How good is Las Vegas? The line on Memphis vs. Arkansas State was +5.5 Red Wolves. A furious second half comeback by the Red Wolves and QB James Blackman didn’t deliver a Sun Belt win over the American, but it did result in a final score of 55-50. What performance enhancing dope is Vegas munching and where can I get some?
Vegas wasn’t as tight with South Alabama who edged Bowling Green despite being a two TD favorite. But Vegas got close with Coastal (blowout) and Texas State (squeaker), which makes me wonder if Las Vegas isn’t paying closer attention to the Sun Belt these days.
South Alabama is 2-0 and Legit
The season is young, but the Jaguars have already defeated CUSA and the MAC. True, South Bama needed to shut out and score 10 on the Falcons in the 4th quarter to secure the 22-19 victory, but good teams find ways to win, even when they’re not playing their best. There’s no reason why Kane Womack can’t deliver a 3-0 start after Week 3s matchup with Alcorn State.
Is Louisiana Battling 2020 Letdown?
The Cajuns defense nearly allowed Nicholls to escape Lafayette with a victory, surrendering two touchdowns in the 4th quarter to the Colonels. The Cajuns wound up with a 27-24 win, but Billy Napier could not have been happy with the performance. Coming off the defeat to Texas and the loss of its AP Top 25 status, one wonders if the Cajuns are suffering from some malaise.
Coastal Has Yet to Even Breathe Hard
A 52-14 blasting of Citadel followed by a 49-22 thumping of Kansas hasn’t provided much sport for the Chanticleers, who have yet to stray from Conway this year. A visit to 1-1 Buffalo may provide a deeper challenge to the Chants, but probably not. Jamey Chadwell is not removing his foot off the accelerator in 2021, so we should expect to see the Sun Belt in the Top 25 for some time.
Appalachian State Won in its Loss to Miami (FL)
It’s never easy to visit a program on its home turf – especially when that opponent is #22 Miami. The Mountaineers had a 14-12 lead entering the third quarter, and then led 23-22 with only six minutes left in the game. The Hurricane needed a field goal late to cement the 25-23 lead, getting them a win and knocking Miami down to 24th in the AP. (For God’s sake, guys, Miami isn’t worthy). But even in the loss, the Mountaineers managed to polish the brand and position RB Cameron Peoples (95, 1 TD) as a legit offensive star.
Troy Has a Solid Defense
In a 21-13 loss to Liberty, Troy’s defense recorded five sacks and 10 TFL. After limiting Southern to a field goal, and allowing only three goals to the powerful Hugh Freeze, Troy should feel pretty good about its defense. If it can put some offense together, look for the Trojans to have a bounce back against Southern Miss in Week 3.
Georgia Southern’s Season is Already Spiraling into the Abyss
The Eagles’ 38-6 loss to FAU was pretty gross, with the Owls scoring 38 unanswered after Georgia Southern scored first (missing the XP). This comes off a very shaky 30-25 victory over FCS Gardner-Webb. In Week 3, the Eagles get newly minted AP #20 Arkansas at Fayetteville, and it doesn’t look promising for those baptized in Beautiful Eagle Creek.
Howl Raiser 