Sun Belt

Sporting News, The, August 19, 2005

MATT HAYES' TAKES

I hear North Texas coach Darrell Dickey wants to get 45 to 50 carries combined for TBs Jamario Thomas (2004 NCAA rushing leader) and Patrick Cobbs (2003 NCAA rushing leader who missed last season with a knee injury). If that happens, the Mean Green's conference win streak will stretch to 32.... Howard Schnellenberger's fire and brimstone attitude at Florida Atlantic is fun and all, and more times than not it translates to solid teams. But what happens when he's directing a team gutted by graduation? Last in the Sun Belt--which, of course, means No. 119 in the nation--is no way to go through life.... I know, it's Louisiana-Monroe, but trust me: Watch QB Steven Jyles. Let's put it this way: Earlier this summer, he was named to the Sun Belt's all-time team in celebration of the league's 30th anniversary. Hey, not everyone gets named to the all-time All-Sun Belt team, pal.... The Troy defense--specifically MLB Leverne Johnson--will be fantastic. But the Trojans better find some offense before that October 4 game at North Texas. Three starters return from last year's unit that was the worst in the league--its highlight coming when an offensive lineman picked up a fumble and scored in an upset victory over Missouri.

UNIT
RANKINGS

                                     OFFENSE

PROJECTED                           Wide
FINISH                Backfield   receivers   Line   Overall

1. North Texas            1           4        3        3
2. Mid. Tennessee         3           2        1        1
3. Troy                   7           7        6        7
4. La.-Lafayette          5           5        2        4
5. La.-Monroe             2           1        4        2
6. Arkansas State         4           8        7        6
7. FIU                    8           3        5        5
8. Florida Atlantic       6           6        8        8

                                      DEFENSE

PROJECTED                                  Defensive
FINISH                Line   Linebackers     backs     Overall

1. North Texas         8          5            6          6
2. Mid. Tennessee      1          2            3          2
3. Troy                4          1            1          1
4. La.-Lafayette       2          4            5          4
5. La.-Monroe          3          8            4          5
6. Arkansas State      5          3            2          3
7. FIU                 6          6            7          7
8. Florida Atlantic    7          7            8          8

PROJECTED             Special              Schedule
FINISH                 teams    Coaching   strength

1. North Texas           4         1          1
2. Mid. Tennessee        3         5          2
3. Troy                  1         2          5
4. La.-Lafayette         6         7          7
5. La.-Monroe            5         6          6
6. Arkansas State        2         4          8
7. FIU                   7         8          4
8. Florida Atlantic      8         3          3