Fun Belt Pick ‘Em: Week 4

Last Week

Aikman: 4-1

Josh: 3-2

Standings

Aikman: 11-4

Josh: 9-6

FCS schools this week vs. Sun Belt: 0-2 (take that!)

Clunk.

That was the sound of the Sun Belt falling back to Earth last week with a 2-6 showing, including 0-6 vs. other FBS schools.

Sigh.

However, let’s rejoice as late-to-mid-September brings us our first official Sun Belt Conference contest and a slate of matchups to watch.

Aikman increases his lead to two games. Time for a Josh/Sun Belt comeback.

ULM at Iowa State (Saturday at 12 p.m. EST)

Josh: Iowa St. 34, ULM 26- Caleb Evans will keep them close, but the Cyclones’ defense proves to be just a bit too much to withstand in the fourth quarter.

Aikman: ISU 30, ULM 24- ULM will again show they are not an easy out, but Brock Purdy will throw a “Purdy” pass late for the win.

Louisiana at Ohio (Saturday at 2 p.m. EST)

Josh: Louisiana 30, Ohio 24- The running game is excellent, but let’s spread some love to quarterback Levi Lewis. The QB will be efficient and keep the Bobcats off balance.

Aikman: UL 35, Ohio 20- Levi Lewis is a leader and this running game is a triple-headed monster. Cajuns are to spicy for the Bobcats.

Troy at Akron (Saturday at 3 p.m. EST)

Josh: Troy 31, Akron 18- BJ Smith is officially done for the year, which is bad news for the Trojan offense. The good news? Last week’s 500-plus-yard performance from Kaleb Barker means the offense has plenty of fuel to burn.

Aikman: Troy 42, Akron 14- Kaleb Barker is good enough to throw his way to a Trojans victory even without BJ Smith against a less-than-average Akron team.

Appalachian State at UNC (Saturday at 3:30 p.m. EST)

Josh: Appalachian State 27, UNC 24- Everyone wants to point to the offensive dynamics, but give me a stellar defensive outing by a rested and ready Mountaineer unit that will come through.

Aikman: UNC 29, App State 24- As much as I would love to see my Mountaineers pull out this victory, the Ted Roof-coached defense has me worried. App State keeps it close but I am afraid the D will allow Howell to make 1 or 2 big plays late.

Georgia State at Texas State (Saturday at 7 p.m. EST)

Josh: Texas State 20, Georgia State 19- Happy Conference Kickoff everyone! The Bobcats defense shows up yet again and holds off Dan Ellington and Company to move directly into first place in the division...for now.

Aikman: GSU 31, TX St 17- Texas State can’t win close game. They always fade in the second half and until they put it together I will pick against the Bobcats.