Welcome to Sun Belt Conference
By BigG, COMISSIONER
Welcome to DaONE league Sun Belt Conference page.

Sun Belt Coaches Step Into The Unknown
By Roadhouse, SPORTS WRITER
The early word from Sun Belt Conference coaches is one of quiet speculation. Since this isn’t a conference of nationally known powerhouses, many of the coaches will be going through a longer learning process than most.

For instance, let’s visit HasselbeckFan’s training camp for the Rajun Cajuns of the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. “Fact is, I don't know too much about La-Lafayette,” he said. “What I do know is that they have a pretty good WR in Frederick Stamps, so a lot of my offense will be oriented in getting him the ball. The conference isn't the strongest conference in the league, obviously, so I can think I can do real well ... maybe even win the whole thing.”

This 19-year-old from Albuquerque, N.M. has a good reputation for running the spread offense. You can bet he’ll be lighting many fires under that Cajun offense. He’s also circled the Oct. 11 tilt versus UL-Monroe as his big inter-conference rivalry. That game will go along way towards a better recruiting class.

So let’s go over to Monroe and meet the big chief on the Indians’ reservation. That would be CoachMerl, who is a middle school teacher and high school football coach from Florida. “The UL-Monroe Indians will be a challenge for me as a coach,” he said. “We are coming into this year with a pretty veteran squad, but who does not know how to win. We have nine returnees on offense and eight on defense.”

So when asked about his chances this year, CoachMerl said that his tandem of QB Steven Jyles to WR Mack Vincent will carry the offense. If his “D” can stay healthy, they should do some damage. “The Sun Belt is a conference I believe we can win,” he said. “However, it will truly take a team effort to accomplish that goal. We will go out to play this season as a 12-game underdog. Unfortunately, as an underdog the perception is that wins for your team are rare against a particular opponent. Our goal this season is to come from under and go over and change at least 12 teams’ perception along the way.”

My rented Ford Taurus took me north to scout the Idaho Vandals. These cats are not considered a threat for the title yet, but if their preparation is an indication of the desire, you may see an upset in the making. Iamthejarha is the coach, otherwise known as Justin Rallis. He’s 24, from Mooresville, N.C. and will be setting up camp in Moscow, Idaho and defending the Kibbie Dome, capacity of 17,000.

Coming off a disappointing 2002 campaign (2-10, 1-5 conference), the Vandals are poised to make waves in the Sun Belt on the arm of senior quarterback Brian Lindgren. Idaho hopes that the emergence of seniors Zach Gerstner (TB) and Orlando Winston (WR) can take up the slack for an offense that sometimes struggled to put points on the board last season. On defense, the Vandals will look to the leadership of seniors Patrick Libey (OLB) and Brian Howard (DT), the team's 2nd and 3rd-leading tacklers in 2002. The secondary is led by senior cornerback Roderick Bryant, who tied for the team lead with two interceptions last year.

Now reporters are supposed to be objective, but if there’s one cat I’m pulling for in this conference it’ll be Coach Smitty of the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders . First, he’s 36 years old, like I am, so represent for the old men Smitty! Second, he lives in the Ville. That’s action Jacksonville, Fla., an hour north of where I used to live and go to school. And third, he’s put the big crosshairs on Giggas2’s squad from North Texas as his biggest rivals. I gotta like that!

Let’s hear what he has to say. “2002 was supposed to be the redemption year after blowing the 2001 Sun Belt title,” he said. “It didn't happen. Even so, the Blue Raiders lost to North Texas in a decent battle, but it was inexcusable for a team that was as talented as this one was to lose three other conference games. Now it's time for the program to get back into the title mix with enough returning talent to make a good run. “

The offensive line is strong, the defense has some playmakers and quarterback Andrico Hines might become a star, but the strongest aspect of the 2003 Blue Raiders is the kicking game. Punter Robert Billings and placekicker Brian Kelly are both All-America candidates and give the Blue Raiders a huge advantage. The season will be a success if … MTSU wins the Sun Belt title. It hasn't been able to do it yet, but it might have just enough talent and the right schedule to pull it off. Key game: Oct. 26 vs. North Texas. If MTSU wants to be the champion, it has to beat the champion. MTSU is probably the strongest team in the Sun Belt.

New Mexico State will be run by Rjltj55, the MaddenMania moderator. The Aggies are picked to finish second in the polls, but this could be a wide-open conference. Look for the exciting sophomore QB Paul Dombrowski to lead the Aggies with his feet and his arm. Also, the Aggies will depend on major contributions from the three preseason all-conference picks of (K) Dario Aquiniqa, (RB) Eric Higgins, and (DL) Joe Olivo.

Arkansas State had four players make the all-conference team. One offensive player (OL) Kimani Jones and three defenders (DLs) John Bradley and Corey Williams and (DB) Jonathon Burke. Look for them to make a respectable showing in the Sun Belt, but fall short for a lack of offensive weapons. Still, 13Waystobleed cannot be counted out of any game.

CrushemCY will have his hands full with the Utah State squad. His Aggies have Mackey award possibility Chris Cooley as the big receiver target from tight end and also will line up behind Outland trophy hopeful Trevor Hutton. This big horse will be plowing running lanes for the Blue and White.

Our last stop is the Mean Green Machine of North Texas State, everyone’s preseason darling and two-time Sun Belt champion. Giggas2 will have both the preseason offensive and defensive player of the year in his stable. RB Patrick Cobbs and DL Brandon Kennedy will be causing some major havoc.

But even though the coach will have a very solid defense and an explosive offense, you have to remember that Mike is just a 16-year-old from Virginia. Is this too much for the young man to handle? He could be more concerned about his future in the computer technology field than remembering that he won’t have Marcus Vick to use all day. Just remember Sun Belt, if you hear gobblin’ in your head, then Giggas2 has gotten to you.

Here’s how the prognosticators pick the Sun Belt to finish:
1. North Texas (8-5, 6-0: 2-time defending champs)
2. New Mexico State (7-5, 5-1)
3. Middle Tennessee State (4-8, 2-4)
4. Arkansas State (6-7, 3-3)
5. UL-Lafayette (3-9, 2-4)
6. Utah State (4-7, DNP)
7. Idaho (2-10, 1-5)
8. UL-Monroe (3-9, 2-4)