2016 Sun Belt Conference Football Projections

Georgia Southern Eagles 9-3 (7-1)

Appalachian State Mountaineers 9-3 (6-2)

Troy Trojans 7-5 (5-3)

Georgia State Panthers 6-6 (5-3)

Arkansas State Red Wolves 5-7 (4-4)

South Alabama Jaguars 5-7 (4-4)

Idaho Vandals 4-8 (3-5)

Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks 3-9 (2-6)

Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns 3-9 (2-6)

New Mexico State Aggies 1-11 (1-7)

Texas State Bobcats 1-11 (0-8)

The 2015 college football season saw a very competitive race to win the Sun Belt Conference Championship between the Arkansas State Red Wolves, Appalachian State Mountaineers, and Georgia Southern Eagles. The Red Wolves had a basic offense along with a very opportunistic defense that allowed them to run the table in the Sun Belt and win the conference.

But with so many changes on the offensive side of the football for Arkansas State, head football coach Blake Anderson will need his stingy defense to be that once more in 2016. Last year saw the Red Wolves force 26 interceptions and they’ll have quality senior safeties in Cody Brown and Money Hunter leading the charge. Junior defensive end Ja’Von Rolland-Jones is arguably the best pass rusher in the Sun Belt and he should be in the mix to be the conference’s player of the year award.

But if Arkansas State were to struggle here in 2016, a team such as Georgia Southern should be able to take advantage. Last year the Eagles averaged 363 yards on the ground which was by far tops in the nation and you can expect more of the same this year under first-year head football coach Tyson Summers.

Led by junior running back Matt Breida and junior quarterback Kevin Ellison, the Eagles have their top five rushers from last season returning and with an offensive line that can lean on opponents, Georgia Southern will be in the mix to win the Sun Belt Conference.

For the Troy Trojans to hang around in the conference title race, they will need a big year from junior quarterback Brandon Silvers and and speedy senior wide receiver Teddy Ruben.

But Georgia Southern isn’t the only team in the Sun Belt that can run the football effectively. Last year Appalachian State was sixth in the nation in rushing as they averaged 5.8 yards per game. And with the likes of junior running back Marcus Cox and sophomore running back Jalin Moore taking carries, defenses in the Sun Belt will have their hands full with this Mountaineers offense as well.

As Scott Satterfield is set to begin his third year as Appalachian State’s head football coach, he has a defense that can put fear into opponents which is led by junior middle linebacker Eric Boggs and senior outside linebacker John Law that will tackle anything that moves as the folks that follow the Sun Belt Conference should be in store for another action packed fall.

Coach of the Year: Neal Brown-Troy Trojans

Offensive Player of the Year: Matt Breida-Running Back-Georgia Southern

Defensive Player of the Year: Cody Brown-Safety-Arkansas State

Sources: Sports-reference.com, Ourlads.com, Cfbstats.com