The fourth week of the college football season wasn’t kind to the Sun Belt. Last week I pointed out five important games for the Sun Belt in non-conference action on Saturday. The Belt went 2-3 in these games and should have gone 3-2. Houston at Texas State went as expected and Georgia Southern couldn’t stop Western Michigan, but UL-Lafayette had so many chances at Tulane. Despite the Green Wave going 0-16 on third down (0-1 on fourth down), the Cajuns didn’t make it count and fell 41-39 in four overtimes. Well get to the two wins later.

However, the eye-opener of the day was a non-conference game that didn’t come from that list and for good reason.

Arkansas State has hit rock bottom

Starting 0-3 wasn’t the worst thing ever. Sure it sucked, but the Red Wolves played three tough games in that time. The good news was supposed to be in the fourth game hosting FCS Central Arkansas.

Despite having more yards, more talent and more depth, turnovers kept the Bears in the game and two fourth-quarter touchdowns sealed the shock win for UCA.

Arkansas State finishes non-conference play 0-4 and at their worst point in years. Justice Hansen looked fine with 424 yards passing on 21 of 38, but his three touchdowns also came with two interceptions. In fact, three straight Red Wolf drives in the second half had a turnover.

A-State has 10 days before their next game as they host Georgia Southern on Wednesday, October 5th. For Blake Anderson, it might be time to shuffle things around because at this rate, they’ll need to go 6-2 in Sun Belt play just to make a bowl.

Idaho had the best Sun Belt win of the weekend

Granted, there weren’t many to choose from, but while App State’s win at Akron is impressive, the Mountaineers were 6-7 point favorites going in. Idaho, a two-touchdown underdog at UNLV, never trailed in a 33-30 overtime win.

Despite having 161 less yards and giving up 364 less yards, the Vandals got a crucial non-conference win in Sin City to get to 2-2 on the season. If Idaho is to make what could be their last ever bowl before going to FCS, all they need to do now is go 4-4 in Sun Belt play.

Next week might be rough hosting Troy (the Vandals won at Troy last season somehow), but with South Alabama, ULM, New Mexico State, Texas State, Georgia State and UL-Lafayette all possible wins, finding four wins in that group isn’t that far-fetched as long as Matt Lineham stays healthy.

South Alabama peaked in the first week

While the Jaguars are 2-2, the trajectory of this team has been going down since the opening weekend. On Saturday, despite having over twice the yardage (510 to 230), FCS Nicholls State hung around due to Jag turnovers and damn-near won. USA needed a touchdown with 16 seconds left to force overtime and in overtime, the Colonels went for two after their possession and it fell incomplete to give South Alabama a 41-40 victory.

Dallas Davis went 24 of 50 for 302 yards, a touchdown and four interceptions for the Jags, which isn’t good. Next week has #22 San Diego State in Mobile. After the Jaguars upset the Aztecs on the west coast last season, you can be sure SDSU will be mad. The following game on Saturday, October 15th at Arkansas State could be a must-win for either team.