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2008 SUN BELT PREVIEW
By Daniel Freer | July 9, 2008
As long as I have covered the Sun Belt Conference for Fantasy College Blitz, I cannot remember a season where the SBC schools have so many fantasy worthy players for your rosters, especially at the QB and WR positions.
With a number of returning stat-producers, and, an influx of legitimate big-time new talent, you should see a number of SBC players going in early rounds of your drafts.
ARKANSAS STATE RED WOLVES
HEAD COACH: Steve Roberts (7th season, 31-41 overall record)
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Doug Ruse (OC with Roberts at Northwestern State as well as ASU)
MEDIA LINKS:
ESPN.com SI.com CFB News
SCHOOL WEBSITES/LOCAL NEWSPAPERS/BLOGS:
Arkansas State Official Website Jonesboro Sun
ANALYSIS/KEY PLAYERS: Although they boast some of the best talent in the SBC in NFL-caliber RB Reggie Arnold (1060 yards rushing, 9 TDs, right, Icon SMI) and QB Corey Leonard (547 yards rushing, 5 TDs….2235 yards passing, 16 TDs), the loss of four starting linemen may slow the production of the newly-nicknamed Red Wolves (formerly Indians). Among the receivers, WR Brandon Thompkins leads all returning players with 503 receiving yards, but only 1 TD, The one receiver to watch (especially in TE-must play leagues) is TE David Johnson , who averaged 20 yards per catch and led the team with 3 TD receptions. Fortunately the ASU schedule is not too difficult, by SBC standards, so Red Wolves players will have some value. However, best to wait for free-agency or supplemental draft to see how the O-line pans out.
MEDIA LINKS:
ESPN.com SI.com CFB News
SCHOOL WEBSITES/LOCAL NEWSPAPERS/BLOGS:
Arkansas State Official Website Jonesboro Sun
ANALYSIS/KEY PLAYERS: Although they boast some of the best talent in the SBC in NFL-caliber RB Reggie Arnold (1060 yards rushing, 9 TDs, right, Icon SMI) and QB Corey Leonard (547 yards rushing, 5 TDs….2235 yards passing, 16 TDs), the loss of four starting linemen may slow the production of the newly-nicknamed Red Wolves (formerly Indians). Among the receivers, WR Brandon Thompkins leads all returning players with 503 receiving yards, but only 1 TD, The one receiver to watch (especially in TE-must play leagues) is TE David Johnson , who averaged 20 yards per catch and led the team with 3 TD receptions. Fortunately the ASU schedule is not too difficult, by SBC standards, so Red Wolves players will have some value. However, best to wait for free-agency or supplemental draft to see how the O-line pans out.
FLORIDA ATLANTIC OWLS
HEAD COACH: Howard Schnellenberger (Legendary coach, won 1983 National Title at Miami)
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Gary Nord (Schnellenberger protoge, former UTEP head coach)
MEDIA LINKS:
ESPN.com SI.com CFB News
SCHOOL WEBSITES/NEWSPAPERS/BLOGS:
FAU Football - Official Athletic Site Palm Beach Post
ANALYSIS/KEY PLAYERS: The defending SBC and New Orleans Bowl champs are returning the best fantasy player in the league in QB Rusty Smith , who threw for 3688 yards and 32 TDs. The breakout-QB had a breakout-WR to throw to in Cortez Gent , who snagged 1082 receiving yards and 9 TDs. TE Jason Harmon is also another prime target, with 825 yards and 5 TD receptions. Other WRs in the mix are Lester Jean and Chris Bonner . The FAU backfield is not shabby, either, led by RB Charles Pierre (782 yards rushing, 7 TDs) and pass-catching threat FB Willie Rose (7 TD receptions)….backup RB DiIvory Edgecomb averaged over 17 yards per reception, and scored 8 TDs overall (4 each rushing and receiving). With four returning starters on offensive line, the Owls prime players should have another productive season
MEDIA LINKS:
ESPN.com SI.com CFB News
SCHOOL WEBSITES/NEWSPAPERS/BLOGS:
FAU Football - Official Athletic Site Palm Beach Post
ANALYSIS/KEY PLAYERS: The defending SBC and New Orleans Bowl champs are returning the best fantasy player in the league in QB Rusty Smith , who threw for 3688 yards and 32 TDs. The breakout-QB had a breakout-WR to throw to in Cortez Gent , who snagged 1082 receiving yards and 9 TDs. TE Jason Harmon is also another prime target, with 825 yards and 5 TD receptions. Other WRs in the mix are Lester Jean and Chris Bonner . The FAU backfield is not shabby, either, led by RB Charles Pierre (782 yards rushing, 7 TDs) and pass-catching threat FB Willie Rose (7 TD receptions)….backup RB DiIvory Edgecomb averaged over 17 yards per reception, and scored 8 TDs overall (4 each rushing and receiving). With four returning starters on offensive line, the Owls prime players should have another productive season
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL GOLDEN PANTHERS
HEAD COACH: Mario Cristobal (Second season, former assitant at Miami)
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Bill Legg (Formerly Co-OC at Purdue)
Media Links
ESPN.com SI.com CFB News
SCHOOL WEBSITES/NEWSPAPERS/BLOGS:
FIU Sports MiamiHerald.com - FIU
ANALYSIS/KEY PLAYERS: New offensive coordinator Bill Legg comes over from Purdue to fix the FIU offense. Good luck. Actually, QB Paul McCall will be a free-agent/supplemental consideration since he was the only QB in the spring, his passing numbers should improve as he becomes the regular starter…he led the Golden Panthers to their first win in almost two seasons in the 2007 season finale vs North Texas. WR Greg Ellingson led the team with 304 yards receiving last year, and could be another beneficiary of the new offense. A’mod Ned rushed for nearly 600 yards last season, leading FIU in that category. Although new OC Legg will surely improve the FIU offense, note that the Purdue system relies on many short passes with low yards-per-completion numbers
Media Links
ESPN.com SI.com CFB News
SCHOOL WEBSITES/NEWSPAPERS/BLOGS:
FIU Sports MiamiHerald.com - FIU
ANALYSIS/KEY PLAYERS: New offensive coordinator Bill Legg comes over from Purdue to fix the FIU offense. Good luck. Actually, QB Paul McCall will be a free-agent/supplemental consideration since he was the only QB in the spring, his passing numbers should improve as he becomes the regular starter…he led the Golden Panthers to their first win in almost two seasons in the 2007 season finale vs North Texas. WR Greg Ellingson led the team with 304 yards receiving last year, and could be another beneficiary of the new offense. A’mod Ned rushed for nearly 600 yards last season, leading FIU in that category. Although new OC Legg will surely improve the FIU offense, note that the Purdue system relies on many short passes with low yards-per-completion numbers
LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE 
RAGIN’ CAJUNS
HEAD COACH: Rickey Bustle (7th season, 26-44 overall record) OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Blake Anderson (Second season, formerly at Middle Tennessee)
MEDIA LINKS:
ESPN.com SI.com CFB News
SCHOOL WEBSITES/NEWSPAPERS/BLOGS
RaginCajuns.com
ANALYSIS/KEY PLAYERS: ULL has two good fantasy considerations in Tim Tebow-lite QB Michael Desormeaux (1141 rushing yards, 7 TDs…1405 passing yards, 10 TDs) and four-year starting RB Tyrell Fenroy (1021 rushing yards, 7 TDs, right, Icon SMI)…note that Fenroy is on line to become one of the few RBs in NCAA history to rush for over 1000 yards in all four eligible seasons They both should have productive senior seasons as the Ragin Cajuns return four offensive line starters. Among the receivers, consider WR Jason Chery as he is a threat to run the ball as well as catch it. The Cajuns are a run-oriented team and should top their 250+ yards per game team rushing average.
LOUISIANA-MONROE WARHAWKS
HEAD COACH: Charlie Weatherbie (Sixth Season, former head coach at Navy and Utah State)
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Steve Farmer (Second Season as OC, was a co-OC last year)
MEDIA LINKS:
ESPN.com SI.com CFB News
SCHOOL WEBSITES/NEWSPAPERS/BLOGS:
University of Louisiana at Monroe Football Monroe News-Star
ANALYSIS/KEY PLAYERS: Even though the Warhawks lose All-SBC RB Calvin Dawson ,RB Frank Goodin should take over the slack, rushing for nearly 600 yards as a backup to Dawson last season. Goodin is definitely one of the top sleeper picks for 2008. QB Kinsmon Lancaster is a dual-threat QB (398 yards rushing, 1866 passing, 13 passing TDs) but had only 1 TD rushing in 2007. ULM is not loaded with fantasy WR talent, but boasts top TE Zeek Zacharie , who caught 6 TD passes last season…definitely a consideration for TE-must play leagues. Although the Warhawks play three SEC teams in 2008, they should be competitive against Arkansas and Ole Miss…and ULM won at Alabama last season.
MEDIA LINKS:
ESPN.com SI.com CFB News
SCHOOL WEBSITES/NEWSPAPERS/BLOGS:
University of Louisiana at Monroe Football Monroe News-Star
ANALYSIS/KEY PLAYERS: Even though the Warhawks lose All-SBC RB Calvin Dawson ,RB Frank Goodin should take over the slack, rushing for nearly 600 yards as a backup to Dawson last season. Goodin is definitely one of the top sleeper picks for 2008. QB Kinsmon Lancaster is a dual-threat QB (398 yards rushing, 1866 passing, 13 passing TDs) but had only 1 TD rushing in 2007. ULM is not loaded with fantasy WR talent, but boasts top TE Zeek Zacharie , who caught 6 TD passes last season…definitely a consideration for TE-must play leagues. Although the Warhawks play three SEC teams in 2008, they should be competitive against Arkansas and Ole Miss…and ULM won at Alabama last season.
MIDDLE TENNESSEE BLUE RAIDERS
HEAD COACH: Rick Stockstill (Third Season, longtime assistant at various schools)
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: G.A. Magnus (Second Season at MTSU)
MEDIA LINKS:
ESPN.com SI.com CFB News
SCHOOL WEBSITES/NEWSPAPERS/BLOGS:
GoBlueRaiders.com Murfreesboro Daily News Journal Nashville Tennessean
ANALYSIS/KEY PLAYERS: Although there was improvement in the Blue Raider offense in 2007 compared to 2006, there is not a lot of fantasy-worthy talent on the roster. Best bet would be QB Dwight Dasher , who is a decent passer, but, a real threat on the run (530 yds, 3 TDs). RB Desmond Gee , who has played a lot of WR in the past, is now entrenched at RB, and his receiving abilities merit fantasy consideration. Gee’s backup will be Phillip Tanner . The receiving corps will have some new faces in the lineup, and the one to watch of the group is WR Anthony Jones , a JUCO transfer who originally signed with Oklahoma State
MEDIA LINKS:
ESPN.com SI.com CFB News
SCHOOL WEBSITES/NEWSPAPERS/BLOGS:
GoBlueRaiders.com Murfreesboro Daily News Journal Nashville Tennessean
ANALYSIS/KEY PLAYERS: Although there was improvement in the Blue Raider offense in 2007 compared to 2006, there is not a lot of fantasy-worthy talent on the roster. Best bet would be QB Dwight Dasher , who is a decent passer, but, a real threat on the run (530 yds, 3 TDs). RB Desmond Gee , who has played a lot of WR in the past, is now entrenched at RB, and his receiving abilities merit fantasy consideration. Gee’s backup will be Phillip Tanner . The receiving corps will have some new faces in the lineup, and the one to watch of the group is WR Anthony Jones , a JUCO transfer who originally signed with Oklahoma State
NORTH TEXAS MEAN GREEN
HEAD COACH: Todd Dodge (Second Season, successful Texas HS coach)
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Todd Ford (Second Season, assistant with Dodge at HS level)
MEDIA LINKS:
ESPN.com SI.com
SCHOOL WEBSITES/NEWSPAPERS/BLOGS:
MeanGreenSports.com Denton Record-Chronicle Dallas Morning News
ANALYSIS/KEY PLAYERS: The key player for the Mean Green this season has yet to play a college game: True-freshman QB Riley Dodge . The son of the head coach should be the starter pretty early in the season, as he ran his father’s system (Dodge Ball) while in HS. Former starting QBs Giovanni Vizza and Daniel Meager have just one season of Dodge Ball…both at times were stellar, other times not so. North Texas in 2007 was blessed with the emergence of WR Casey Fitzgerald , who was one of the nation’s leaders in receiving yards and TDs, and a top fantasy WR. Other WRs who should produce for UNT will be Brock Stickler , Evan Walker , and Sam Dibrell . Looking for a fantasy-sleeper: How about RB Micah Mosley , who rushed for 5 TDs and caught 1 TD pass as a true-freshman last year, splitting time with the departed Jamario Thomas .
MEDIA LINKS:
ESPN.com SI.com
SCHOOL WEBSITES/NEWSPAPERS/BLOGS:
MeanGreenSports.com Denton Record-Chronicle Dallas Morning News
ANALYSIS/KEY PLAYERS: The key player for the Mean Green this season has yet to play a college game: True-freshman QB Riley Dodge . The son of the head coach should be the starter pretty early in the season, as he ran his father’s system (Dodge Ball) while in HS. Former starting QBs Giovanni Vizza and Daniel Meager have just one season of Dodge Ball…both at times were stellar, other times not so. North Texas in 2007 was blessed with the emergence of WR Casey Fitzgerald , who was one of the nation’s leaders in receiving yards and TDs, and a top fantasy WR. Other WRs who should produce for UNT will be Brock Stickler , Evan Walker , and Sam Dibrell . Looking for a fantasy-sleeper: How about RB Micah Mosley , who rushed for 5 TDs and caught 1 TD pass as a true-freshman last year, splitting time with the departed Jamario Thomas .
TROY TROJANS
HEAD COACH: Larry Blakeney (18th Season, 136-68-1 Record at Troy)
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Neal Brown (First Season, Youngest OC in NCAA at 27)
MEDIA LINKS:
ESPN - Troy Trojans SI.com Troy Trojans
SCHOOL WEBSITES/NEWSPAPERS/BLOGS:
Troy Trojans The Dothan Eagle | Troy Sports
ANALYSIS/KEY PLAYERS: Two big changes for the Trojans in 2008….star QB Omar Haugabook has used up his eligiblity, and Jamie Hampton steps up into the starter role. And, former OC Tony Franklin has moved on to Auburn, with former QB coach Neal Brown assuming the OC role. Production should stay the same level in 2008. WRs Jerrel Jernigan , Mykeal Terry , Kennard Burton , and Cornelius Williams all return…however Troy spreads the pass-catching wealth around so individually the Trojan WRs are not great fantasy performers. The wild-card in the mix could be RB Maurice Greer , a JUCO transfer who started his college career at Colorado…take note during free-agency/supplemental time. Of course, the Trojans usually produce a good fanatsy-worthy defense, but do lose All-American/NFL first-round pick CB Leodis McKelvin , whose fantasy production was better than most SBC offensive players (and personally won this writer a fantasy matchup last year).
MEDIA LINKS:
ESPN - Troy Trojans SI.com Troy Trojans
SCHOOL WEBSITES/NEWSPAPERS/BLOGS:
Troy Trojans The Dothan Eagle | Troy Sports
ANALYSIS/KEY PLAYERS: Two big changes for the Trojans in 2008….star QB Omar Haugabook has used up his eligiblity, and Jamie Hampton steps up into the starter role. And, former OC Tony Franklin has moved on to Auburn, with former QB coach Neal Brown assuming the OC role. Production should stay the same level in 2008. WRs Jerrel Jernigan , Mykeal Terry , Kennard Burton , and Cornelius Williams all return…however Troy spreads the pass-catching wealth around so individually the Trojan WRs are not great fantasy performers. The wild-card in the mix could be RB Maurice Greer , a JUCO transfer who started his college career at Colorado…take note during free-agency/supplemental time. Of course, the Trojans usually produce a good fanatsy-worthy defense, but do lose All-American/NFL first-round pick CB Leodis McKelvin , whose fantasy production was better than most SBC offensive players (and personally won this writer a fantasy matchup last year).
WESTERN KENTUCKY HILLTOPPERS
HEAD COACH: David Elson (Sixth Season, 37-22 record while at WKU)
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Kevin Wright (Second Season at WKU)
MEDIA LINKS:
ESPN Western Kentucky SI.com Western Kentucky
SCHOOL WEBSITES/NEWSPAPERS/BLOGS:
Western Kentucky University Official Sports Site
ANALYSIS/KEY PLAYERS: Now officially in FBS, but not yet eligible for the Sun Belt crown, Western Kentucky will field a competitive team with some fantasy-worthy talent. RB Tyrell Hayden ran for over 1100 yards and scored 10 TDs in 2007, and should match those numbers this season. Last season WKU featured two QBs, David Wolke and K.J. Black , and will probably run a two-QB system for 2008…making them undesireable for fantasy…unless one of them gets hurt. Someone will have to replace star WR Curtis Hamilton , and likely candidates will be Jake Gaebler , Jessie Quinn , Quinterrance Cooper , and Seth Tamme . Except for games at Alabama and Virginia Tech, the Hilltoppers will not face too many opponents that are a total mismatch.
MEDIA LINKS:
ESPN Western Kentucky SI.com Western Kentucky
SCHOOL WEBSITES/NEWSPAPERS/BLOGS:
Western Kentucky University Official Sports Site
ANALYSIS/KEY PLAYERS: Now officially in FBS, but not yet eligible for the Sun Belt crown, Western Kentucky will field a competitive team with some fantasy-worthy talent. RB Tyrell Hayden ran for over 1100 yards and scored 10 TDs in 2007, and should match those numbers this season. Last season WKU featured two QBs, David Wolke and K.J. Black , and will probably run a two-QB system for 2008…making them undesireable for fantasy…unless one of them gets hurt. Someone will have to replace star WR Curtis Hamilton , and likely candidates will be Jake Gaebler , Jessie Quinn , Quinterrance Cooper , and Seth Tamme . Except for games at Alabama and Virginia Tech, the Hilltoppers will not face too many opponents that are a total mismatch.
Topics: College Football, Daniel Freer, Preview, Sunbelt |
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