Arkansas St is now known as the Red Wolves, Steve Roberts enters his 7th season and hopes to return them to their winning ways following last year's 5-7 mark. The return only 11 starters so much work is needed especially on the O-Line, the Red Wolves also must reduce the turnovers this season.

Howard Schnellenbergers' Owls beat Minnesota and won the schools first ever bowl game, and with 18 starters returning expectations are high. They play an ambitious schedule and they won’t sneak up on anyone this season but FAU has the pieces in place to defend their Sun Belt crown.

Mario Cristobal enters his 2nd year and when your 1-11 with the nations 118th ranked offense there’s no place to go but up. FIU has hired Bill Legg from Purdue to be the new OC and they'll go to the spread offense. 9 starters on the offense so experience will not be the problem, its production.

At Middle Tenn Rick Stockstill enters his 3rd year and has a conference low 8 starters returning as he’s tries to return the Blue Raiders to their winning ways. They were 4-3 in conference but were done in by injuries; they cannot suffer the same fate again as the lack the depth to overcome it.

Todd Dodge enters his 2nd season in charge, the Mean Green were just 2-10 but there were positive signs as the offense ranked 47th and returns 8 starters. The defense ranked 113th and needs a major upgrade for No Texas to return to the winning ways that the program is accustomed to.

Entering his 18th season Larry Blakeney has led the Trojans to back to back 8 win seasons. They return 14 starters and the lines on both sides of the ball are top notch; expect new OC Neal Brown to keep the wide open attack in place and for Troy to be a major player in the Sun Belt.

Expectations were high at Lafayette as the Rajun Cajuns were coming off a 6-win year, but they struggled to a 3-9 record for coach Rickey Bustle. They return 16 starters and might be able to fly under the radar. Look for Lafayette to have one of the better rushing attacks and they could surprise.

Charlie Weatherbie enters his 6th year as the head man hoping that his Warhawks continue their winning ways, they closed 07’ win victories in 5 of their last six games including the shocking 21-14 win at Alabama. Monroe returns 15 starters and expectations at UL-Monroe are pretty high.