2013 Sun Belt Football Predictions – Odds to Win Sun Belt Conference Championship 2013

2013 Sun Belt Football Predictions – Odds to Win Sun Belt Conference Championship 2013: The Sun Belt Conference certainly isn’t a powerhouse when it comes to college football, and if you aren’t familiar with the layout already, now is a tough time to figure things. Four teams that were members of the conference last year are gone, and Georgia State and Texas State have been added to create an eight-team league this year. Meanwhile, Western Kentucky will leave following this season, but three more teams are slated to come aboard. In other words, the Sun Belt was a 10-team league in 2012, it will be an eight-team league this year, and it is scheduled to be a 10-team league again in 2014. In the meantime, the defending conference champs are back in the mix this year, along with two the three teams that finished just a game back. Another competitive battle for the Sun Belt title could be on tap, and here is a look at how the top contenders stack up heading into the 2013 season.

The Favorites

The defending conference champion Arkansas State Red Wolves are coming off a year when they had the Sun Belt’s top scoring attack and stingiest scoring defense. The bad news is that quarterback Ryan Appling is gone after four great years and back-to-back Sun Belt Player of the Year Awards. While Appling will no doubt be missed, 1,000-yard rusher David Oku is back along with four starters on the offensive line. The Red Wolves’ stout defense also returns several key contributors, and a strong ground game and defense should have Arkansas State in the thick of the conference title hunt.

A year after being finishing in a three-way tie for second in the conference, the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks could have the pieces in place for a title run in 2013. For one, eight starters are back for an offense that ranked second in the Sun Belt in scoring last year, including dual-threat QB Kolton Browning and four veteran offensive linemen. Meanwhile, seven starters are back on defense, and while the unit struggled at times last year, having the entire secondary return intact should help the cause. Getting the defending conference champs at home won’t hurt either.

The Dark Horse

Led by one of the most exciting players in the conference, the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns have a chance to build on a successful 2012 campaign that saw them finish with the second-best record in the Sun Belt. Quarterback Terrance Broadway can beat defenses with both his and his legs, and he and running back Alonzo Harris form the conference’s most dynamic rushing attack. A rebuilt secondary is a cause for concern, but the Ragin’ Cajuns have one of the most experienced and talented defensive lines in the conference to rely on. If Louisiana-Lafayette’s defense can holds its own, the offense can take care of the rest. Broadway in particular is a difference maker that can make the type of special plays that win close games.

The Sleeper

They came out on the wrong end of a lot of close games last year, but the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers could go out on top in their last season as members of the Sun Belt. Running back Antonio Andrews will play a huge role in whether or not that happens, but after rushing for more than 1,700 yards and nearly breaking Barry Sanders’ single-season record for all-purpose yards, the offense is in good hands. The defense should be stout, as well. Western Kentucky allowed the second-fewest points in the Sun Belt last year, and while the entire defensive line has to be replaced, the Hilltoppers entire back seven returns intact. Another special season from Andrews and strong effort on defense should give Western Kentucky a shot at a conference title.

2013 NCAA Conference Odds – CUSA

Odds to win Sun Belt Conference – 2013 College Football

Sun Belt Champion
Louisiana-Lafayette +220
Arkansas State +230
Louisiana-Monroe +275
Western Kentucky +500
Troy +700
Texas State +2500
South Alabama +6000
Georgia State +20000

NSAwins.com is America’s premier sports betting website for 2013 College Football Expert Picks and College Football Betting Odds and Lines.