SUN BELT CONFERENCE 2009 PREVIEW

July 24th, 2009 by Daniel Freer

rustysmith For those fantasy team owners who include the Sun Belt Conference in their leagues, the upcoming 2009 season will find a good number of fantasy prospects….scattered all around the nine member schools

With fantasy prospects like Florida Atlantic QB Rusty Smith (photo, thanks Scout.com), the SBC in 2009 will have its deepest pool of talent in the conference’s short history

ARKANSAS STATE RED WOLVES

Strengths: RB Reggie Arnold (photo right, thanks Betsodds.com) is the model of consistency…already with three 1000-yard rushing seasons in his reggiearnold career….and should become one of the few in NCAA history to go 4 for 4 in 1000-yard rushing seasons. QB Corey Leonard is a late-round consideration…with 16 TD passes and 516 rushing yards (4 rushing TDs) in 2008.

Weaknesses: Although Leonard is a good passer, the passes are spread around many different receivers…which prevents any Red Wolves WR from being a fantasy consieration. Also, as good as Arnold is…he does get banged up a little during the season….reducing the number of his carries.

FLORIDA ATLANTIC OWLS

Strengths: The passing game, with QB Rusty Smith running the show, has been potent the past two seasons…although Smith’s 3224 yards passing and 24 TD passes in 2008 were just slightly off his 2007 production. Look for a big year from Smith, as he has top WR Cortez Gent (935 rec. yards, 9 TDs) back….along with the three-headed TE monster in Jason Harmon (injured in 2008), Jamari Grant (642 rec. yards, 4 TDs), and Rob Housler (519 rec. yards, 4 TDs)….those in TE-must-play leagues need to consider all three. Although they open at Nebraska and then go to South Carolina two weeks later….the FAU schedule is not too challenging after week three.

Weaknesses: Someone will need to step up at RB to replace Charles Pierre, who rushed for over 1000 yards last season. Top candidates are Alfred Morris and Xavier Stinson.

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL GOLDEN PANTHERS

Strengths: WR T.Y. Hilton (photo with ball, thanks photogallery.com) could be the most electricfying player tyhilton in the entire SBC…as a true-freshman last season he had over 1000 yards receiving, and 7 TD catches. Hilton finished with 11 total TDs as he scored on hand-offs, punt returns, and kick returns….and will be gone early on draft day. A sleeper to keep an eye on is RB Daniel Perry, who shined late last year when head coach Mario Cristobal removed his red-shirt.

Weaknesses: FIU’s brutal non-conference schedule will limit production, with trips to Alabama, Rutgers, and Florida. If the schedule was not so brutal WR Hilton would be a lock for being one of the first five fantasy WRs taken in your fantasy draft.

LOUISIANA RAGIN’ CAJUNS

Strengths: Although they lose the core of their skill-position talent, the Ragin’ Cajuns return their entire offensive line starters, making it easier for QB Brad McGuire, the new full-time starter. Losing talented RB Tyrell Fenroy will be tough, but Undrea Sails could be the one to fill the void, and is a late-draft consideration.

Weaknesses: UL is a run-oriented team, so there are no real fantasy considerations at WR. Also, the UL schedule is a little tough, with back-to-back games at LSU and at Nebraska in weeks three and four.

LOUISIANA-MONROE WARHAWKS

Strengths: RB Frank Goodin is better than his 783 yards and 5 TDs rushing from 2008, and is a late fantasy consideration. WR Anthony McCall caught 6 TD passes among his 28 receptions last season. A QB to watch and consider, after your draft, is Troy Revell…who is a good runner and a satisfactory passer…similar to the departed Kinsmon Lancaster from previous seasons.

Weaknesses: The non-conference slate is tough…with trips to Texas, Arizona State, and Kentucky….all games where ULM will be a decisive underdog (although it must be noted that the Warhawks stunned Alabama during the 2007 season).

MIDDLE TENNESSEE BLUE RAIDERS

Strengths: On Dasher and Tanner….OK maybe not the guys running the sleigh on Christmas Eve, but QB Dwight Dasher will most likely start as QB….and he is a big running threat (albeit not a great passer). RB Phillip Tanner rushed for 714 yards and 15 TDs last season…and MT returns its entire starting offensive line. Both Dasher and Tanner are worthy fantasy picks. WRs Eldred King and Macolm Beyah are solid WRs who are late fantasy considerations.

Weaknesses: Although King and Beyah are late fantasy considerations…their numbers could be affected if Dasher uses his legs to move the offense, instead of his arm.

NORTH TEXAS MEAN GREEN

Strengths: Dodgeball: The Offense. QB Riley Dodge (photo, thanks xosnsports.com) takes over as rileydodge starter, running his father’s (head coach Todd Dodge) noted “Dodgeball” offense that terrorized Texas prep football for years. By season’s end, Dodge will be one of the top fantasy QBs in the nation. Although there will be turnover at the WR position, look for JUCO imports WR Michael Outlaw and Jamaal Jackson to catch a lot of passes….along with returning WR Sam Roberson. RB Cam Montgomery is a big, productive back who rushed for over 900 yards and 9 TDs last season….a back good enough to keep the opposing defenses honest. Although there is a trip to Alabama in week three…North Texas will have one of the easier schedules among SBC members in 2009.

Weaknesses: It could take a few weeks for the new skill position players to get in synch, but, this offense could be one of the better ones as the season winds down.

TROY TROJANS

Strengths: The defending SBC champs have the best overall talent in the conference. RB/FB DuJuan Harris (photo, with ball, thanks Scout.com) had nearly 1100 yards dujuanharris rushing and 11 rushing TDs in 2008…adding 31 catches and 3 receiving TDs. Harris is a certain draft day pick. QB Levi Brown took over the starting job during the 2008 season, and finished with 2030 yards passing and 15 TDs…and should improve on those numbers in 2009. At WR, Jerrel Jernigan led the team with 77 receptions and 5 TD grabs, while incoming WR Josh Jarboe was a top recruit for Oklahoma a couple of seasons ago….and he brings size to an undersized (but talented) WR corps. PK Sam Glusman hit 20 FGs last season, and scored 108 points. QB Brown, WRs Jernigan, Jarboe, and PK Glusman will be taken on draft day.

Weaknesses: Not much….though their usually stout defense will be replacing a number of starters….especially in their secondary…which traditionally produces big plays on defense. Also, while their schedule is manageable, the Trojans do have to play at Florida in week two (which will not be easy for the Gators, either…ask LSU). Under head coach Larry Blakeney, Troy is one of the best coached and best prepared teams in the nation.

WESTERN KENTUCKY HILLTOPPERS

Strengths: WR Jake Gaebler is the top receiver for the Hilltoppers, with nearly 600 yards and 4 TDs in 2008. RB Tyrell Hayden struggled last season, but did rush for over 1000 yards two seasons ago.

Weaknesses: WKU lacked production at QB in 2008, with the QBs throwing a combined 9 total TDs, and may be starting a redshirt-freshman (Kawaun Jakes) at that position for 2009. The Hilltoppers are entering their third season of Division I-FBS play, and their first official season as a member of the SBC.

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