The Sun Belt Conference is not the same conference as last year. Florida Atlantic and Florida International will enter the conference after playing their 2004 season in Division I-AA. The state of New Mexico, Idaho and the state of Utah have left to join the WAC. No matter how the conference is made up, North Texas will be looking for its fifth straight conference title and an automatic bid to the New Orleans Bowl.
2005 Expected order of arrival
1. NORTH TEXAS
With the best rushing attack in the conference, the Mean Greens should repeat as conference champions. They have two of the best running backs from the last two seasons coming back. Sophomore Jamario Thomas (180 yards per game) finished as the leading rusher in the nation. The best runner of 2003, Patrick Cobbs, will fight for the title again this year. The Mean Green will have these players lined up across the field and we’ll see an exciting game every time they play.
2. MIDDLE TENNESSEE
With 18 returning starters (8 offensive, 10 defensive), the Blue Raiders will be at the center of the conference title race. Junior quarterback Clint Marks leads the offense and with the passing performance of the past few seasons (2,749 yards and a 70.4 completion percentage) leads the conference in that category. The other part of the offense will focus on junior Eugene Gross to lead the running game. Defensive lineman Quinton Staton, a former offensive lineman, will pace the defense.
3. LOUSIANA-LAFAYETTE
With the return of Bill Sampy’s senior quarterback, Jerry Babb, the Ragin Cajuns are an automatic contender for the conference title. The junior quarterback not only has the required precision, but can also hurt the opposing defense with his running ability. Solid special teams and a strong defense will help the Ragin Cajuns settle for the title.
4. TROY
Troy will have to replace 23 seniors from the 2004 team. This includes six offensive unit starters. Linebackers Laverne Johnson and Bernard Davis, and defensive back Johnny Faulk will be the force behind this team’s success. DT McDowell will return at quarterback and try to lead the offense through a rebuilding era.
5. LOUSIANA MONROE
The Sun Belt Freshman of the Year Kevin Payne for 2003 will return after sitting out in 2004 with a broken arm. If he returns to his 2003 form, this could be another team in contention for the title. Quarterback Steve Jyles is a dual threat, leading the team in passing (2,300) and rushing (587). An inexperienced defense will follow defensive lineman Brandon Guillory.
6. FLORIDA ATLANTIC
After last season’s 9-3 record and losing most of the starters, the Owls will have a rebuilding season. The secondary should be the strong point this year with Willie Hughley and Lawrence Gordon. BJ Manley will take over from former West Virginia backup Danny Embrick at quarterback.
7. FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL
The Golden Panthers will have an effective offense with Josh Patrick starting at quarterback behind a solid offensive line. He will have sophomore Julian Reams as a running back to work with. His defense was one of the worst in I-AA last season and he will have to step up to help the team avoid the Sun Belt cellar.
8. STATE OF ARKANSAS
The strong point of this team is the young defense. Sophomore linebacker Josh Williams and defensive back Tyrell Johnson will earn all-Sun Belt honors once. The offense trails Antonio Warren (1,036 yards) and quarterback Nick Nole, but the rest of the unit is inexperienced.