It was a disaster of a week for the Sun Belt Conference. The league went just 2-9 this week, and even though it was largely expected, there were some situations that were shocking as to how bad they got. Here's a look at week one in the SBC...
SUN BELT CONFERENCE
PASS: Appalachian State, UL-Lafayette
Appalachian State beat up on FCS Howard this week 49-0. Taylor Lamb completed 15/20 passes for 192 yards and three scores in the easy win. The schedule only gets tougher moving forward.
Even though they fell this week, UL-Lafayette came back from being down by 23 to Kentucky to even it up before falling to the Wildcats 40-33. Tony Pierce was a focal point of positives, as he rushed for 101 yards and two scores. Had ULL not turned it over four times, they may have won this game. There were definitely positives to focus on in week two, but focus has to be tighter.
FAIL: Idaho, Georgia State, UL-Monroe, South Alabama, New Mexico State, Georgia Southern, Texas State, Arkansas State, Troy
Idaho is still Idaho, and they fell at home 45-28 to Ohio. Matt Linehan passed for 285 yards, but like last year, tossed two picks in the game to just one TD. He still has not gotten over his turnover prone ways. Dezmon Epps was a bright spot, catching 14 passes on the day.
If I were Georgia State coach Trent Miles, I would start packing up my office today. GSU was beaten by first year FBS member Charlotte at home, 23-20. Yes, the Panthers are the worst team in FBS football, and would probably be pretty terrible on the FCS level as well. This team is a mess, and we are in year three with Miles stuck on one win total. Welcome to the Dead Pool.
UL-Monroe got a mercy storm from the heavens, as a second weather delay finally got the game called in the 4th quarter of a 51-13 loss to Georgia. Todd Berry is another coach in trouble.
South Alabama beat Gardner-Webb 33-23, but even though USA is in rebuilding mode this season, that win was pretty ugly, considering that the Bulldogs of GSC are just not good. USA is in trouble moving forward.
New Mexico State hasn't changed a bit, and they took an offensively inept football team like Florida, and made them look like juggernauts in a 61-13 loss to the Gators. The Aggies piled up all of eight first downs, and only 200 yards of offense on the night. Some things never change.
Georgia Southern, I felt, had a real shot to shock some people on the road at West Virginia this week. Not only did that not happen, the Eagles got shut out and thumped 44-0. The offense was held to a measly 224 yards on the night, and GSU never got off the bus.
Nobody on the planet thought that Texas State could beat, or even challenge Florida State. They totally lived up to that in a 59-13 loss to the Seminoles. Despite playing a bit close in the first half, there's very little else positive to take away this week.
Arkansas State used three QBs in a 55-6 loss to USC in Los Angeles. Even though the Red Wolves rushed for 209 yards, it was all between the 30s all night long, as ASU scored all six points in the third quarter. ASU trailed 28-0 at the half.
Troy trailed 28-14 at the half to NC State, and never got closer in a 49-21 loss. The Trojans were just 1/9 on 3rd down conversions on the night, and were unable to move the ball when it counted.
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