Sun Belt Power Poll – The Sharps Money Making Conference

The Sun Belt may be a step behind a lot of others conferences in America in terms of talent, but the oddsmakers don’t always get their spreads right. Before the ’09 college football betting season kicks off, check out how BetOnline Sportsbook stacks up the teams in the division…

1: Florida International Golden Panthers (8-4 ATS, 5-7 SU in 2008) HC Mario Cristobal is starting to achieve a level of respectability for his fledgling FBS program. The Golden Panthers stood toe-to-toe with South Florida, Troy, and Florida Atlantic last season, but there is still a ways to go for the program to compete for a Sun Belt championship. A .500 season seems like a possibility, and would be a huge accomplishment for FIU.

Up Next: Away @ Alabama

2: Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns (8-4 ATS, 6-6 SU in 2008) The Ragin’ Cajuns had a heck of a rushing attack last season, as they averaged a whopping 264.3 yards on the ground per game. That was the seventh best mark in the country. ULL ranked 13th in total offense at 450.7 yards per game. With similar production, BCS schools Kansas State, LSU, and Nebraska should be on alert for a tremendous upset. Regardless, the Cajuns should be in the discussion for the Sun Belt title and a bowl bid this year.

Up Next: Home vs. Southern

3: Florida Atlantic Owls (8-5 ATS, 7-6 SU in 2008) Last season marked the second straight year which the Owls posted a bowl victory. FAU started the year a dismal 1-5 SU, but closed out the season with a 4-1 record SU and ATS including its Motor City Bowl win over Central Michigan. The offense was solid last year, averaging 393.8 yards per game (42nd in the nation), and things should be even better with QB Rusty Smith back for his fourth year as the starting signal caller. Smith has thrown for 56 touchdowns against just 22 picks in his L/2 seasons.

Up Next: Away @ Nebraska

4: Troy Trojans (7-5 ATS, 8-5 SU in 2008) The men of Troy got back on top of the Sun Belt last season, and look primed for another nice run in ’09. The non-conference schedule sets up favorably, even though September 12th’s game in the Swamp is virtually impossible to win. Now that the Sun Belt has two bowl tie-ins, even if someone does find a way to swipe the conference crown from the Trojans, a December bowl game should still be in the cards.

Up Next: Away @ Bowling Green

5: Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks (6-5 ATS, 4-8 SU in 2008) The Warhawks have now had at least one landmark victory in each of the L/2 seasons, as they won at Alabama two years ago and beat Troy last season. The odds for another signature win this year are slim, particularly as 41-point underdogs against QB Colt McCoy and the Longhorns this weekend.

Up Next: Away @ Texas

And the rest…

6: Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders (5-7 ATS, 5-7 SU in 2008)

7: North Texas Mean Green (4-8 ATS, 1-11 SU in 2008)

8: Arkansas State Red Wolves (3-8 ATS, 6-6 SU in 2008)