5 Questions: Sun Belt Week 4
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By Christian Goeckel
SouthernPigskin.com
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5 biggest questions for Week 4 in the Sun Belt
1. Can App State keep their miraculous start going?
The only blemish on the Mountaineers season thus far came from a couple of missed 2-point conversions against North Carolina. Outside of that, its been a dream start in Boone. Think what the past week was like: Upsetting then No. 6 Texas A&M on the road, finding out College GameDay was coming to your campus, experiencing GameDay, Hail Mary to beat Troy. Euphoria.
Now you get to the meat of your schedule. Any dream of being this years Cincinnati went out the window with the loss to North Carolina. With that said, a New Years Six bowl isnt out of the question if they can run the table. That starts with their first ever Sun Belt matchup against James Madison.
The Dukes made the jump to the FBS this year and promptly outscored their first two opponents 107-14. As ridiculous as it sounds, this will be the biggest test for the Mountaineers so far this season. If Texas A&M even had a modicum of an offense, App State would be (1-2) right now. The Dukes have an offense. Saturday at 3:30 in Boone should be appointment viewing.
2. How long will have to wait for Georgia States first win?
We knew Georgia State had one of the toughest starts to the season: at South Carolina, home against North Carolina, another road game at Army. All before diving into the heart of their Sun Belt schedule.
What most Panthers fans were counting on was a brief reprieve when they took on Charlotte in Week 3. That didnt go as planned. A failed PAT was the difference in the 42-41 loss. Now, youd have to go all the way to October 29ths matchup against Old Dominion to find a game the Panthers are favored in. This week they welcome in (3-0) Coastal Carolina for a Thursday showdown.
3. Will Troy or Marshall bounce back?
The Thundering Herd stunned the college football world when they handled Notre Dame in South Bend. Unfortunately they werent able to keep their road magic going when they fell to Bowling Green in overtime last Saturday. Marshall is one of the favorites to push App State in the Sun Belt East this year. Theyll get their first taste of Sun Belt play when they head to Troy this weekend.
The Trojans, of course, are trying to rebound from a heartbreaking loss at App State. Troy went blow for blow with the Mountaineers for 4 quarters, but an interesting decision to take a safety and a hail mary doomed their upset bid. Theyll have a chance to get things back on track against Marshall on Saturday at 7:00 PM ET on the NFL Network.
4. Can Louisiana match their longest win streak in The Battle on the Bayou?
The Battle on the Bayou, outside of being just an outstanding name for a rivalry, has been an extremely entertaining game. Four of the last five matchups between the schools have been one-score games. Louisiana is looking to make it 5 straight in the series. That would match the longest streak in the series (1969-79 & 2008-12).
Turnovers will be a big part of this years edition. The Ragin Cajuns have 8 intercepted passes through three games.
5. How many yards will Kyle Vantrease throw for?
Georgia Southern fans have to be thrilled to be 2-1. This week theyll get their first home game against an FBS opponent when they welcome in Ball State.
Ball State is currently giving up 265.7 yards through the air per game. The Eagles are averaging 326.7 passing yards per game. Id feel pretty safe assuming that Paulson Stadium is in for an aerial show on Saturday.
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