Sun Belt Power Rankings (9/5/17)

The Sun Belt featured close calls in week one. Arkansas State gave everything they could handle and the Sun Belt as a whole represented itself as a tough out for nearly any team in the nation.

1. Appalachian State (0-1, 0-0): You could make a case that Arkansas State looked like the best team in the Sun Belt in week one, but I will not hold a poor performance by the Mountaineers in week one against them. They have a chance to regroup and recover with a cupcake game versus Savannah State.
2. Arkansas State (0-1, 0-0): Wait, don’t the Red Wolves normally struggle in non-conference play before kicking it into gear in Sun Belt play? This group looks ready to contend with everyone, but must make it through a gauntlet that includes Miami (FL) and SMU.
3. Troy (0-1, 0-0): The Trojans had Boise State on the ropes at times, but could not string together enough offense to pull off arguably the biggest win in a very long time. With Alcorn State, NMSU, and Akron in the next three weeks, expect the Trojans to be halfway to bowl eligibility when they face #12 LSU.
4. Idaho (1-0, 0-0): The Vandals struggled a bit in a season opening win, but are still easily the fourth best team in the conference. They cannot afford to lose to an angry UNLV squad with a trip to Western Michigan on the horizon.
5. Louisiana (1-0, 0-0): I don’t even know how to describe Saturday night for the Ragin’ Cajuns. They were dominated in nearly every facet of the game, but got two kickoff returns for touchdowns and a stand at the end and got the win. Up next is a Tulsa team looking to prove their doubters wrong.  
6. New Mexico State (0-1, 0-0): Let’s be honest, after the third quarter, the Aggies never really had a chance to win over Arizona State. Still, they fought to the end, put up 31 points, looked respectable versus a PAC 12 program. If the defense is improved, they have a chance to get to six wins.   
7. South Alabama (0-1, 0-0): For a half, the Jaguars looked poised to beat a Mississippi team from the SEC for the second time in two years. Those hopes faded fast as they gave up 27 points in the third quarter and lost big to the Rebels. With Oklahoma State, Idaho, and Louisiana Tech still on the schedule before October, this could be a tough month for South Alabama.
8. Coastal Carolina (1-0, 0-0): The Chanticleers have to earn their way up the rankings, but more wins over FBS opposition will help the cause. They could hypothetically head into October 4-0 with winnable games versus UAB, Western Illinois, and ULM. They could also easily lose all three.
9. ULM (0-1, 0-0): Huge underdogs to Memphis, the Warhawks made things a bit more stressful before bowing down in the rain. Don’t expect Riley Ferguson to be held under 100 yards passing once again, so props to the ULM defense.  
10. Georgia Southern (0-1, 0-0): Look, I know they were playing Auburn, but 78 total yards is embarrassing. I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt this early in the season. Up next is a matchup with FCS program New Hampshire.
11. Texas State (1-0, 0-0): The Bobcats won and that is all that matters. It was not pretty and Houston Baptist had chances, but a win is a win. Colorado, Appalachian State, UTSA, and Wyoming await the Bobcats to end September.  
12. Georgia State (0-1, 0-0): Getting dominated at home versus Tennessee State was not the way to open a new home for the program. There is talent on the roster, so hopefully, this is a blip on the radar like a loss two years ago to Charlotte that led to an eventual bowl berth.