Teams in the Sun Belt Conference combined to go 6-5 this weekend against varying degrees of competition.
Two teams began the year against teams from Power Five Conference, and one of them won. The conference had three match-ups with the Mid-American Conference; they went 1-2 in those games.
Here are ranking for all 11 Sun Belt teams based on their performances this past weekend.
11. New Mexico State (0-1, 0-0)
The Aggies did not play too poorly in their 38-22 loss to UTEP, but they are the team climbing from last place.
Next game: Saturday, September 10th vs. New Mexico
10. Idaho (1-0, 0-0)
They won their season opener, but it was against FCS Montana State 20-17.
Next game: Saturday, September 10th at Washington
9. Louisiana-Lafayette (0-1, 0-0)
The Ragin’ Cajuns suffered the most lopsided loss in the conference, losing 45-10 to Boise State. Their goal this year is to get back to around nine wins and compete for the conference title again. Being a non-conference loss, it doesn’t hurt them too much, but it’s better to start the year off in more impressive fashion.
Next game: Saturday, September 10th vs. McNeese State
8. Georgia State (0-1, 0-0)
The Sun Belt Conference had three meetings with the Mid-American Conference this weekend. The Sun Belt went 1-2 starting with Georgia State’s 31-21 loss to Ball State. But unlike the other loss, the Panthers kept the game close.
Next game: Saturday, September 10th at Air Force
7. Louisiana Monroe (1-0, 0-0)
The Warhawks had their hands full with Southern on Saturday, but they can mark the game down as a 38-21 victory and move on.
Next game: Saturday, September 10th at Oklahoma
6. Texas State (1-0, 0-0)
They needed three overtimes, but Texas State trumped Ohio 56-54 to win their season opener.
Next game: Bye
5. Arkansas State (0-1, 0-0)
The reigning conference champions did not begin the year ideally. They were thumped by Toledo 31-10. Their strength going into the season was supposed to be their fast, high-powered offense. Being held to only 10 points shows that the Red Wolves have a lot to work on moving forward.
Next game: Saturday, September 10th at Auburn
4. Troy (1-0, 0-0)
The Trojans had the second biggest blowout win in the conference with a 57-17 win over Austin-Peay. It’s not too impressive, but they played the way they were supposed to play in this game.
Next game: Saturday, September 10th at Clemson
3. Appalachian State (0-1, 0-0)
The 2015 Sun Belt runner-up nearly defeated Tennessee to produce the biggest week one upset since they defeated Michigan nine years ago. The ran the ball well, and their defense was dominant. If they hadn’t missed a PAT attempt in the first half, they probably would have beat Tennessee. Out of all the games Sun Belt teams lost this weekend, the Mountaineers displayed the most impressive performance by far.
Next game: Saturday, September 10th vs. Old Dominion
2. South Alabama (1-0, 0-0)
Where Appalachian State nearly shocked the college football world, South Alabama did so with a 21-20 upset win over Mississippi State. The Jaguars have been getting better and better each year, and this season they are trying to make their record reflect it. They now have the confidence to make that happen.
Next game: Saturday, September 10th vs. Georgia Southern
1. Georgia Southern (1-0, 0-0)
The Eagles enjoyed the most disproportionate win out of all Sun Belt victories this weekend. They defeated the clearly over-matched Savannah State Tigers 54-0. Georgia Southern played like they were supposed to, which is a good way to begin a campaign for the conference title.
Next game: Saturday, September 10th at South Alabama
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