2013 SUN BELT CONFERENCE PREVIEW
1. Arkansas State Red Wolves (Preseason Rank: 57)
Overall: 75
Last Season: 1st Sun Belt (10-3, 7-1), W 17-13 vs Kent State in GoDaddy.com Bowl
Despite the loss of their all-time leading passer (Ryan Aplin) and their fourth head coach in four seasons (Steve Roberts, Hugh Freeze, Gus Malzahn, Bryan Harsin), many experts have Arkansas State pegged as the cream of the Sun Belt crop. David Oku returns after leading the SBC last season with 16 rushing TDs and will have to lead the Red Wolves to another successful year.
2. UL-Monroe Warhawks (Preseason Rank: 60)
Overall: 75
Last Season: T-2nd Sun Belt (8-5, 6-2), L 45-14 vs Ohio in Independence Bowl
17 starters returned to a team that lost just 10 lettermen last season. QB Kolton Browning is just 903 yards away from being the school's all-time passer, while head coach Todd Berry is looking to compound on last season's success.
3. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (Preseason Rank: 68)
Overall: 77
Last Season: 5th Sun Belt (7-6, 4-4), L 24-21 vs Central Michigan in Little Caesars Bowl
Head coach Bobby Petrino inherits 14 starters and back-to-back winning seasons in Western Kentucky. The SBC's leading rusher in Antonio Andrews returns to man the offense while the top six tacklers all return on defense - including LB Andrew Jackson who had 122 tackles (15.5 TFL) last season.
4. UL-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns (Preseason Rank: 73)
Overall: 77
Last Season: T-2nd Sun Belt (9-4, 6-2), W 43-34 vs East Carolina in New Orleans Bowl
Mark Hudspeth isn't taking kindly to seeing the Cajuns projected 4th. Back to back 9-4 seasons and 13 returning starters have UL-Lafayette poised to challenge the Sun Belt's best. The biggest question is how the defense will play after allowing 428 yards per game last season.
5. Troy Trojans (Preseason Rank: 92)
Overall: 74
Last Season: T-6th Sun Belt (5-7, 3-5), No Bowl Game
Troy could have easily been 11-1 last season, as six losses were within a touchdown's reach. Only 9 starters return to a team that hung 48 points on Tennessee (and still lost), so the question will be if Troy can continue to produce offensively as they have done in seasons past.
6. Texas State Bobcats (Preseason Rank: 123)
Overall: 68
Last Season: 5th WAC (4-8, 2-4), No Bowl Game
Texas State didn't join the FBS until last season and four wins is definitely an accomplishment. Most of the team remains intact but just two winning seasons in the last 10 years, head coach Dennis Franchione has his work cut out for him.
7. South Alabama Jaguars (Preseason Rank: 124)
Overall: 65
Last Season: 10th Sun Belt (2-11, 1-7), No Bowl Game
The new kids on the block all seem to be convening here as South Alabama also joined the FBS ranks last season. While they didn't have as much success as Texas State did, they do return 17 starters and experts believe that every position has improved from last season. Unfortunately they play five teams that went bowling last season at home, meaning most of their winnable opponents will be battled on the road.
8. Georgia State Panthers (Preseason Rank: 126)
Overall: 61
Last Season: T-9th CAA (1-10, 1-7), No Bowl Game
Georgia State's first year in the FBS will be tough, as they take on out of conference opponents like West Virginia and Alabama. With only three years of football experience under their belt, it's easy to believe the Panthers will be playing the role of doormat this season.