Sun Belt Travel Log 2017

Sun Belt football teams are scheduled to travel approximately 63,869 as a conference during the 2017 season. How was this number calculated? By doing a simple Google Maps search, using home stadiums as points of reference. The following map shows the locations of the home stadiums of all 12 Sun Belt teams during the 2017 season:

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Distance to be Traveled by Team

The frontrunner for distance to travel is Idaho, and it’s not even close. When Idaho plays at Troy on November 2nd it will be a journey of nearly 2,500 miles. That comes close to South Alabama’s travel distance for the entire season, despite the fact that both teams will have the same number of away games. Idaho will also more than double the travel distances for every team in the conference besides New Mexico State and Coastal Carolina.

Here are some accolades for the number of miles each team is set to travel:

Longest Distance for a Single Game: Coastal Carolina at Idaho, October 21st (2,742 miles)

Shortest Distance for a Single Game: South Alabama at Troy, October 11th (172 miles)

2,000+ Miles for a Single Game: Appalachian State, Idaho, UL Monroe, Troy, Louisiana-Lafayette, Coastal Carolina

Appalachian State: 5,794 Miles

Key features of the Mountaineers’ 2017 travel schedule:

• 6 Away Games: Georgia, Texas State, Idaho, UMass, UL Monroe, Georgia State
• Furthest Game: October 14th @ Idaho (Game 6)
• Longest Travel Month: September

Arkansas State: 3,571 Miles

Key features of the Red Wolves’ 2017 travel schedule:

• 6 Away Games: Nebraska, SMU, Georgia Southern, New Mexico State, South Alabama, UL Monroe
• Furthest Game: October 28th @ New Mexico State, Game 8
• Longest Travel Month: October

Coastal Carolina: 6,183 Miles

Key features of the Chanticleers’ 2017 travel schedule:

• 6 Away Games: UAB, UL Monroe, Arkansas State, Appalachian State, Arkansas, Idaho
• Furthest Game: October 18th @ Idaho, Game 11
• Longest Travel Month: November

Georgia Southern: 3,587 Miles

Key features of the Eagles’ 2017 travel schedule:

• 7 Away Games: Auburn, Indiana, UMass, Troy, Appalachian State, Ragin’ Cajuns, Coastal Carolina
• Furthest Game: October 21st @ UMass, Game 6
• Longest Travel Month: November

Georgia State: 3,027 Miles

Key features of the Panthers’ 2017 travel schedule:

• 6 Away Games: Penn State, Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, UL Monroe, Georgia South, Texas State
• Furthest Game: November 11th @ Texas State, Game 10
• Longest Travel Month: November

Idaho: 12,513 Miles

Key features of the Vandals’ 2017 travel schedule:

• 6 Away Games: Western Michigan, South Alabama, Mizzou, Troy, New Mexico State, Georgia State
• Furthest Game: November 2nd @ Troy, Game 9
• Longest Travel Month: October

New Mexico State: 6,482 Miles

Key features of the Aggies’ 2017 travel schedule:

• 7 Away Games: Arizona State, New Mexico, Arkansas, Appalachian State, Georgia Southern, Texas State, Ragin’ Cajuns
• Furthest Game: October 14th @ Georgia Southern, Game 7
• Longest Travel Month: October

UL Monroe: 4,522 Miles

Key features of the Warhawks’ 2017 travel schedule:

• 7 Away Games: Memphis, Florida State, Ragin’ Cajuns, Texas State, South Alabama, Idaho, Auburn
• Furthest Game: October 28th @ Idaho, Game 9
• Longest Travel Month: October
• South Alabama: 2,833 Miles

Key features of the Jaguars’ 2017 travel schedule:

• 6 Away Games: Ole Miss, Louisiana Tech, Troy, Georgia State, Georgia Southern, New Mexico State
• Furthest Game: December 2nd @ New Mexico State, Game 12
• Longest Travel Month: December

Texas State: 5,193 Miles

Key features of the Bobcats’ 2017 travel schedule:

• 6 Away Games: Colorado, Wyoming, Ragin’ Cajuns, Coastal Carolina, Arkansas State, Troy
• Furthest Game: October 28th @ Coastal Carolina, Game 8
• Longest Travel Month: September

Troy: 4,964 Miles

Key features of the Trojans’ 2017 travel schedule:

• 6 Away Games: Boise State, New Mexico State, LSU, Georgia State, Coastal Carolina, Arkansas State
• Furthest Game: September 2nd @ Boise State, Game 1
• Longest Travel Month: September

Ragin’ Cajuns: 5,200 Miles

Key features of the Ragin’ Cajuns’ 2017 travel schedule:

• 7 Away Games: Tulsa, Texas A&M, Idaho, Arkansas State, South Alabama, Ole Miss, Appalachian State
• Furthest Game: October 7th @ Idaho, Game 5
• Longest Travel Month: October

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Traveling can play a major role in a college football team’s performance, despite the fact that it does not show up in the stat sheet. From a comfort standpoint, it is far easier to play home games because players get to go through their normal routines in familiar surroundings.

There is also the advantage of not needing to transport equipment hundreds (or thousands) of miles away. These seemingly small things can add up on the days leading up to a game, and can easily wear on an athlete both physically and mentally.

With Idaho and New Mexico State exiting the Sun Belt after the season, just about each team will have a far more travel friendly schedule next year.