Sun Belt Power Rankings: Week Six

Week five was suppose to be quiet due to half of the league sitting at home for their bye week, but Neal Brown and the Trojans had some different plans.

It ended up being one of the craziest Saturdays of the year and it’s now time to make some changes to the power rankings. Here’s how the teams stand as we approach the halfway point of the season.

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1.) Troy Trojans (4-1, beat LSU 24-21)

Last Week: 2

The league desperately needed a big non-conference win and Neal Brown’s club collected one on Saturday night as they knocked off LSU in Death Valley. The Troy defense continued it’s terrific play and senior running back Jordan Chunn had 191 rushing yards to lead the offense. It’s been a Troy love fest since the clock hit zeroes and the Trojans are off on Saturday before hosting South Alabama next Wednesday.

2.) Appalachian State Mountaineers (2-2, Idle)

Last Week: 1

The Mountaineers were one of the many teams off this past Saturday as they were at home trying to recover from their brutal home loss to Wake Forest. This Saturday the Mountaineers will be back at Kidd Brewer Stadium to host New Mexico State. Due to the schedule, this may be App State’s best chance at a loss in conference play.

3.) Arkansas State Red Wolves (1-2, Idle)

Last Week: 3

The Red Wolves were off last week before they head to Statesboro on Wednesday to take on a winless Georgia Southern squad. The Arkansas State defense has struggled to start the season, but they should get healthy against an anemic Southern offense. Can quarterback Justice Hansen continue his stellar play?

4.) New Mexico State Aggies (2-3, lost at Arkansas 24-42)

Last Week: 4

The NMSU running game was a no show against Arkansas on Saturday as the Aggies were outclassed by the Hogs. Arkansas ran wild and Tyler Rogers did not receive any help as he threw for over 300 yards for the fourth time this season. Rogers now has 14 touchdown passes and Doug Martin’s squad will need a big game from him this week as they make the cross-country trip to Boone.

5.) ULM Warhawks (2-2, beat Coastal Carolina 51-43)

Last Week: 6

ULM started the season 2-0 in Sun Belt play as they outlasted Coastal Carolina in a shootout at Malone Stadium. It was a total team effort by Matt Viator’s squad as they had two non-offensive touchdowns and forced three turnovers. ULM will have an excellent shot to get to 3-0 in Sun Belt play when they travel to Texas State this weekend.

6.) Idaho Vandals (2-2, Idle)

Last Week: 5

Idaho was at home this past weekend as they’ve had a long week to get ready for UL-Lafayette’s high scoring offense. The Vandals will need to have their best defensive performance of the season to get off to a 2-0 start in conference play.

7.) Texas State Bobcats (1-4, lost at Wyoming 45-10)

Last Week: 7

After two huge home games against Appalachian State and UTSA, a let down was expected for the Bobcats and it happened on Saturday in Laramie. Wyoming had three non-offensive touchdowns that made the final score look at lot worse, but the Bobcats return home this week to welcome in ULM.

8.) South Alabama Jaguars (1-4, lost at Louisiana Tech 34-16)

Last Week: 8

After hanging tough for three quarters, Louisiana Tech would outscore the Jags by 17 in the fourth to turn this one into a blowout. The squad continues to have offensive issues and there is a lot to work on before the road trip to Troy.

9.) Georgia State Panthers (1-2, Idle)

Last Week: 9

The Panthers had an unexpected bye week as Memphis had to cancel their game so they could play UCF due to Hurricane Irma. So here we are heading into week six and the Panthers have only played three games. GSU will be playing their Sun Belt opener on the road against Coastal Carolina this Saturday.

10.) UL-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns (1-3, Idle)

Last Week: 10

The Cajuns were also off this week and they had a lot to work on. Quarterback Jordan Davis is likely out again and they are going to need a solid performance from their defense to have a legit shot to beat Idaho in the Kibbie Dome.

11.) Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (1-3, lost at ULM 51-43)

Last Week: 11

Coastal played their best offensive game of the season against ULM but fell short because of untimely turnovers and special teams play. Now the Chants will return home and will have a great shot to pick up their first Sun Belt win when Georgia State rolls into Brooks Stadium.

12.) Georgia Southern Eagles (0-3, Idle)

Last Week: 12

Southern was off this past weekend as they get set to host Arkansas State this Wednesday. As they get into conference play, this option offense will need to take some huge strides if they hope to have a chance at any type of a decent season.