Top Sun Belt Non-Conference Games

Non-Conference Games to watch:

• Ohio at Idaho: The Sun Belt would love nothing better than for Idaho to have a successful season this fall and the Vandals have a chance in a winnable game versus Ohio. The Bobcats have been middle of the pack in the MAC lately and while they should be the better team, making a trip cross country to play at Idaho in an odd atmosphere is enough to make this game closer than it should be.
• Charlotte at Georgia State: The Panthers will host Charlotte in the 49ers very first game on the FBS level as a transitional school. Charlotte will not fare as well as other recent FBS teams like Georgia Southern and the Panthers should give them a big time wake up call. The Panthers may be bad on defense but can throw the ball all over the field and should win this game going away.
• Louisiana at Kentucky: The Ragin' Cajuns head into this season on the heels of four straight 9-4 seasons under head coach Mark Hudspeth. What has been missing for Louisiana lately is a hot start and a win over an SEC team on the road would be a statement to the country. Running back Elijah McGuire is the best player that will be on the field in the game but needs the Ragin' Cajuns pass defense to show up versus a Wildcats team that will toss the ball all over the field. 
• Missouri at Arkansas State: Missouri did everything in their power to move this game and do not really want to go to Jonesboro for this game. Arkansas State returns an offense led by Fredi Knighten that lit up several scoreboards last fall and should do so again in 2015. If the Red Wolves defense is improved enough to make a few stops, then Arkansas State can set themselves up for a statement win. That is a big if versus the two-time defending SEC East champs.
• Western Michigan at Georgia Southern: A matchup between two of the biggest surprises in 2014, the Broncos bring in an offense that is superb at throw and running the ball led by running back Javarion Franklin and his 1500+ yards rushing as a freshman in 2014. The Eagles run and run and run some more on offense with running back Matt Breida lead the way. Both defenses were good last season but going up again these high powered offenses should see the scoreboard lit up.
• Southern Miss at Texas State: The Bobcats head into this season desperately wanting a bowl berth after being bowl eligible but not earning a berth last fall. Southern Miss needs this game to have a realistic shot at six wins and a bowl berth of their own. The winner of this game will likely go bowling this fall while the loser will probably not hear their name called when bowls are announced. 
• South Alabama at San Diego State: The Jaguars are heading cross country to face the preseason MWC West Division champion Aztecs. San Diego State has one of the best running backs in the nation in Donnell Pumphrey. The only way that South Alabama can win this game is to stop him. The Jaguars are a much different team than in 2014 with several UAB transfer that will make significant contributions on the upcoming season. How well they mesh with the current talent on the roster will determine how well South Alabama does this fall.
• Arkansas State at Toledo: A rematch of a GoDaddys Bowl that saw over 100 points scored, the Red Wolves would like nothing better than to take out the MAC preseason favorite Rockets. Toledo running back Kareem Hunt was one of the most explosive players in the nation last fall and should be in the top 10 nationally in rushing barring an injury. Expect Knighten and company to come out blazing versus a Toledo offense that struggles against the pass.
• Texas State at Houston: For Texas State, winning at Houston would be the best win as an FBS program and could really get the attention of the nation. Houston is a good team overall and one of the favorites to make a trip to the AAC title game with converted wide receiver Greg Ward Jr. leading the way at quarterback. This game has the ability to be one of the more fun games to watch in the Sun Belt non-conference slate.
• Georgia State at Ball State: The Panthers have been telling everyone in the offseason that they are better than in the past and this is a game they should win if they are truly better. Ball State has been unable to break out of the logjam in the middle of the MAC and will struggle to slow down the Georgia State passing game. Expect the Panthers to win this non-conference game.