Sun Belt Power Rankings: Week 12

Not sure where to even begin.

After another huge upset by South Alabama it’s time to reshuffle the rankings as we will enter the last three weeks of the regular season with four teams having only one conference loss.

The Sun Belt title race is wide open and we should have a fantastic close to the season. Here is how we see everyone going into the third Saturday in November.

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1.) Troy Trojans (8-2, won at Coastal Carolina 42-17)

Last Week: 2

The Trojans hit the road and picked up a win in Conway in the first ever meeting with Coastal Carolina. The highlight of the day came from freshman corner Marcus Jones who took the first two kickoffs back for six. The defense continues to be very good as they forced two turnovers and held the Chants to 258 total yards. Troy will be off this week before hosting Texas State on senior day.

2.) Arkansas State Red Wolves (5-3, lost at South Alabama 24-19)

Last Week: 1

For the second year in a row, Blake Anderson’s program entered November undefeated in conference play and then would go on the road and suffer an upset. This time, the Red Wolves coughed up the football six times as they fell to South Alabama in Mobile. Arkansas State’s pass defense was lit up by Cole Garvin while Justice Hansen threw four interceptions. It was just a very bad day for the Red Wolves as they blew a chance at another undefeated conference season.

3.) New Mexico State Aggies (4-5, Idle)

Last Week: 3

The Aggies had a much needed week off as they’ll enter the final three weeks of the season needing two victories to reach bowl eligibility. This weekend the Aggies will be a road favorite over UL-Lafayette before returning home to close the season against Idaho and South Alabama. Get it done, Aggies!

4.) Georgia State Panthers (6-3, won at Texas State 33-30)

Last Week: 4

Georgia State picked up their fifth road victory off the season on Saturday as they knocked off Texas State. The Panthers finished the year undefeated in conference road games as they’ve won three by one possession. This week the Panthers outlasted the Bobcats in a shootout behind Conner Manning’s 368 passing yards. The Panthers will be off this week before hosting Appalachian State in the biggest game in program history.

5.) Appalachian State Mountaineers (6-4, beat Georgia Southern 27-6)

Last Week: 5

The Mountaineers halted their losing skid on Thursday night as they dominated Georgia Southern. App State got back to their identity as the ran for 256 yards and their defense held Georgia Southern out of the end zone. The Mountaineers have this weekend off before traveling to Atlanta for a game against Georgia State with conference title implications.

6.) South Alabama Jaguars (4-6, beat Arkansas State 24-19)

Last Week: 9

The Jags pulled off their second upset of the year as a double-digit underdog as they knocked off the Red Wolves on Saturday afternoon. Cole Garvin played the best game of his college career as he tossed for over 300 yards while the defense forced six turnovers. It was a total team effort for the Jags and with remaining games with Georgia Southern and New Mexico State, bowl eligibility is now a real possibility.

7.) ULM Warhawks (4-5, Idle)

Last Week: 6

The Warhawks were home this past weekend resting up as they get set to make the road trip to Auburn this weekend. As expected, it’s going to be a long day for the defense but it should be very interesting to see what this offense can accomplish against a really good Auburn defense. The Warhawks will be double-digit underdogs in each of their final three games and it’s looking like consecutive 4-8 seasons for Matt Viator.

8.) UL-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns (4-5, lost at Ole Miss 50-22)

Last Week: 7

The UL-Lafayette defense gave up over 40 points for the sixth time this season in the blowout loss to the Rebels. The Cajuns again shuffled quarterbacks as freshman Levi Lewis struggled against this SEC defense. With Trey Ragas missing the game due to suspension, the ground game just was not there. The Cajuns need two more wins to reach bowl eligibility and they now host New Mexico State and Georgia Southern in consecutive weeks.

9.) Idaho Vandals (3-6, Idle)

Last Week: 8

After the close loss to Troy, the Vandals had this week off as they attempt to get quarterback Matt Linehan healthy. The senior is currently listed as questionable for the final home game in the Kibbie Dome as an FBS member this Saturday. The Vandals need to win out to reach a bowl games in consecutive games, but that’s achievable. The Vandals close the season with Coastal Carolina, New Mexico State, and Georgia State.

10. Texas State Bobcats (2-8, lost to Georgia State 33-30)

Last Week: 10

The Bobcats continue to show growth on offense as they put up 30 points and Damian Williams threw for 315 yards. However, the defense just could not get a big stop as they were outlasted by Georgia State. With remaining road games against Arkansas State and Troy, it’s looking like consecutive 2-10 seasons in San Marcos.

11.) Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (1-9, lost to Troy 42-17)

Last Week: 11

The Chants suffered another home blowout on Saturday as they were crushed by Troy. Coastal gave up two special teams touchdowns and only managed 258 total yards on offense. There is some hope left in the season as the Chants will have a great chance to pick up their first ever Sun Belt win as they play Idaho and Georgia Southern to close the year.

12.) Georgia Southern Eagles (0-9, lost at Appalachian State 27-6)

Last Week: 12

The year from hell continues in Statesboro as the Eagles were smothered in Boone. After some progress, the offense really could not get anything going on Thursday night as their winless season continues. The end of the season cannot come soon enough for this program.