Once gain, Howlraiser asked me, the incredible Dr. Sebastian Krackbone, and definitely not the knavish Jeremy Harper wearing a cartoon monocle, mustache and top hat, to address the most difficult questions in the Sun Belt. If you have issues with my penetrating analysis, please take it up with my lawyer.

Q: Will it be another Sun Belt title for the Troy Trojans?

A: Nope! Troy not only lost its championship-winning head coach Jon Sumrall, the Trojans will only see about 36% of its starters return – ranking them 129th in the nation. Among those who bid adios are starting QB Gunnar Watson, superstar running back Kimani Vidal and productive wide receiver Jabre Barber, who is now catching passes for Texas A&M. Troy still has some talent on the offensive line, but it’s a rebuilding year for new head coach Gerad Parker.

Q: Are the Chanticleers a true threat without Grayson McCall?

A: Nah! Even with McCall behind center last season, the Chants weren’t the same SBC East powerhouse. Sophomore Ethan Vasko is not without skill, and he did receive some valuable experience last year, but the talent has slowly drained out of Conway with a bevy of programs passing them by.

Q: Can Jordan McCloud be for Texas State the same Jordan McCloud he was for James Madison?

A: Probably. McCloud produced 3,657 passing yards and 35 touchdowns against just 10 interceptions for the Dukes last season, which the Bobcats would likely gladly accept, as those numbers are even better than TJ Finley’s production in 2023 (3,439 yards, 24 TDs, 8 INTs). Look, this is McCloud’s second new system and personnel to learn in two seasons, which is asking a lot, even for a guy as talented as McCloud. That said, the Bobcats should get better than good production from QB this season, even if it takes McClound a couple games to find his footing.

Q: Is this positive Cajun talk for reals?

A: Eh. Everybody seems to be on the Michael Desormeaux Year 3 bandwagon, despite the Cajuns losing their budding star QB to the portal and losing five of their last seven games last season. Much of the optimism lies in returning production – about 73% of last season’s starters are back, including key pieces of the defense. But are the Cajuns really contenders in a Cage Match West? It doesn’t look that way to me, and I’m a doctor.

Q: Is there anyone on the coaching Hot Seat in the Sun Belt?

A: Not really. The Sun Belt replaced 36% of it’s head coaches last season, including a couple who probably felt a little warmth on their backsides. It’s hard to think who might be facing the executioner’s ax this December. A slow start for Desormeaux would probably not bode well for his future in Lafayette. Perhaps another ho-hum year for Clay Helton in Statesboro could illicit some grumbling. It’s probably time for Butch Jones in Jonesboro to produce, but expectations in Hattiesburg has settled enough to keep the flames off Will Hall’s tush.

Q: Is Phil Steele right about the Sun Belt having too much talent drained in 2024?

A: Afraid so. The sudden talent vacuum is most apparent at quarterback in the Sun Belt East, where the majority of programs are starting new signal callers. Additionally, an ass-ton of Sun Belt superstars and rising talents went after the Portal Bag: Nate Noel. Javante Mackey, Keyron Crawford, Marcus Carrol, Mikail Kamara, James Carpenter, Elijah Sarratt, Jayden Harrison, Kadarius Calloway, Caullin Lacy, Yam Banks, Khalil Jacobs, Jabre Barber, Ashtyn Hawkins, and Adin Huntington are just a few A-listers who moved on to other pastures. As a result, Steele is on record for saying the Sun Belt may not be the premier G5 after all, with the Mountain West stepping in. Is he right? It’s hard to make up for so much loss.

PHOTO CREDIT: possibly Annie Leibovitz