August 10th Power Ratings:
Rank |
Team |
Power Rating |
1 |
Appalachian State |
70.55 |
2 |
Troy |
65.52 |
3 |
Arkansas State |
65.09 |
4 |
UL-Lafayette |
58.03 |
5 |
Georgia Southern |
56.32 |
6 |
South Alabama |
56.06 |
7 |
New Mexico State |
55.66 |
8 |
Idaho |
55.32 |
9 |
Georgia State |
55.08 |
10 |
UL-Monroe |
54.39 |
11 |
Coastal Carolina |
52.88 |
12 |
Texas State |
48.14 |
Individual Team Previews
- Appalachian State (Current Power Rating: 70.55)
In head coach Scott Satterfield’s first 18 games here, Appalachian State was just 5-13 and had lost 8 games in a season for the first time since 1979. The light bulb came on at the end of the 2014 season and the Mountaineers have not looked back going 27-5 with three of those losses coming to Clemson, Tennessee and Miami (FL).
This year’s team welcomes back 14 starters from a 10-win team led by QB Taylor Lamb who enters his 4th season as the starter (3rd in career passing yards here). The Mountaineers do lose their all-time leading rusher in Marcus Cox (5,103 career yards) but remarkably it was Jalin Moore who led the team in rushing a year ago with 1,402 yards. They do bring back their top receiver in Shaedon Meadors (716 yards) and also have 96 career starts back on the offensive line.
The defense allowed only 17.8 ppg a year ago (No. 9 in country) and this year bring back 4 of their top 6 tacklers led by LB Eric Boggs (98 tackles last year). They also welcome back 1st-team All-SBC CB Clifton Duck who had 5 interceptions a year ago.
2017 Schedule With Projected Lines
Date
|
Opponent
|
Line
|
9/2
|
at Georgia
|
+17
|
9/9
|
Savannah St
|
-56
|
9/16
|
at Texas St
|
-20
|
9/23
|
Wake Forest
|
-1
|
9/30
|
Bye
|
|
10/7
|
New Mexico St
|
-18
|
10/14
|
at Idaho
|
-12
|
10/21
|
Coastal Carolina
|
-21
|
10/28
|
at Massachusetts
|
-12
|
11/4
|
at ULM
|
-13
|
11/9
|
Georgia Southern
|
-17
|
11/18
|
Bye
|
|
11/25
|
at Georgia St
|
-13
|
12/2
|
UL-Lafayette
|
-16
|
Appalachian State has a dream conference schedule as they avoid both Troy and Arkansas State (the other top 2 teams in the SBC) and host both UL-Lafayette and Georgia Southern. The Mountaineers figure to be a double-digit favorite in all of their conference games and could be favored in as many as 11 games overall (only clear underdog role will be at Georgia in the opener).
Brad Powers’ Prediction: 10-2 (Best Bet: OVER 9.5 current season win total, you can also find 9 available with heavy juice at Bookmaker).
- Troy (Current Power Rating: 65.52)
Coming off 5 straight non-winning seasons, last year Troy looked poised to get back to their first bowl since 2010 and easily delivered. At 8-1, they became the first ever Sun Belt team to be ranked in the AP poll, but they would lose 2 of their last 3 games in the regular season. The Trojans did get to 10 wins with a victory over Ohio in the bowl game.
This year’s team brings back 14 starters led by 3-year starting QB Brandon Silvers who threw for 3,180 yards last year (23-12 TD-to-INT ratio). The Trojans also return RB Jordan Chunn who ran for 1,288 yards with 16 TD’s in 2016 and also welcome back their top 7 receivers. The biggest question comes on the offensive line as they must replace 3rd-round draft choice Antonio Garcia at left tackle and lose a combined 83 career starts.
The defense is far less experienced as they lose 5 of their top 7 tacklers. The LB corps is the least experienced unit losing 5 of their top 6, but they do bring back three starters from a very good secondary that had a combined 22 interceptions in 2016.
2017 Schedule With Projected Lines
Date
|
Opponent
|
Line
|
9/2
|
at Boise St
|
+14
|
9/9
|
Alabama St
|
-45
|
9/16
|
at New Mexico St
|
-7
|
9/23
|
Akron
|
-11
|
9/30
|
at LSU
|
+30
|
10/7
|
Bye
|
|
10/14
|
South Alabama
|
-12
|
10/21
|
at Georgia St
|
-8
|
10/28
|
Georgia Southern
|
-12
|
11/2
|
Idaho
|
-13
|
11/11
|
at Coastal Carolina
|
-10
|
11/18
|
Bye
|
|
11/25
|
Texas St
|
-20
|
12/2
|
at Arkansas St
|
+4
|
Outside of a couple of tough non-conference games at Boise State and LSU, Troy has a manageable schedule in 2017. They avoid Appalachian State and UL-Lafayette in conference play and get bowl caliber teams like South Alabama, Georgia Southern and Idaho at home. They must travel to Arkansas State in the finale but overall, I have them favored in 9 games (all by 7 or more and 6 by double-digits) and that’s where I’ll project them to finish.
Brad Powers’ Prediction: 9-3 (Lean: OVER 8.5 current season win total).
- Arkansas State (Current Power Rating: 65.09)
Arkansas State has been the dominant program in the Sun Belt since 2011 going 40-7 with 5 titles. Last year did not get off to a good start as the Red Wolves were 0-4 in non-conference action, but would win 8 of their final 9 games capped off by an impressive upset over UCF in the bowl game.
This year’s team returns only returns 10 starters but one of them is QB Justice Hansen who started the last 10 games in 2016 and threw for 2,719 yards with a 19-to-8 TD-to-INT ratio. The Red Wolves also see the return of their leading rusher in Warren Wand (879 yards) and their leading receiver Blake Mack (652 yards). The biggest concern on the entire team is the offensive line, which loses all 5 starters who combined for 172 career starts (only 2 career starts returning).
The defense loses 6 of their top 9 tackles from 2016 including their leader in Xavier Woodson-Luster (95 tackles). However, they do bring back 1st-team All-Sun Belt DE Ja’Von Rolland Jones (13.5 sacks) and former Alabama DT Dee Liner (8.5 TFL’s here last year). They do lose 3 starters in the secondary.
2017 Schedule With Projected Lines
Date
|
Opponent
|
Line
|
9/2
|
at Nebraska
|
+16
|
9/9
|
Miami, Fl
|
+16
|
9/16
|
Arkansas-Pine Bluff
|
-56
|
9/23
|
at SMU
|
+2
|
9/30
|
Bye
|
|
10/4
|
at Georgia Southern
|
-5
|
10/14
|
Coastal Carolina
|
-16
|
10/19
|
UL-Lafayette
|
-11
|
10/28
|
at New Mexico St
|
-7
|
11/4
|
Bye
|
|
11/11
|
at South Alabama
|
-6
|
11/18
|
Texas St
|
-21
|
11/25
|
at ULM
|
-8
|
12/2
|
Troy
|
-4
|
As you can see that outside of their first two games against Nebraska and Miami (FL), Arkansas St has a favorable schedule this year. They avoid the league’s best team in Appalachian State and get the other Sun Belt contender in Troy at home in the finale. Currently, I have them favored in 9 of their 12 games and one of their underdog roles is by only 2 points. The Red Wolves will once again be a force in the conference.
Brad Powers’ Prediction: 8-4 (Best Bet: OVER 7 season win total).
- UL-Lafayette (Current Power Rating: 58.03)
UL-Lafayette had been a model of consistency under head coach Mark Hudspeth going 9-4 in each of his first four seasons here capped off by winning the New Orleans Bowl each year. However, the Ragin’ Cajuns have had back-to-back losing seasons including going 6-7 last year (lost New Orleans Bowl).
This year’s team will have to replace several key contributors including QB Anthony Jennings (2,178 passing yards but just a 11-13 TD-to-INT ratio) and the school’s all-time career leader in TD’s and all-purpose yards in RB Elijah McGuire. The Cajuns also lose their top receiver from last year in Al Riles (729 yards). On the positive side, they have 70 career starts back on the OL.
The defense also has to replace their top two tacklers in LB’s Tre’maine Lightfoot (101 tackles) and 1st-team All-Sun Belt Otha Peters (94 tackles, 11 TFL’s). They do bring back 6 of their top 8 DL and also return all 4 starters in the secondary.
2017 Schedule With Projected Lines
Date
|
Opponent
|
Line
|
9/2
|
SE Louisiana
|
-14
|
9/9
|
at Tulsa
|
+16
|
9/16
|
at Texas A&M
|
+28
|
9/23
|
ULM
|
-7
|
9/30
|
Bye
|
|
10/7
|
at Idaho
|
PK
|
10/12
|
Texas St
|
-13
|
10/19
|
at Arkansas St
|
+11
|
10/28
|
Bye
|
|
11/4
|
at South Alabama
|
+1
|
11/11
|
at Ole Miss
|
+25
|
11/18
|
New Mexico St
|
-6
|
11/25
|
Georgia Southern
|
-5
|
12/2
|
at Appalachian St
|
+16
|
The Cajuns have a difficult slate with 7 road games and they will be a double-digit underdog in 5 of them. Currently, I have UL-Lafayette favored in 5 games with another listed at “pick-em”. There are six teams in the middle of the Sun Belt that could see their season go either way depending on how they perform in close games. ULL is one of those teams, but because of their lack of experience, I will be conservative and call for another losing season.
Brad Powers’ Prediction: 5-7 (push current season win total).
- Georgia Southern (Current Power Rating: 56.32)
Georgia Southern’s transition to the FBS couldn’t have gone more smoothly going 18-7 in 2014-15 under then head coach Willie Fritz. However, last year they had a new coach in Tyson Summers and the Eagles would have their worst season in a decade going 5-7.
This year’s team is lightly experienced with only 10 returning starters. The offense loses two long-time QB’s in Kevin Ellison and Favian Upshaw and they also lose RB Matt Breida who was a 2-time 1st-team All-Sun Belt selection. The WR position also loses their top guy in BJ Johnson. The positive is that the OL is the most experienced they’ve had in 3 years (65 career starts).
On defense, the Eagles lose a pair of really good LB’s in 5th-round draft choice Ukwme Eligwe (104 tackles, 9.5 TFL’s) and 1st-team All-Sun Belt Ironhead Gallon (102 tackles). The positive is that last year they had the youngest secondary in the Sun Belt and this year are far more experienced with three returning starters.
2017 Schedule With Projected Lines
Date
|
Opponent
|
Line
|
9/2
|
at Auburn
|
+38
|
9/9
|
New Hampshire
|
-7
|
9/16
|
Bye
|
|
9/23
|
at Indiana
|
+20
|
9/30
|
Bye
|
|
10/7
|
Arkansas St
|
+5
|
10/14
|
New Mexico St
|
-5
|
10/21
|
at Massachusetts
|
+2
|
10/28
|
at Troy
|
+12
|
11/4
|
Georgia St
|
-5
|
11/9
|
at Appalachian St
|
+17
|
11/18
|
South Alabama
|
-4
|
11/25
|
at UL-Lafayette
|
+5
|
12/2
|
at Coastal Carolina
|
-1
|
Off a rare losing season, I thought I would be “buying” Georgia Southern this year, but the lack of experience at key positions and a rather difficult schedule (7 road games and play the Top 3 teams in the Sun Belt) have me calling for a second straight losing season. Currently, I only have them favored in 5 games, but 8 of their 12 games are lined at a TD or less so there is opportunity to get back to a bowl game.
Brad Powers’ Prediction: 5-7 (push current season win total).
- South Alabama (Current Power Rating: 56.06)
South Alabama has consistently been inconsistent the last 4 years. While they have won 5 or 6 games in each season, they have been notorious for pulling big upsets only to follow it up with disappointing losses. Last year’s team was no exception beating Mississippi State as a 4-TD underdog while also beating Mountain West power San Diego State for a second year in a row. Still, they lost to 3 teams with a losing record.
This year’s team only welcomes back 11 starters but does return QB Dallas Davis who threw for 2,706 pass yards last year (only a 11-to-12 TD-to-INT ratio). They also return their leading rusher in Xavier Johnson (831 rush yards). They have 4 OL with starting experience, but the biggest question comes at receiver as they lose their top 4 including TE Gerald Everett who was a 2nd-round draft choice.
The defense trimmed 10 ppg off their average from 2015 (went from allowing 37.3 ppg to 27.0 ppg) and this year’s unit return 6 starters including their leading tackler in MLB Darrell Songy (100 tackles last year). They also bring back 6 of their top 8 DL and 4 players in the secondary that earned at least 5 starts in 2016.
2017 Schedule With Projected Lines
Date
|
Opponent
|
Line
|
9/2
|
at Ole Miss
|
+27
|
9/8
|
Oklahoma St
|
+26
|
9/16
|
Alabama A&M
|
-35
|
9/23
|
Idaho
|
-4
|
9/30
|
at Louisiana Tech
|
+14
|
10/7
|
Bye
|
|
10/11
|
at Troy
|
+12
|
10/21
|
ULM
|
-5
|
10/26
|
at Georgia St
|
+1
|
11/4
|
UL-Lafayette
|
-1
|
11/11
|
Arkansas St
|
+6
|
11/18
|
at Georgia Southern
|
+4
|
11/25
|
Bye
|
|
12/2
|
at New Mexico St
|
+2
|
Like most middle of the road Sun Belt teams this year, South Alabama’s season could go either way depending upon how they fare in several close games. I have 7 of their 12 games lines at 6 points or less. While I have them favored in just 4 games, I am willing to give the Jaguars the benefit of the doubt considering they have won at least 5 games each of the last 4 years.
Brad Powers’ Prediction: 5-7 (Best Bet: OVER 4 season win total).
- New Mexico State (Current Power Rating: 55.66)
New Mexico State has not played in the post-season since 1960, which is the longest drought in the country. The Aggies also have not topped 4 wins since 2004 and haven’t reached the 4-win total since 2011. Last year’s team looked promising, but several injuries did them in and they went 3-9 for a second consecutive season.
This year’s team welcomes back 16 starters and they are the most experienced team in the Sun Belt. Senior QB Tyler Rogers returns for another season (already 3rd-all-time in passing yards in school history) and they also return RB Larry Rose who only needs 1,074 yards to become the all-time leading rusher here. The Aggies also bring back 7 of their top 8 receivers and return 3 starters on the OL.
The defense was much improved last season (allowed 6.2 ppg less than they did in 2015) and this year’s unit looks even better with 9 returning starters. They do suffer a significant loss in All-American LB Rodney Butler (led nation in tackles a year ago with 165). However, their next 11 leading tacklers from last year return.
2017 Schedule With Projected Lines
Date
|
Opponent
|
Line
|
8/31
|
at Arizona St
|
+24
|
9/9
|
at New Mexico
|
+8
|
9/16
|
Troy
|
+7
|
9/23
|
UTEP
|
-6
|
9/30
|
at Arkansas
|
+27
|
10/7
|
at Appalachian St
|
+18
|
10/14
|
at Georgia Southern
|
+5
|
10/21
|
Bye
|
|
10/28
|
Arkansas St
|
+7
|
11/4
|
at Texas St
|
-5
|
11/11
|
Bye
|
|
11/18
|
at UL-Lafayette
|
+6
|
11/25
|
Idaho
|
-3
|
12/2
|
South Alabama
|
-2
|
There’s no question this is the best New Mexico State team in quite some time, but it might not reflect in their overall record. They have a difficult schedule that includes 7 road games (5 of first 7 games on road). The Aggies will have to fight through a tough beginning of the season as most of their winnable games come in November.
Brad Powers’ Prediction: 4-8 (Lean: OVER 3.5 season win total at Bookmaker).
- Idaho (Current Power Rating: 55.32)
Prior to last season, Idaho had only one winning season since 1999 (8-5 in 2009). The Vandals did return 14 starters from a 4-win team in 2015 (most wins here since 2010) but they would shockingly win 9 games highlighted by a 61-50 victory over Colorado State as a double-digit underdog in the bowl game.
This year’s team returns just 10 starters but one of them is 3-year starting QB Matt Linehan who threw for 3,184 yards (19-to-10 TD-to-INT ratio) last year. The Vandals also welcome back their top 2 rushers in Isaiah Saunders and Aaron Duckworth who combined for 1,403 yards in 2016. They do lose 5 of their top 6 receivers and also 3 starters on the offensive line.
Last year’s defense posted their best rush defense numbers since 1999 (allowed 145 rush ypg) and they do bring back their leading tackler in LB Tony Lashley (107 tackles). However, they do lose 4 of their top 5 DL and 4 of their top 6 DB’s.
2017 Schedule With Projected Lines
Date
|
Opponent
|
Line
|
8/31
|
Sacramento St
|
-26
|
9/9
|
UNLV
|
-2
|
9/16
|
at Western Michigan
|
+18
|
9/23
|
at South Alabama
|
+4
|
9/30
|
Bye
|
|
10/7
|
UL-Lafayette
|
PK
|
10/14
|
Appalachian St
|
+12
|
10/21
|
at Missouri
|
+23
|
10/28
|
ULM
|
-4
|
11/2
|
at Troy
|
+13
|
11/11
|
Bye
|
|
11/18
|
Coastal Carolina
|
-5
|
11/25
|
at New Mexico St
|
+3
|
12/2
|
at Georgia St
|
+2
|
Several Idaho games could be close this year as I have 7 of their 12 games lined at a TD or less. I have them favored in 4 games with another listed at “pick-em”. How the Vandals fare in their last two road games could ultimately determine whether Idaho makes it back to a bowl in their final season of FBS action (they move down to the FCS Big Sky conference in 2018).
Brad Powers’ Prediction: 5-7 (Lean: OVER 4.5 season win total at Bookmaker).
- Georgia State (Current Power Rating: 55.08)
Last year Georgia State was coming off their first bowl appearance in school history (started their program in 2010). They had 16 returning starters, but shockingly fell to just 3-9 and fired head coach Trent Miles. This year they bring in new head coach Shawn Elliott from South Carolina who was the interim there in 2015 going 1-5.
The offense welcomes back 8 starters led by QB Conner Manning who threw for 2,684 yards (just a 16-to-13 TD-to-INT ratio) last year. Georgia St returns its top 7 rushers but does lose leading receiver Robert Davis (968 yards). The Panthers do get back Penny Hart (1st team Sun-Belt in 2015) who missed most of last season due to injury and also return 88 career starts on the offensive line.
The defense does lose their top 2 tacklers in LB Alonzo McGee (97 tackles) and 1st-team All-SBC Safety Bobby Baker (82 tackles). However, the Panthers have posted solid defensive numbers in each of the last 2 seasons (especially in the secondary) and return 7 starters from last year’s unit.
2017 Schedule With Projected Lines
Date
|
Opponent
|
Line
|
8/31
|
Tennessee St
|
-16
|
9/9
|
Bye
|
|
9/16
|
at Penn St
|
+40
|
9/23
|
at Charlotte
|
-2
|
9/30
|
Memphis
|
+19
|
10/7
|
at Coastal Carolina
|
PK
|
10/14
|
at ULM
|
+2
|
10/21
|
Troy
|
+8
|
10/26
|
South Alabama
|
-1
|
11/4
|
at Georgia Southern
|
+5
|
11/11
|
at Texas St
|
-4
|
11/18
|
Bye
|
|
11/25
|
Appalachian St
|
+13
|
12/2
|
Idaho
|
-2
|
This year’s schedule could feature many close games as I have 7 of their 12 games lined at a TD or less including 5 by 2-points or less. How the Panthers fare in those close games will ultimately determine how successful this season will be under first-year coach Elliott as I could see them anywhere from 3-9 to 7-5.
Brad Powers’ Prediction: 5-7 (push current season win total).
- UL-Monroe (Current Power Rating: 54.39)
Last year ULM returned only 2 starters on defense and had a new head coach in Matt Viator. The defense would allow 39 ppg and 480 ypg (worst here in more than 20 years) but somehow the Warhawks managed to improve their record from 2-11 in 2015 to 4-8.
This year’s team returns 7 starters on offense led by QB Garrett Smith who missed the last 6 games in 2016 due to injury. Each of their top 8 rushers from last year return and they bring in a transfer from Alabama in Derrick Gore. The Warhawks also return each of their top 3 receivers. The biggest question mark comes on the offensive line as they lose their starting center, left tackle and their OL coach.
Last year’s defense was one of the worst in school history but this year’s unit should be improved. They return their top 2 tacklers in LB’s David Griffith (78 tackles, 12 TFL’s) and Chase Day (70 tackles, 9.5 TFL’s). They do lose their leader in the secondary in safety Tre’ Hunter and also CB Justin Backus (10 pbu’s).
2017 Schedule With Projected Lines
Date
|
Opponent
|
Line
|
8/31
|
at Memphis
|
+25
|
9/9
|
at Florida St
|
+46
|
9/16
|
Southern Miss
|
+6
|
9/23
|
at UL-Lafayette
|
+7
|
9/30
|
Coastal Carolina
|
-4
|
10/7
|
at Texas St
|
-4
|
10/14
|
Georgia St
|
-2
|
10/21
|
at South Alabama
|
+5
|
10/28
|
at Idaho
|
+4
|
11/4
|
Appalachian St
|
+13
|
11/11
|
Bye
|
|
11/18
|
at Auburn
|
+40
|
11/25
|
Arkansas St
|
+8
|
The non-conference schedule is brutal yet again for ULM, but they do get some key games against Coastal Carolina and Georgia State at home in Sun Belt play (could also be favored at Texas State). While I would favor this year’s team by more than a TD over last year’s team, ULM could actually take a step back in the win-loss column.
Brad Powers’ Prediction: 3-9 (but agree with current 3.5 season win total line).
- Coastal Carolina (Power Rating: 52.88)
The Chanticleers have been a very successful FCS program the last 5 years going 51-15 under head coach Joe Moglia (former CEO of TD Ameritrade). However, Moglia has taken a leave of absence for this year due to health reasons. Coastal Carolina remains in good hands as their interim head coach is new O.C. Jamey Chadwell who was the head coach at Charleston Southern from 2013-2016 going 35-14. The D.C. is former James Madison head coach Mickey Matthews who won a FCS National Title in 2004 (coached there from 1999-2013).
The Chanticleers return only 10 starters from last year. While they bring back their Top 2 QB’s from last year, Syracuse transfer Austin Wilson could be their starter. They do lose their all-time leading rusher in RB De’Angelo Henderson (4,635 career rush yards) and also lose 3 of their top 4 receivers. Most concerning is the loss of 101 career starts on the offensive line.
The defense is a little more experienced with 6 starters back, but they do lose their top player in FCS All-American LB Alex Scearce who led the team in sacks and tackles. The Chanticleers also lose 4 of their top 5 guys in the secondary.
2017 Schedule With Projected Lines
Date
|
Opponent
|
Line
|
9/2
|
Massachusetts
|
+1
|
9/9
|
Bye
|
|
9/16
|
at UAB
|
-2
|
9/23
|
Western Illinois
|
-7
|
9/30
|
at ULM
|
+4
|
10/7
|
Georgia St
|
PK
|
10/14
|
at Arkansas St
|
+16
|
10/21
|
at Appalachian St
|
+21
|
10/28
|
Texas St
|
-7
|
11/4
|
at Arkansas
|
+29
|
11/11
|
Troy
|
+10
|
11/18
|
at Idaho
|
+5
|
11/25
|
Bye
|
|
12/2
|
Georgia Southern
|
+1
|
The Chanticleers are taking large-sized jump in schedule strength this year and must play each of the top 3 teams in the Sun Belt (Appalachian St, Arkansas St and Troy). Still a manageable non-conference slate that includes Massachusetts, UAB and Western Illinois along with home games against Georgia St and Texas St should yield them more than a few victories in their first season of FBS.
Brad Powers’ Prediction: 4-8 (push current season win total).
- Texas State (Current Power Rating: 48.14)
Texas State was arguably the worst FBS team in the country last year as they were outscored by 22.5 ppg and were -169 ypg. After a shocking upset win over Ohio in the opener, there only other win on the season came over FCS Incarnate Word.
This year’s team should be much improved under second-year head coach Everett Withers thanks to the return of 13 starters. While the Bobcats lose their top 4 QB’s from last year, they add in a talented transfer from Mississippi State in Damian Williams. They also bring back their leading rusher Stedman Mayberry (593 yards) and their top 7 receivers from last year. However, the offensive line does return only 30 career starts.
Last year’s defense was among the worst in the country allowing a school-record 41 ppg. This year’s unit should be improved thanks to the return of a pair of All-Sun Belt LB’s in Bryan London (141 tackles last year) and Gabe Loyd (102 tackles). They also return 3 of their top 4 DL. The most concerning unit on the team remains the secondary as they have incredibly allowed a 56-6 TD-to-INT ratio the last two years and lose 3 of their 4 starters.
2017 Schedule With Projected Lines
Date
|
Opponent
|
Line
|
9/2
|
Houston Baptist
|
-17
|
9/9
|
at Colorado
|
+33
|
9/16
|
Appalachian St
|
+20
|
9/23
|
UTSA
|
+12
|
9/30
|
at Wyoming
|
+20
|
10/7
|
ULM
|
+4
|
10/12
|
at UL-Lafayette
|
+13
|
10/21
|
Bye
|
|
10/28
|
at Coastal Carolina
|
+7
|
11/4
|
New Mexico St
|
+5
|
11/11
|
Georgia St
|
+4
|
11/18
|
at Arkansas St
|
+21
|
11/25
|
at Troy
|
+21
|
While improved from last season (I would favor them by more than a TD over last year’s team), Texas State may find themselves an underdog in 11 of their 12 games this season. Outside of the opener against FCS Houston Baptist, they have four small underdog roles against ULM, Coastal Carolina, New Mexico St and Georgia St. I look for the Bobcats to pull at least one upset and maybe even two.
Brad Powers’ Prediction: 3-9 (but agree with current 2.5 season win total line).