The Sun Belt looks to be one of the most competitive conferences in college football during the 2016 season. The top of the Sun Belt will likely be a three-way battle between Appalachian State, Georgia Southern and Arkansas State.
Books are having a hard time giving any of those teams an edge with the Mountaineers and Red Wolves both co-faves at +240 while the Eagles are close behind at +275.
Appalachian State may seem like the ‘safest’ pick – if there is such a thing. The Mountaineers ranked first in yards per game and rushing yards per game last season while scoring the second most points. Appalachian State will be returning the core of their key offensive players – particularly running back Marcus Cox – but have a lot of holes to fill at receiver and along the offensive line.
You can never really count out Arkansas State in the Sun Belt – having claimed at least a co-championship in four of the past five seasons. The Red Wolves will need to replace several players on the offense, most importantly they will be breaking in a new quarterback. Starter Fredi Knighten graduated last season and backup James Tabray has transferred. Luckily for Blake Anderson and his staff, most of the defense will be returning.
Georiga Southern will likely feature a top-notch rushing attack thanks to Matt Breida - who rushed for 1608 yards and 17 touchdowns last season. However, the entire offense is going to be undergoing some changes as coach Tyson Summers – who is a defensive guy – brought in two new faces on the coaching staff to be co-offensive coordinators.
- Appalachian State +240
- Arkansas State +240
- Georgia Southern +275
- UL Lafayette +1000
- Troy +1000
- Georgia State +1400
- Idaho +2500
- South Alabama +2500
- New Mexico State +3300
- UL Monroe +4000
- Texas State +10000
