Sun Belt Fearless Predictions - Week 1 Part 2

Previews and predictions for the week one ACC games

Week One Sun Belt Fearless Predictions

Sun Belt
Arkansas State | Florida Atlantic | Florida International | MTSU
North Texas | Troy | UL Lafayette | UL Monroe

Saturday, September 2nd
Alabama State at Troy  7 pm EST
Why to watch: Move over Auburn vs. Alabama, nothing divides the state like Alabama State vs. Troy. The Trojans desperately need to get off to a good start with a four game road stretch at Florida State, Georgia Tech, Nebraska and UAB over the rest of September. With a new wide-open offense, the Trojans need all the time they can get.
Why Alabama State might win: The Hornets have to force turnovers and must hope the new Troy attack sputters and coughs. On the flip side, Troy is 0-12 since 2000 when it doesn't force a turnover, so ASU has to hold on to the ball and has to be efficient.
Why Troy might win: The Trojans are going to be fully focused. The only was ASU has a shot is if Troy is looking ahead to all the tough games, but that's not going to happen after the way last year finished up. Head coach Larry Blakeney hasn't lost a home opener in 15 years. On the field, ASU will have to do everything right to win, but it won't. The special teams are too average and there isn't enough talent on defense.
Who to watch: The best Troy receiver might be playing for ASU. James Earl Cray caught 32 passes for 382 yards and three touchdowns for the Trojans before transferring, and he'll need to open things up for the rest of the Hornet offense. ... All eyes will be on new Troy quarterback Omar Haugabook to see how he can handle the new offense. The Trojan attack did next to nothing last year, so any production will be a huge improvement, but Haugabook has to be solid right away or the upcoming games could be brutal.
What will happen: Troy is 12-2 against ASU with the last win a 62-19 bashing in 2000. It won't be that bad, but it won't be far off.
CFN Prediction: Troy 34 ... Alabama State 16 ... Line: No Line
Must See Rating: (5 skip the birth of your first born - 1 Pants Off, Dance Off) ... 1 
Final Score: 

Saturday, September 2nd
Army at Arkansas State  7:05 pm EST
Why to watch: In the late season run to the New Orleans Bowl, Arkansas State got pummeled 38-10 at Army and needs payback or risk a likely 0-3 start with Oklahoma State and a trip to SMU ahead. Army cranked out 300 rushing yards in last year's meeting and took advantage of several mistakes, and it'll need the same formula to come out of Jonesboro with a win. This might not generate any sort of buzz for the average fan, but it could turn out to be an entertaining, competitive game.
Why Army might win: The Black Knight offensive front is the best it's been in years and should push the ASU D line around. The Indian back seven is excellent, but it'll take at least half the season for the line to jell, if it does come together. 300 rushing yards is asking for a lot, but there shouldn't be too many problems controlling the clock and giving new quarterback David Pevoto time to work. The ASU offense has way too many issues to get into any sort of firefight.
Why Arkansas State might win: Yeah, the Army line might be strong, but the backfield is going to need time and experience. Yeah, the ASU defensive line might have problems, but the back seven should be fantastic with one of the Sun Belt's best linebacking corps led by the return of Josh Williams. The Army backs will hit a brick wall once they get through the line, so if ASU can keep the Black Knight ground production to a minimum, the outcome will be far different than it was late last year.
Who to watch: The new quarterbacks have to prove they can move their respective offenses. Pevoto is a big, strong passer who should add a different dimension than the erratic Zac Dahman. However, he's not going to run too much. Arkansas State is still trying to figure out exactly who the best fit for the offense is with sophomore Travis Hewitt and redshirt freshman Corey Leonard each sure to see time early this year. Hewitt has decent mobility, but he doesn't have the all-around skills of Leonard.
What will happen: It's not going to be a thing of beauty. Each team will deliver a few haymakers and each will make several huge mistakes, and the one that capitalizes the best will come away with the win.
CFN Prediction: Army 23 ... Arkansas State 13 ... Line: Army -5.5
Must See Rating: (5 skip the birth of your first born - 1 Pants Off, Dance Off) ... 2 
Final Score:  

Saturday, September 2nd
UL Lafayette at LSU  8 pm EST GamePlan
Why to watch: These might end up being the two best teams in their respective conferences. UL Lafayette appears to be the best team in the Sun Belt with a great backfield and a fantastic running game. The key will be to stay alive over the next two weeks against LSU and Texas A&M before things lighten up in a big way with McNeese State and Eastern Michigan. LSU will win in a walk and needs to work out any and all kinks with Arizona and Auburn coming up.
Why UL Lafayette might win: The only possible shot ULL has of keeping this from being brutally ugly is if the ground game can keep the Tiger offense off the field. This is a fantastic ball control attack with RB Tyrell Fenroy and quarterbacks Jerry Babb and Michael Desormeaux all veteran runners who should be able to crank out a few decent drives. However ...
Why LSU might win: ... the zone-read offense, at least the version that the Ragin' Cajuns run, won't do much against teams with great team speed. ULL will get its runners in the open, but the speedy Tiger defensive front seven will close the gaps in a big hurry. On the other side of the ball, the ULL defensive front seven has decent size, but they're not going to hold up for more than two quarters before the LSU offensive line takes over.
Who to watch: JaMarcus Russell had better be razor sharp, or the LSU quarterback situation will get even more interesting. Russell is the most experienced quarterback in the mix, but Matt Flynn has shown he can run the attack and win and Ryan Perrilloux is a star-in-waiting. It's Russell's team, but there will be a concern if he doesn't carve up the Ragin' Cajun secondary at will.
What will happen: ULL will play well for about a quarter, and then the LSU defense will shut down the ground game and things will turn ugly.
CFN Prediction: LSU 52 ... UL Lafayette 10 ... Line: LSU -30.5
Must See Rating: (5 skip the birth of your first born - 1 Pants Off, Dance Off) ... 1.5 
Final Score: 

Week One Sun Belt Fearless Predictions