Sun Belt picks week 1
August 29, 2007
Figured I’d better get around to this since the first game is Thursday night.
Thursday
Tulsa@UL-Monroe, 6 p.m. (ESPN2): The Warhawks want to make a statement on ESPN2 tonight. With a ULM win, it would be the second straight Sun Belt win over Todd Graham, the new Tulsa head coach. Troy waxed his Rice Owls last year in the New Orleans Bowl. Paul Smith is a good senior leader and usually those take over. I wish I could see the game, and ULM has a great chance, but....Tulsa 30, ULM 27
Saturday
Florida International at Penn State, 11 a.m. (Big 10 Network): Unfortunately, the woes keep going for FIU. At least early on. Penn State 42, FIU 7
Middle Tennessee at Florida Atlantic, 3 p.m. I’ve said all along FAU is my surprise team in the Sun Belt and MTSU will finish in the middle of the pack. Now is the time for the Owls to make a statement. FAU 21, MTSU 17
North Texas at Oklahoma, 6 p.m. (FSN): Sooners have a redshirt freshman quarterback, but should pound their way to a relatively easy win, but won’t cover. Oklahoma 38, North Texas 7
Arkansas State at Texas, 6 p.m.: ASU should put up a fight because they have a good defense. Texas will win, but won’t cover. Texas 35, ASU 10
UL-Lafayette at South Carolina, 6 p.m.: Gamecocks start a redshirt freshman quarterback. Cajuns keep it close. South Carolina 24, ULL 17
finally…
Troy at Arkansas, 6 p.m.: I like Troy’s team a lot and Arkansas is an unknown. If Troy can move the ball on the ground and protect, they can score some points. Usually in games like this, enough intangibles happen for the home team to escape with a win. Not impossible for Troy to go in there and win, but....Arkansas 24, Troy 20.
