Bilo's College Football PAS/FAIL Reports Week 8: Sun Belt

PASS: Troy, Georgia State, Appalachian State, UL-Lafayette, Georgia Southern
Neal Brown stands to be a hot commodity this season, as Troy is in 1st place with a 4-0 conference record after the Trojans beat South Alabama 28-21. Troy was on the ropes this week, and outscored USA 15-0 in the 4th to steal the win. Troy is 6-1 overall this season, and suitors will come calling.
Georgia State needed a win, any win, and they got that over FCS member Tennessee-Martin. The Panthers are still just 2-5, and I don't think that the win did Trent Miles too many favors overall, but it was a win in the end.
Appalachian State is just a half game behind Troy, and is 5-2 overall, with their only losses coming to Tennessee and Miami. The Mountaineers are pushing for a league title this season, and will visit Troy on 11/12.
UL-Lafayette is just 2-2 in league play, and I cannot see any way that the rest of the top half would collapse enough to allow ULL back into the race. Of course, beating Texas State was a must to have hope, and they did that in a dominant way.
Georgia Southern would love to have that Arkansas State loss back, but after holding off New Mexico State, the Eagles are still just one game out, despite not playing to the best of their ability this season.

FAIL: South Alabama, Idaho, Texas State, New Mexico State. UL-Monroe
USA has beaten Mississippi State and San Diego State, but cannot get a win in Sun Belt play? I don't know if there is a stranger team in the nation this season, but USA being 0-4 in league play is just senseless.
Idaho was on a decent run, but Appalachian State took care of that this week. Idaho is now 2 games out in league play, and that may be too much to bear the rest of the way.
NMSU had their chances against Georgia Southern this week,, but eventually fell short in a 22-19 loss. The Aggies are 1-3, and 2-5 overall, and that may be enough to motivate a coaching change if the wheels come off the rest of the way.
ULM was blown out by New Mexico, but Matt Viator is trying to build this program into something, and it will take time. He's a solid coach, and I think he can succeed in this league long term.