The Sun Belt usually doesn't get much attention, but they can provide some entertaining football to watch. I'm tempted to go with Troy to win this conference, but I think it will just be too hard to win it while they replace 3 offensive linemen and their top three receivers from last year. I'm going to go with Louisiana-Monroe and Florida International as the top two teams here.
Louisiana-Monroe only loses their starting running back from last year, and returns every other person on offense. On defense they return 7 starters, as well as the kicker and punter. QB Kolton Browning had a good season last year as a redshirt freshman, completed 61.9% of his passes for 2,552 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions as well as 385 yards rushing for 4 touchdowns. With the young quarterback returning with his entire offensive line, I expect ULM to be pretty good on offense.
Florida International also returns their starter at quarterback, senior Welsey Carroll. Last year he completed 61.6% of his passes for 2,623 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. His stats are very similar to ULM's Browning but the TD-INT ratio is not quite as good. The offense replaces two offensive linemen as well as their second receiver from last year, while the defense returns 7 starters.
This conference title could be decided in the second-to-last game of the season, Florida International at Lousiana-Monroe. I think ULM is a better team, and having that game at home will also give them the win. I'm picking them to win the conference and go bowling for the first time in school history.
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