GoMiddle.com - Weekend primer: SBC race hitting high gear

October 22, 2009

Randall Thomason
GoMiddle.com Publisher

It's a full slate of action this weekend in the Sun Belt as the league race continues to take shape.

ULM plays a significant non-conference game but the rest of the action takes place inside the league.

GoMiddle.com breaks down what to look for on Saturday in Sun Belt play.

THE SCHEDULE

Saturday's games
WKU at Middle Tenn., 2:30 p.m. (Sun Belt Network)
North Texas at Troy, 2:30 p.m.
FAU at UL-Lafayette, 4 p.m.
FIU at Arkansas State, 6 p.m.
ULM at Kentucky, 6 p.m. (FSN)

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

HOW WILL ULM RESPOND?- The Warhawks are 4-2 and undefeated in the Sun Belt, but they can make their biggest statement of the year in non-conference action this week at Kentucky. ULM succeeded early in the year behind an offensive attack that leads the league in scoring, but the Warhawks proved last week they could win a defensive oriented game in a 16-10 win over Arkansas State. But ULM faces a big challenge with starting quarterback Trey Revell sidelined for a few weeks after sustaining a broken thumb. The starter against Kentucky is Cody Wells, who completed 5 of 9 passes in relief of Revell against Arkansas State.

CAJUN DEFENSE FACES BIG TEST- Louisiana-Lafayette is a bit under the radar at 2-0 in the league, likely because the Cajuns' two wins have come against cellar dwellers North Texas and Western Kentucky. ULL had to win a 38-34 shootout against North Texas two weeks ago, and the Cajuns will likely have to win a similar game this week against FAU. The Owls have been awful on defense, but their offense has picked it up in recent weeks and scored 44 on the road last week at North Texas. The game pits the league's second ranked pass offense (FAU) against the second ranked pass defense (ULL).

WILL RED WOLVES SOLVE OFFENSIVE PROBLEMS?- Arkansas State is off to a disappointing 0-2 start in the league and its offense had a bad letdown in last week's Tuesday night loss to ULM. ASU surprisingly ranks next to last in the league in total offense, but that is at least partly due to a very difficult early schedule that has included consecutive games against Nebraska, Troy, Iowa, and ULM. The hard schedule hasn't stopped the Red Wolves from fielding one of the league's top defenses, however. If ASU doesn't have a breakout performance against FIU this week, then there is very legitimate reason for the Red Wolves to worry about their attack. The Golden Panthers have allowed more than 40 points in four games this season.

BIGGEST UPSET POTENTIAL

FLORIDA ATLANTIC vs. LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE- The Owls got their first win last week on the road at North Texas and the Cajuns have yet to face even a mid-level opponent in the Sun Belt. The Owls have some serious defensive shortcomings but against the league's sixth ranked offense FAU may have just enough to get another road win and tag the Cajuns with their first conference defeat.

LOCK OF THE WEEK

MIDDLE TENNESSEE over WESTERN KENTUCKY- The Blue Raiders have not looked impressive in their last two games, but this week's opponent isn't near the caliber of Troy and Mississippi State. WKU is fast running out of reasonable opportunities to pick up a win, but MT will be playing with an equal sense of urgency because the Blue Raiders still see themselves as a viable threat in the league race. Expect the MT offense to have a good bounce back performance against the Hilltoppers.

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