The Sun Belt enters the 2019 season with a clear division between the contenders and the rest of the league. In Athlon’s 2019 Sun Belt predictions – Appalachian State, Arkansas State, Louisiana, Troy and Georgia Southern – are a step ahead of the rest of the league. All five teams are projected to reach bowl eligibility.

In the East, a tight battle is projected between Appalachian State and Troy. The Mountaineers claimed the Sun Belt title last season and are Athlon’s pick to win it in 2019. New coach Eli Drinkwitz inherits the league’s top quarterback (Zac Thomas), a deep group of running backs and one of the Sun Belt’s best offensive lines. New defensive play-caller Ted Roof has a few holes to fill up front and at cornerback, but Appalachian State’s defense shouldn’t fall too far from last year’s performance. The Mountaineers have to play at Louisiana but miss Arkansas State in crossover play and catch Georgia Southern at home. The Nov. 29 showdown at Troy is likely to decide the East title. Similar to Drinkwitz, new coach Chip Lindsey is stepping into a favorable situation at Troy. The Trojans return 12 starters, including running back B.J. Smith and linebacker Carlton Martial. Kaleb Barker is entrenched as the starter after Sawyer Smith left as a transfer following spring practice.

Georgia Southern was the Sun Belt’s biggest surprise and one of the nation’s most improved teams last fall. In coach Chad Lunsford’s first year, the Eagles went 10-3 and defeated Sun Belt champ Appalachian State 34-14 in late October. Lunsford’s team brings back 12 starters and enough of a foundation to contend for the league title. However, the Eagles are likely to regress in turnover margin (plus-22 last year) and have to navigate a tough schedule.

Georgia State regressed from 7-5 in coach Shawn Elliott’s debut to 2-10 last fall. The Panthers played a handful of young players, so some improvement is expected in 2019. Standout receiver Penny Hart must be replaced, but quarterback Dan Ellington should help this offense take a step forward on the stat sheet. Jamey Chadwell is a solid hire for Coastal Carolina, and 12 starters are back from a team that went 5-7 in 2018. The Chanticleers must get better against the run and find stability at quarterback to challenge for a bowl.

Similar to the East Division, the West features a close battle at the top. Louisiana – the reigning West division champs – will be pushed by Arkansas State again for a trip to the conference title game. The Ragin’ Cajuns are trending up under coach Billy Napier, led by a standout ground game and line to anchor an offense that averaged 31.9 points a game in 2018. Napier’s team needs to improve on defense and get Levi Lewis or Jai’ave Magalei settled into the starting quarterback job. The Ragin’ Cajuns host Troy and Appalachian State but have to play in Jonesboro on Oct. 17 – a game that’s likely to decide the West Division.

The homefield advantage in the Louisiana-Arkansas State game was the deciding factor in Athlon’s West Division picks. The Red Wolves have to replace All-Sun Belt quarterback Justice Hansen, but a strong supporting cast will help new starter Logan Bonner ease into the lineup. Arkansas State’s defense should rank near the top of the Sun Belt, especially with the league’s top line in place.

ULM has made progress under coach Matt Viator, and the return of quarterback Caleb Evans should allow this team to push for six wins. An experienced roster could help new coach Jake Spavital get off to a fast start at Texas State. Junior college transfer (and former Montana starter) Gresch Jensen will help right away at quarterback. South Alabama is in rebuild mode under coach Steve Campbell. The Jaguars return only nine starters and enter 2019 with uncertainty at quarterback.

Sun Belt 2019 Unit Rankings

Best RB Units Best WR Units Best OL Units Best DL Units Best LB Units Best DB Units 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 4. 4. 4. 4. 4. 4. 5. 5. 5. 5. 5. 5. 6. 6. 6. 6. 6. 6.

Sun Belt Football 2019 Predictions

East Division Rank Projected Sun Belt Record Projected Overall Record 1 Appalachian State 6-2 9-4 2 Troy 6-2 8-4 3 Georgia Southern 5-3 7-5 4 Georgia State 2-6 3-9 5 Coastal Carolina 1-7 3-9 West Division Rank Projected Sun Belt Record Projected Overall Record 1 Arkansas State 6-2 8-5 2 Louisiana 5-3 7-5 3 ULM 4-4 5-7 4 Texas State 3-5 4-8 5 South Alabama 2-6 3-9 Sun Belt Championship Appalachian State over Arkansas State SUN BELT 2019 SUPERLATIVES AND SEASON PREDICTIONS Offensive POY Pick by Steven Lassan: Zac Thomas, QB, Appalachian State Pick by Mitch Light: Zac Thomas, QB, Appalachian State Pick by Mark Ross: Zac Thomas, QB, Appalachian State Defensive POY Pick by Steven Lassan: Kindle Vildor, CB, Georgia Southern Pick by Mitch Light: Kindle Vildor, CB, Georgia Southern Pick by Mark Ross: William Bradley-King, DL, Arkansas State Coach of the Year Pick by Steven Lassan: Eli Drinkwitz, Appalachian State Pick by Mitch Light: Chip Lindsey, Troy Pick by Mark Ross: Eli Drinkwitz, Appalachian State Top Freshman Pick by Steven Lassan: Kendall Wilkerson, DL, Louisiana Pick by Mitch Light: Sam Pinckney, WR, Georgia State Pick by Mark Ross: Kendall Wilkerson, DL, Louisiana Top Newcomer Pick by Steven Lassan: Gresch Jensen, QB, Texas State Pick by Mitch Light: Khalil McClain, WR, Troy Pick by Mark Ross: Gresch Jensen, QB, Texas State Sleeper Team Pick by Steven Lassan: ULM Pick by Mitch Light: ULM Pick by Mark Ross: ULM Key Position to Watch Pick by Steven Lassan: Arkansas State QB Pick by Mitch Light: Troy WR Pick by Mark Ross: Arkansas State QB Best Coordinator Hire Pick by Steven Lassan: Bob Stitt, OC, Texas State Pick by Mitch Light: Bob Stitt, OC, Texas State Pick by Mark Ross: Ted Roof, DC, Appalachian State Hardest Team to Evaluate Pick by Steven Lassan: Troy Pick by Mitch Light: Troy Pick by Mark Ross: Coastal Carolina Coach on the Rise Pick by Steven Lassan: Billy Napier, HC, Louisiana Pick by Mitch Light: Billy Napier, HC, Louisiana Pick by Mark Ross: Blake Anderson, HC, Arkansas State Must-See Game Pick by Steven Lassan: Appalachian State at Troy Pick by Mitch Light: Appalachian State at Troy Pick by Mark Ross: Louisiana at Arkansas State Breakout Player Pick by Steven Lassan: Chauncey Manac, LB, Louisiana Pick by Mitch Light: Logan Bonner, QB, Arkansas State Pick by Mark Ross: William Bradley-King, DL, Arkansas State Comeback Player Pick by Steven Lassan: Dahu Green, WR, Arkansas State Pick by Mitch Light: Xavier Brown, WR, ULM Pick by Mark Ross: Joe Dillon, LB, Louisiana

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(Photo of Zac Thomas courtesy of Appalachian State Athletics)