I won't be as descriptive as past years due to the fact that the preseason mags come out earlier and earlier and you've probably read all about it already. FWIW, the SBC 2009 will be 10 times tougher than the SBC 2002. Here ya go.....


"The Champ"

1) TROY TROJANS

This is Troy's conference. We just play in it. There are some people who claim that no one can separate themselves in the SBC on talent alone. They are wrong.

Troy has had a player drafted in the 1st or 2nd round 4 of the last 7 years. Add another one. DE Brandon Lang is projected as a 1st round selection in 2010 by most publications. There are several others who project as playing on Sunday on the Troy roster as well.

The Trojans have 2, not 1, but 2 starting QB's on the roster in Jaime Hampton and Levi Brown. They have 1000 yard rusher DuJuan Harris. They have a solid WR core led by Jerrel Jernigan. Boris Lee and Bear Woods are absolute beasts at LB. etc. etc. etc.

Last season, the Trojans were only 13 points away from 11 wins. They finished nationally with unit rankings of #27 OFFENSE and #34 DEFENSE. That is friggin' unbelievable for an SBC team to have quality balance like that.

If it weren't for a trip down to Florida this season, the Trojan Nation would be whispering "BCS". Barring a huge hit with the injury bug, we are all playin' for 2nd place......again.



"The Contender"

2) ARKANSAS STATE RED WOLVES

The Wolves return the best 1-2 punch in the league in Corey Leonard and Reggie Arnold who are re-writing the record books in Jonesboro. They have a solid WR group. They return 8 starters to a pretty good defense.

ASU was 9 points away from 9 wins last season. They finished with unit rankings of #38 OFFENSE and #46 DEFENSE.

This is the best ASU squad in decades.









"The waiting in the wings crowd"

3a) FLORIDA ATLANTIC OWLS

FAU still has Rusty Smith. They still have Cortez Gent. They still have a very solid OL. They still have Schnelly roaming the sidelines.

Last season, the Owls finished winning 5 of their last 6 and were 14 points from 9 wins. They are rebuilding a defense, but somehow I don't think ole Schnelly cares very much about that. Do you?



3b) FIU GOLDEN PANTHERS

Well. The "other" Florida school in the SBC has finally figured it out. Good Coach, new stadium, new attitude.

FIU finished last season winning 5 of the last 9 and were 19 points from 8 wins. Paul McCall solidified himself as a very competent QB, and the Panthers have the most dangerous man in the SBC in T.Y. Hilton. Dude can score as soon as he steps off of the bus.

If FIU can find a steady RB soon, the Panthers just might find themselves bowl eligible.

Also, some publications listed FIU as landing (2) 4-star recruits this spring. Let's see, Miami, South Beach,....yeah....this might work.



3c) MIDDLE TENNESSEE BLUE RAIDERS.

Don't be foolish. Tony Franklin is an OUTSTANDING OC, and he will prove it to you this fall.

Don't kid yourself. Dwight Dasher is a much better QB than you realize.

Don't sleep on the Raiders.

Last season, they finished with unit rankings of #70 OFFENSE and #66 DEFENSE. Pretty good. With any luck, MT will be in the mix until the very end.









"The don't forget about me crowd"

6a) ULM WARHAWKS

Charlie Weatherbie is still the HC up in Monroe....barely. There are new coaches everywhere up there, so a little adjustment is expected.

The Warhawks did lose a QB last year, but Trey Revell will prove to be a very capable QB himself. ULM does return some nice talent on Offense in the WR and RB corps, and Cardia Jackson and Greg James are 2 of the best defenders in this league.

The Warhawks could surprise this season as they have been listed as one of the Most Improved Teams for the '09 season by Phil Steele. This would be due to ULM having more starts lost to injury last season than any other school in the country.


6b) LOUISIANA RAGIN' CAJUNS

Michael Desormeaux----gone
Tyrell Fenroy----------gone
Jason Chery-----------gone

The UL offense--------gone?

The Ragin Cajuns are on quite a run with having a top-12 rushing unit for the last 4 years. Is it the system? Is it the players? We'll find out this year.

They do have the best OL in the SBC, but Louisiana must replace around 90%:yikes: of its offensive production. You can't do that without stubbing your toe a little. Nobody can.

If UL had a stellar defense to rely on, they certainly would be getting more play. They don't. They do have some nice young talent returning, however, this is not your grandma's SBC. The bar has been raised, and UL has a mountain to climb.








"The not ready for prime time players"

8a) NORTH TEXAS MEAN? GREEN

Well, Todd Dodge, we hardly knew yo--.....what?......what's that?.......come again........he's still there?..........you're kidding?.........OooooKayyyyy.


8b) WESTERN KENTUCKY HILLTOPPERS.

Welcome to FBS football.

They are going to take their lumps this season, but if the 'Toppers put forth the effort and professionalism they have shown on the court and the diamond, it won't be long before they are at the top of the SBC in football as well.

Some publications listed WKU as having the best signing class this spring in the SBC. Hello.

So, get your licks in now.


If you have a comment, I'll be here all of next week.

I just want to complain about you mentioning the potential of WKU (its WKU never WKY) going forward.



I wanted to keep that a secret for another season or so.

(07-04-2009 05:07 PM)Hilltopper2K Wrote:  I just want to complain about you mentioning the potential of WKU (its WKU never WKY) going forward.



I wanted to keep that a secret for another season or so.

Sorry about the spelling. I fixed it.

And I really think the sky is the limit for you guys. This should be some pretty exciting times up in Bowling Green.

Good luck!

(07-04-2009 05:42 PM)CAJUNNATION Wrote:  

(07-04-2009 05:07 PM)Hilltopper2K Wrote:  I just want to complain about you mentioning the potential of WKU (its WKU never WKY) going forward.



I wanted to keep that a secret for another season or so.

Sorry about the spelling. I fixed it.

And I really think the sky is the limit for you guys. This should be some pretty exciting times up in Bowling Green.

Good luck!

Thanks! Looking forward to our first year in the Sunbelt. After that the new will wear off and we will start expecting to win!

Great write-up, CN!

Great analysis Cajun! Thanks for the summary.

Very good one, cajun nation.....I say it's analysis is better than most of the pre-season ones I've seen so far.....Thanks for your preview!

"This is Troy's conference. We just play in it. There are some people who claim that no one can separate themselves in the SBC on talent alone. They are wrong."

greatest comment i've ever read on here. i'll be adding it to my sig.

good write-up btw! do you blog for a site?

(07-05-2009 06:00 PM)Trojan Delta Chi Wrote:  "This is Troy's conference. We just play in it. There are some people who claim that no one can separate themselves in the SBC on talent alone. They are wrong."

greatest comment i've ever read on here. i'll be adding it to my sig.

good write-up btw! do you blog for a site?

Only in my mind.

I must go now. There is a beach umbrella in Destin with my name on it.

Peace.