

Unfortunately, some of the stuff we did in 2014 on defense bit us in 2015 when we did the same. If we continue to not get pressure up front against them, which their offense depends on keeping the QB clean with no real running threat, then we'll continue to see stuff like what happened in 2014 and 2015.

App has figured out how to shut Ga State down....quite effectively.

We've done the same with Troy....which is why they don't concern me.

We have a new coaching staff. I have no idea where we will finish. I know our schedule is very difficult. If I had a pick, I would pick App (holds nose while typing).

(05-23-2016 08:32 PM)moehler Wrote:  not sure what to think about GSU, just not ready to buy in yet that they have turned the corner, right now I have more confidence that Troy is more dangerous to the "big three" than GSU.

I think the run we finished last season on would normally make us a trendy choice for a solid year.

I also think losing an NFL-quality, conference POY quarterback would normally make us a trendy choice for taking a step back.

So, yeah...I dunno either...

Obviously, we are all colored by our own experiences. Is it any question why APP fans see Troy as a darkhorse and GS fans do not?

I'm not sure how good we'll be this year. It looks like our defense is going to be very good and should be a few steps better than last year. I have no doubt we'll win some games. We lost a lot of quality receivers and our best running back, and our o-line is still trying to find its way. I believe it will all come down to how well they learn Neal Brown's offensive system in year two. We've got more talent on offense this year, they just have to put it all together.

As for GS having our number, that's certainly true. But we've only played two games versus GS and both we under a different coaching staff than they have now. It's possible we could gain an advantage from that. We play them in Game 12 at GS, so that certainly presents a problem.

Here is my bold prediction:

South Alabama wins the Sun Belt title this season.

You heard it here first.

(05-24-2016 11:57 AM)TroyFootball05 Wrote:  Obviously, we are all colored by our own experiences. Is it any question why APP fans see Troy as a darkhorse and GS fans do not?

I'm not sure how good we'll be this year. It looks like our defense is going to be very good and should be a few steps better than last year. I have no doubt we'll win some games. We lost a lot of quality receivers and our best running back, and our o-line is still trying to find its way. I believe it will all come down to how well they learn Neal Brown's offensive system in year two. We've got more talent on offense this year, they just have to put it all together.

As for GS having our number, that's certainly true. But we've only played two games versus GS and both we under a different coaching staff than they have now. It's possible we could gain an advantage from that. We play them in Game 12 at GS, so that certainly presents a problem.

We've struggled in the last home game of the season for the past two years, barely getting by ULM in 2014 and something bad happening last year. I can't remember what because I blocked it from my memory.

(05-24-2016 12:23 PM)CoastalAlum2011 Wrote:  Here is my bold prediction:

South Alabama wins the Sun Belt title this season.

You heard it here first.

You are a welcome addition to this conference.

(05-24-2016 12:23 PM)CoastalAlum2011 Wrote:  Here is my bold prediction:

South Alabama wins the Sun Belt title this season.

You heard it here first.

I am going to try Carolina Style BBQ again.
Those folks up there are alright.

(05-24-2016 11:05 AM)Pounce FTW Wrote:  

(05-23-2016 08:32 PM)moehler Wrote:  not sure what to think about GSU, just not ready to buy in yet that they have turned the corner, right now I have more confidence that Troy is more dangerous to the "big three" than GSU.

I think the run we finished last season on would normally make us a trendy choice for a solid year.

I also think losing an NFL-quality, conference POY quarterback would normally make us a trendy choice for taking a step back.

So, yeah...I dunno either...

Speaking of your former qb, did he get picked up by any NFL team?

Everyone will have App, AState, and GaSo in the top four if not top 3. History says someone emerges.

Troy has to be a candidate. I like the hire and the roster needed upgrading and the culture changed. It was apparent in 2013 that the team was unplugged from Larry. My reliable tell is when you see receivers suddenly have shorter arms on throws where they are going to get hit. It is the most obvious sign that guys aren't in do whatever it takes to make a play mode.

Louisiana I expected to be down but not as inept as they looked at the end of the season. Oddity about the Cajuns. They've won the 11th game of the season under Hud only once (his second year). Not sure what significance if any to give to that. Don't have the schedule handy but my recollection is it gives the Cajuns a shot to gain confidence.

GaSt and USA I lump together both had surprise bowl seasons but seem to not have all the pieces yet to be consistent. One thing I have confidence in is Joey's ability to pick defensive coordinators.

Idaho seemed at times to almost have it together and the roster seems to be improving. Petrino likes the us against the world slant and he's been given plenty of ammo if they can get some early confidence they could be seriously dangerous.

TXST and ULM I don't have a good feel for because neither had much interest in anything but getting season over when I saw them. I think TXST did fine with their hire. ULM I think hired their Steve Roberts, the guy who can rebuild the roster and live on a tight budget and improve the culture but not winning in post-season at McNeese doesn't scream breakout guy. I like the hire though.

NMSU is probably least likely to breakout. Like some of their guys but didn't appear to have enough good guys to get in the mix.

(05-24-2016 01:03 PM)TrueBlueDrew Wrote:  

(05-24-2016 11:57 AM)TroyFootball05 Wrote:  Obviously, we are all colored by our own experiences. Is it any question why APP fans see Troy as a darkhorse and GS fans do not?

I'm not sure how good we'll be this year. It looks like our defense is going to be very good and should be a few steps better than last year. I have no doubt we'll win some games. We lost a lot of quality receivers and our best running back, and our o-line is still trying to find its way. I believe it will all come down to how well they learn Neal Brown's offensive system in year two. We've got more talent on offense this year, they just have to put it all together.

As for GS having our number, that's certainly true. But we've only played two games versus GS and both we under a different coaching staff than they have now. It's possible we could gain an advantage from that. We play them in Game 12 at GS, so that certainly presents a problem.

We've struggled in the last home game of the season for the past two years, barely getting by ULM in 2014 and something bad happening last year. I can't remember what because I blocked it from my memory.

Oh, I remember! Georgia State demolished your boys in Paulson. Glad I could help!

(05-25-2016 01:15 AM)arkstfan Wrote:  Everyone will have App, AState, and GaSo in the top four if not top 3. History says someone emerges.

Troy has to be a candidate. I like the hire and the roster needed upgrading and the culture changed. It was apparent in 2013 that the team was unplugged from Larry. My reliable tell is when you see receivers suddenly have shorter arms on throws where they are going to get hit. It is the most obvious sign that guys aren't in do whatever it takes to make a play mode.

Louisiana I expected to be down but not as inept as they looked at the end of the season. Oddity about the Cajuns. They've won the 11th game of the season under Hud only once (his second year). Not sure what significance if any to give to that. Don't have the schedule handy but my recollection is it gives the Cajuns a shot to gain confidence.

GaSt and USA I lump together both had surprise bowl seasons but seem to not have all the pieces yet to be consistent. One thing I have confidence in is Joey's ability to pick defensive coordinators.

Idaho seemed at times to almost have it together and the roster seems to be improving. Petrino likes the us against the world slant and he's been given plenty of ammo if they can get some early confidence they could be seriously dangerous.

TXST and ULM I don't have a good feel for because neither had much interest in anything but getting season over when I saw them. I think TXST did fine with their hire. ULM I think hired their Steve Roberts, the guy who can rebuild the roster and live on a tight budget and improve the culture but not winning in post-season at McNeese doesn't scream breakout guy. I like the hire though.

NMSU is probably least likely to breakout. Like some of their guys but didn't appear to have enough good guys to get in the mix.

Nothing to see here...

(05-25-2016 01:05 PM)ASUMountaineer Wrote:  

(05-24-2016 01:03 PM)TrueBlueDrew Wrote:  

(05-24-2016 11:57 AM)TroyFootball05 Wrote:  Obviously, we are all colored by our own experiences. Is it any question why APP fans see Troy as a darkhorse and GS fans do not?

I'm not sure how good we'll be this year. It looks like our defense is going to be very good and should be a few steps better than last year. I have no doubt we'll win some games. We lost a lot of quality receivers and our best running back, and our o-line is still trying to find its way. I believe it will all come down to how well they learn Neal Brown's offensive system in year two. We've got more talent on offense this year, they just have to put it all together.

As for GS having our number, that's certainly true. But we've only played two games versus GS and both we under a different coaching staff than they have now. It's possible we could gain an advantage from that. We play them in Game 12 at GS, so that certainly presents a problem.

We've struggled in the last home game of the season for the past two years, barely getting by ULM in 2014 and something bad happening last year. I can't remember what because I blocked it from my memory.

Oh, I remember! Georgia State demolished your boys in Paulson. Glad I could help!

Hmmm nope doesn't ring a bell

Arkansas State again


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(05-25-2016 03:39 PM)WolfBird Wrote:  Arkansas State again

Haha.

Of course.

Preseason is the only time these boys get to dream about a Sun Belt championship.

Let them have their fun.

(05-25-2016 05:00 PM)asuwon Wrote:  

(05-25-2016 03:39 PM)WolfBird Wrote:  Arkansas State again

Haha.

Of course.

Preseason is the only time these boys get to dream about a Sun Belt championship.

Let them have their fun.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

(05-25-2016 05:00 PM)asuwon Wrote:  

(05-25-2016 03:39 PM)WolfBird Wrote:  Arkansas State again

Haha.

Of course.

Preseason is the only time these boys get to dream about a Sun Belt championship.

Let them have their fun.

I would say it's kinda sad but wouldn't really mean it.

(05-25-2016 06:01 PM)OsageJ Wrote:  

(05-25-2016 05:00 PM)asuwon Wrote:  

(05-25-2016 03:39 PM)WolfBird Wrote:  Arkansas State again

Haha.

Of course.

Preseason is the only time these boys get to dream about a Sun Belt championship.

Let them have their fun.

I would say it's kinda sad but wouldn't really mean it.

Should award imaginary rings for their imaginary Champions.

Not referring to the AppSt and Idaho fans whose teams do not do not have to play the best team in the SBC, and it is not as close as many here seem to think, and the talent gap got wider today

(05-25-2016 06:20 PM)Seminole Indian Wrote:  

(05-25-2016 06:01 PM)OsageJ Wrote:  

(05-25-2016 05:00 PM)asuwon Wrote:  

(05-25-2016 03:39 PM)WolfBird Wrote:  Arkansas State again

Haha.

Of course.

Preseason is the only time these boys get to dream about a Sun Belt championship.

Let them have their fun.

I would say it's kinda sad but wouldn't really mean it.

Should award imaginary rings for their imaginary Champions.

Not referring to the AppSt and Idaho fans whose teams do not do not have to play the best team in the SBC, and it is not as close as many here seem to think, and the talent gap got wider today

That wider talent gap that came today won't be on the field this year.