SUN BELT FOOTBALL 2014

The SB has 11 teams for FBS football this year. Each team plays Eight conference games ( 4 home, 4 away) and Four non-conference games. The SB teams UI does not play in 2014 are Louisiana Lafayette and Georgia State. We will go through the Vandal schedule plus snapshot looks at ULL and GSU.



FLORIDA - Gainesville - Aug 30

The good news is the Gators were 4-8 last year and are paying UI $1.0 million to visit. The bad new is that the Vandals will be five TD underdogs. The best we can probably hope for is beating the spread. The fact that new SB member Georgia Southern (FCS last year) defeated UF 26-20 in Gainesville, gives the Vandals a tiny ray of hope.



LOUISIANA MONROE - Monroe - Sep 6

War Hawks were 6-6 in 2013 and are historically a middle of the pack SB team. Their only SB title was in 2005, when they got a piece of a three way tie. ULM did win a 1-AA title in 1987 when their name was NE Louisiana. Their biggest recent win was in 2007 when they upset Alabama 21-14 in Tuscaloosa. We remember ULM as big and physical. UI coach Petrino is pointing to this game as a chance to get the Vandals rolling in the SB, but it will be a tough game.



WESTERN MICHIGAN - Moscow - Sep 13

Broncos of the MAC matched UI's 1-11 record in 2013 and offer the Vandals a good chance for a win. Heck, UI may even be favored. Vandals really need this one to help re-establish a winning tradition in the dome.



OHIO - Athens - Sep 20

Vandals get their second consecutive MAC team, but this one had a 7-6 record last year (5-2 at home). With rare exceptions (NIU 2009 and WMU 2010), UI has not fared well against MAC teams on the road. Vandals will likely be two TD underdogs and we do not like their chances.



SOUTH ALABAMA - Moscow - Sep 27

SAU is located in Mobile and started football in 2009 and moved to FBS in 2012, going 8-17 since then. They were 6-6 (2-4 away) last year, including a 30-8 late season drubbing of SB champ ULL. This definitely looks like a program on the rise. We will hope the long trip to Moscow and the fact that the Jaguars have only won two road games in their short history, will prove beneficial to the Vandals. Got to have this one to build on that dome field advantage.



TEXAS STATE - San Marcos - Oct 4

The Bobcats were 6-6 in their first year in the SB in 2013, including a non-conference 37-21 win over the Vandals in Moscow. And how can we forget the 38-7 loss to TSU in 2012 - the one that clinched the firing of Robb Akey. Although UI should not be a huge underdog, a win would be a surprise.



GEORGIA SOUTHERN - Statesboro - Oct 11

The Eagles had an extremely successful FCS history, Including six 1-AA national championships, two Walter Payton award winners (same as UI), and two Eddie Robinson coaching awards. This storied program moves to the Sun Belt and FBS this year after a 7-4 season in 2013, including that impressive
win over Florida. It would be an upset for UI to get the win.



NEW MEXICO STATE - Moscow - Oct 18

Long time conference mate Aggies (BW, SB, WAC, IND, SB) come to Moscow after winning the "who cares" match up of 1-10 FBS independents in Las Cruces 24-16 last year. It is time for revenge, its homecoming, and Vandals should be favored. Do not even want to think about losing this one.



ARKANSAS STATE - Moscow - Nov 1

The Red Wolves are charter members of the SB and are 4-1 against UI since 2001, including last year's 24-48 loss the Vandals suffered in Jonesboro. ASU has been very successful lately winning Sun Belt titles in 2011 and 2012, as well as sharing titles in 2005 and 2013. They are coming off an 8-5 season that finished with a bowl win over Ball State. Vandals will be home team underdogs, coming off a bye week. How about a big upset?!



SAN DIEGO STATE - San Diego - Nov 8

The Mountain West Aztecs are also coming off an 8-5 season with a bowl win over Buffalo in Boise. It is not the same team UI beat 34-20 in 2009. SDSU has had 8 or 9 wins each of the last four years. A win for UI here seems unlikely.



TROY - Moscow - Nov 15

These Trojans are not a stop on the Bovill run, but a team that won 5 consecutive Sun Belt titles from 2006 -2010 and were Division II national champs in 1984 and 1987. They got national notoriety for upsetting #17
Missouri 24-14 in 2004. Troy is coming off a 6-6 season and may be favored, but the Vandals should have a chance.



APPALACHIAN STATE - Boone, NC - Nov 29

The Mountaineers have been successful for many years, winning 1-AA national championships in 2005, 06, and 07. Armanti Edwards won back to back Walter Payton Awards in 2008 and 2009. App State has also had an FCS coach of the year and defensive player of the year. Mountaineers are coming of a 4-8
season in FCS and will be playing FBS for the first time in 2014 as a SB member. Possible chance for a late season road win for the Vandals.



Sun Belt Teams that UI does NOT play in 2014



LOUISIANA LAFAYETTE

The Ragin Cajuns are the pre-season pick to win the Sun Belt. This SB charter member has won three consecutive New Orleans Bowls (2011-13), beating Tulane, East Carolina, and San Diego State. And thank goodness the Vandals do not play them!



GEORGIA STATE

The Panthers started football in 2010 as an FCS team and compiled 10-23 record. They were 0-12 in 2013 playing an FBS schedule and are a new SB member for 2014. They play their games in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta -which is the main reason they could into an FBS conference after just four unsuccessful years. Darn, we wish they were on UI's schedule in 2014.



GO VANDALS!

If Idaho could put it all tougher they could be a sleeping giant in the conference.

Idaho has more potential than any other school in the Belt or even in CUSA and up.

It would be fun to see them catch their stride and make progress. Unfortunately, it won't be this season that starts.

(08-02-2014 05:39 PM)VandalBasher Wrote:  SOUTH ALABAMA - Moscow - Sep 27

SAU is located in Mobile and started football in 2009 and moved to FBS in 2012, going 8-17 since then. They were 6-6 (2-4 away) last year, including a 30-8 late season drubbing of SB champ ULL. This definitely looks like a program on the rise. We will hope the long trip to Moscow and the fact that the Jaguars have only won two road games in their short history, will prove beneficial to the Vandals. Got to have this one to build on that dome field advantage.

1. There is no such thing as SAU. It's the University of South Alabama, or USA.
2. We played an FBS schedule in 2012, but that was our last FCS transitional year. Basically we were FCS with no depth playing a FBS schedule.
3. We have won more than 2 road games. Maybe you mean we only won 2 road FBS wins? But to be fair, we haven't played a lot either, and several of the losses were by 1 or 2 points.
4. USA has a great record in domes...
5. Think on this: in our first year in the FBS we were bowl eligible and 1 point away from winning (sharing) the conference championship.
6. Your hope of the trip to Idaho tiring our players out is exactly why Idaho doesn't belong in this conference.

Good luck!

(08-02-2014 05:59 PM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  If Idaho could put it all tougher they could be a sleeping giant in the conference.

Idaho has more potential than any other school in the Belt or even in CUSA and up.

It would be fun to see them catch their stride and make progress. Unfortunately, it won't be this season that starts.

(08-02-2014 06:13 PM)SkullyMaroo Wrote:  

(08-02-2014 05:39 PM)VandalBasher Wrote:  SOUTH ALABAMA - Moscow - Sep 27

SAU is located in Mobile and started football in 2009 and moved to FBS in 2012, going 8-17 since then. They were 6-6 (2-4 away) last year, including a 30-8 late season drubbing of SB champ ULL. This definitely looks like a program on the rise. We will hope the long trip to Moscow and the fact that the Jaguars have only won two road games in their short history, will prove beneficial to the Vandals. Got to have this one to build on that dome field advantage.

1. There is no such thing as SAU. It's the University of South Alabama, or USA.
2. We played an FBS schedule in 2012, but that was our last FCS transitional year. Basically we were FCS with no depth playing a FBS schedule.
3. We have won more than 2 road games. Maybe you mean we only won 2 road FBS wins? But to be fair, we haven't played a lot either, and several of the losses were by 1 or 2 points.
4. USA has a great record in domes...
5. Think on this: in our first year in the FBS we were bowl eligible and 1 point away from winning (sharing) the conference championship.
6. Your hope of the trip to Idaho tiring our players out is exactly why Idaho doesn't belong in this conference.

Good luck!

LOL. USA has never lost a FBS game in a dome (we went 1-1 against FCS teams in domes when we were FCS). It won TWO of them last year, and one was against a FBS bowl team.

Here are our road losses. Tennessee - lost by 7 points. Had the ball on the Vols 4 yard line on the last play of the game. Troy - blew a lead in the last minute. Texas State - fought back to take a lead in the last minute. Lost the game on a crazy, fluke play. Navy - they beat us soundly.

So we lost 4 games to bowl eligible teams on the road. In 2 of them we had a lead in the final minute. In another, we had a chance to win in the last minute.

We might not be as good as we were last year (our defense takes a big hit), but its obvious we aren't spooked by road games, or domes.

On another note, I'm working up in Calgary. I'm thinking about coming down for the game. See you all in Moscow.

(08-02-2014 06:14 PM)The4thOption Wrote:  

(08-02-2014 05:59 PM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  If Idaho could put it all tougher they could be a sleeping giant in the conference.

Idaho has more potential than any other school in the Belt or even in CUSA and up.

It would be fun to see them catch their stride and make progress. Unfortunately, it won't be this season that starts.

Not sure that I agree. Very tough to recruit players to go to Moscow. And no longer does UofI have Boise on its side. Most bandwagoners hitched themselves to Boise St.

TEXAS STATE - San Marcos - Oct 4

The Bobcats were 6-6 in their first year in the SB in 2013, including a non-conference 37-21 win over the Vandals in Moscow. And how can we forget the 38-7 loss to TXST in 2012 - the one that clinched the firing of Robb Akey. Although UI should not be a huge underdog, a win would be a surprise.

(08-02-2014 05:39 PM)VandalBasher Wrote:  SUN BELT FOOTBALL 2014

The SB has 11 teams for FBS football this year. Each team plays Eight conference games ( 4 home, 4 away) and Four non-conference games. The SB teams UI does not play in 2014 are Louisiana Lafayette and Georgia State. We will go through the Vandal schedule plus snapshot looks at ULL and GSU.



FLORIDA - Gainesville - Aug 30

The good news is the Gators were 4-8 last year and are paying UI $1.0 million to visit. The bad new is that the Vandals will be five TD underdogs. The best we can probably hope for is beating the spread. The fact that new SB member Georgia Southern (FCS last year) defeated UF 26-20 in Gainesville, gives the Vandals a tiny ray of hope.



LOUISIANA MONROE - Monroe - Sep 6

War Hawks were 6-6 in 2013 and are historically a middle of the pack SB team. Their only SB title was in 2005, when they got a piece of a three way tie. ULM did win a 1-AA title in 1987 when their name was NE Louisiana. Their biggest recent win was in 2007 when they upset Alabama 21-14 in Tuscaloosa. We remember ULM as big and physical. UI coach Petrino is pointing to this game as a chance to get the Vandals rolling in the SB, but it will be a tough game.



WESTERN MICHIGAN - Moscow - Sep 13

Broncos of the MAC matched UI's 1-11 record in 2013 and offer the Vandals a good chance for a win. Heck, UI may even be favored. Vandals really need this one to help re-establish a winning tradition in the dome.



OHIO - Athens - Sep 20

Vandals get their second consecutive MAC team, but this one had a 7-6 record last year (5-2 at home). With rare exceptions (NIU 2009 and WMU 2010), UI has not fared well against MAC teams on the road. Vandals will likely be two TD underdogs and we do not like their chances.



SOUTH ALABAMA - Moscow - Sep 27

SAU is located in Mobile and started football in 2009 and moved to FBS in 2012, going 8-17 since then. They were 6-6 (2-4 away) last year, including a 30-8 late season drubbing of SB champ ULL. This definitely looks like a program on the rise. We will hope the long trip to Moscow and the fact that the Jaguars have only won two road games in their short history, will prove beneficial to the Vandals. Got to have this one to build on that dome field advantage.



TEXAS STATE - San Marcos - Oct 4

The Bobcats were 6-6 in their first year in the SB in 2013, including a non-conference 37-21 win over the Vandals in Moscow. And how can we forget the 38-7 loss to TSU in 2012 - the one that clinched the firing of Robb Akey. Although UI should not be a huge underdog, a win would be a surprise.



GEORGIA SOUTHERN - Statesboro - Oct 11

The Eagles had an extremely successful FCS history, Including six 1-AA national championships, two Walter Payton award winners (same as UI), and two Eddie Robinson coaching awards. This storied program moves to the Sun Belt and FBS this year after a 7-4 season in 2013, including that impressive
win over Florida. It would be an upset for UI to get the win.



NEW MEXICO STATE - Moscow - Oct 18

Long time conference mate Aggies (BW, SB, WAC, IND, SB) come to Moscow after winning the "who cares" match up of 1-10 FBS independents in Las Cruces 24-16 last year. It is time for revenge, its homecoming, and Vandals should be favored. Do not even want to think about losing this one.



ARKANSAS STATE - Moscow - Nov 1

The Red Wolves are charter members of the SB and are 4-1 against UI since 2001, including last year's 24-48 loss the Vandals suffered in Jonesboro. ASU has been very successful lately winning Sun Belt titles in 2011 and 2012, as well as sharing titles in 2005 and 2013. They are coming off an 8-5 season that finished with a bowl win over Ball State. Vandals will be home team underdogs, coming off a bye week. How about a big upset?!



SAN DIEGO STATE - San Diego - Nov 8

The Mountain West Aztecs are also coming off an 8-5 season with a bowl win over Buffalo in Boise. It is not the same team UI beat 34-20 in 2009. SDSU has had 8 or 9 wins each of the last four years. A win for UI here seems unlikely.



TROY - Moscow - Nov 15

These Trojans are not a stop on the Bovill run, but a team that won 5 consecutive Sun Belt titles from 2006 -2010 and were Division II national champs in 1984 and 1987. They got national notoriety for upsetting #17
Missouri 24-14 in 2004. Troy is coming off a 6-6 season and may be favored, but the Vandals should have a chance.



APPALACHIAN STATE - Boone, NC - Nov 29

The Mountaineers have been successful for many years, winning 1-AA national championships in 2005, 06, and 07. Armanti Edwards won back to back Walter Payton Awards in 2008 and 2009. App State has also had an FCS coach of the year and defensive player of the year. Mountaineers are coming of a 4-8
season in FCS and will be playing FBS for the first time in 2014 as a SB member. Possible chance for a late season road win for the Vandals.



Sun Belt Teams that UI does NOT play in 2014



LOUISIANA LAFAYETTE

The Ragin Cajuns are the pre-season pick to win the Sun Belt. This SB charter member has won three consecutive New Orleans Bowls (2011-13), beating Tulane, East Carolina, and San Diego State. And thank goodness the Vandals do not play them!



GEORGIA STATE

The Panthers started football in 2010 as an FCS team and compiled 10-23 record. They were 0-12 in 2013 playing an FBS schedule and are a new SB member for 2014. They play their games in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta -which is the main reason they could into an FBS conference after just four unsuccessful years. Darn, we wish they were on UI's schedule in 2014.



GO VANDALS!

Bad news, Idaho. You will not get a SBC victory in 2014. Take it to the bank.

That's what the Vandals need, to win and win and win.
You can recruit players to Hades if it's to a winning program.
The right coach could do it.

Why are SoBama fans so defensive?

It appears a lot of people under estimate that cross country trip in terms of affecting the teams.

(08-04-2014 11:38 AM)Hemi Man Wrote:  Why are SoBama fans so defensive?

It appears a lot of people under estimate that cross country trip in terms of affecting the teams.

The same d*** reason Troy fans are , Bubba.

(08-04-2014 11:44 AM)JoeJag Wrote:  

(08-04-2014 11:38 AM)Hemi Man Wrote:  Why are SoBama fans so defensive?

It appears a lot of people under estimate that cross country trip in terms of affecting the teams.

The same d*** reason Troy fans are , Bubba.

I didn't see any Troy fans jumping in to dispute this man's opinion on why his team may or may not have success.

Thanks for proving my point.

(08-04-2014 11:47 AM)Hemi Man Wrote:  

(08-04-2014 11:44 AM)JoeJag Wrote:  

(08-04-2014 11:38 AM)Hemi Man Wrote:  Why are SoBama fans so defensive?

It appears a lot of people under estimate that cross country trip in terms of affecting the teams.

The same d*** reason Troy fans are , Bubba.

I didn't see any Troy fans jumping in to dispute this man's opinion on why his team may or may not have success.

Thanks for proving my point.

They're probably still trying to figure out what the post was all about.

(08-04-2014 11:47 AM)Hemi Man Wrote:  

(08-04-2014 11:44 AM)JoeJag Wrote:  

(08-04-2014 11:38 AM)Hemi Man Wrote:  Why are SoBama fans so defensive?

It appears a lot of people under estimate that cross country trip in terms of affecting the teams.

The same d*** reason Troy fans are , Bubba.

I didn't see any Troy fans jumping in to dispute this man's opinion on why his team may or may not have success.

Thanks for proving my point.

And thanks for proving his...

The original post contained inaccuracies. I didn't discredit the long trip tiring the USA players. I said that their hope that it tires our players to the point they win the game is exactly why they aren't a fit for this conference.

(08-04-2014 01:42 PM)SkullyMaroo Wrote:  

(08-04-2014 11:47 AM)Hemi Man Wrote:  

(08-04-2014 11:44 AM)JoeJag Wrote:  

(08-04-2014 11:38 AM)Hemi Man Wrote:  Why are SoBama fans so defensive?

It appears a lot of people under estimate that cross country trip in terms of affecting the teams.

The same d*** reason Troy fans are , Bubba.

I didn't see any Troy fans jumping in to dispute this man's opinion on why his team may or may not have success.

Thanks for proving my point.

And thanks for proving his...

The original post contained inaccuracies. I didn't discredit the long trip tiring the USA players. I said that their hope that it tires our players to the point they win the game is exactly why they aren't a fit for this conference.

That is a 5 hour charter flight from Mobile? It should not tire out our players. Fly out Friday morning 10:00 AM; arrive at 2:00 MST; game at 12:00 MST/1:00 CST.

(08-02-2014 05:59 PM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  If Idaho could put it all tougher they could be a sleeping giant in the conference.

Idaho has more potential than any other school in the Belt or even in CUSA and up.

It would be fun to see them catch their stride and make progress. Unfortunately, it won't be this season that starts.

Serious question. Exactly what gives them more potential than perpetual conference champs stAte and ULL? Or even one of the new additions like Southern?

I don't know much about Idaho so I'm genuinely curious.

(08-02-2014 05:39 PM)VandalBasher Wrote:  TEXAS STATE - San Marcos - Oct 4

The Bobcats were 6-6 in their first year in the SB in 2013, including a non-conference 37-21 win over the Vandals in Moscow. And how can we forget the 38-7 loss to TSU in 2012 - the one that clinched the firing of Robb Akey. Although UI should not be a huge underdog, a win would be a surprise.

For the 3,456th time IT's TXST not TSU. TSU is Texas Southern University, a SWAC school located around Houston, TX. AGAIN the correct acronym is TXST

Oooo! Look at the jags fans show their fierce teeth!

(08-04-2014 03:16 PM)PanAz Wrote:  

(08-02-2014 05:59 PM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  If Idaho could put it all tougher they could be a sleeping giant in the conference.

Idaho has more potential than any other school in the Belt or even in CUSA and up.

It would be fun to see them catch their stride and make progress. Unfortunately, it won't be this season that starts.

Serious question. Exactly what gives them more potential than perpetual conference champs stAte and ULL? Or even one of the new additions like Southern?

I don't know much about Idaho so I'm genuinely curious.

Not sure but guess because they have so far to come up from the bottom.

(08-04-2014 01:42 PM)SkullyMaroo Wrote:  

(08-04-2014 11:47 AM)Hemi Man Wrote:  

(08-04-2014 11:44 AM)JoeJag Wrote:  

(08-04-2014 11:38 AM)Hemi Man Wrote:  Why are SoBama fans so defensive?

It appears a lot of people under estimate that cross country trip in terms of affecting the teams.

The same d*** reason Troy fans are , Bubba.

I didn't see any Troy fans jumping in to dispute this man's opinion on why his team may or may not have success.

Thanks for proving my point.

And thanks for proving his...

The original post contained inaccuracies. I didn't discredit the long trip tiring the USA players. I said that their hope that it tires our players to the point they win the game is exactly why they aren't a fit for this conference.

If whining was the point it was most certainly proven.

I'm not a big fan of Idaho being in the conference, but since they are here we will have to deal with it. On the flip side when they make the long trip out to the east it will have me same effect on them as as it does on our teams traveling out there.