Couple of references to the "improved" Sun Belt.
102. Middle Tennessee
(2011 Record: 2-10, 2012 Roughly Projected Record: 6-6)
Can the Blue Raiders get off to a hot start to put the horrors of 2011 in the past? Yes, but it'll still take a major effort to be a player in the
improved Sun Belt. Beating McNeese State and Florida Atlantic early will create a little bit of excitement before going to Memphis and with ULM on the horizon. However, a 4-1 start could quickly turn with five of the final seven games on the road including dates with FIU, Mississippi State, WKU and Arkansas State. The offense moved the ball last year but struggled to score; that'll change early on. The defensive front seven has to start from near-scratch.
88. Arkansas State
(2011 Record: 10-3, 2012 Roughly Projected Record: 7-5)
Gus Malzahn has work to do, and it's a near-lock that he won't get Auburn transfer running back Michael Dyer to until next year. The team could've used him to balance out a good offense, but the big concern is on the other side with eight starters gone off the defense. The O will be more than fine with quarterback Ryan Aplin bombing away to Josh Jarboe and Taylor Stockemer, but will that be enough to get through the
improved Sun Belt? There are enough layups against teams like Memphis, Alcorn State, and South Alabama at home to expect another winning season, but winning another Sun Belt title will be tough with three road games in four dates and with critical showdowns against FIU, Louisiana-Lafayette, and Troy on the road.
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