All,

I receive a weekly email from a fellow Vandal with his predictions for each conference game. Now that we are into conference play, here is his take on the match ups.


SUN BELT WEEK #5

Sun Belt teams go 1-7 in non-conference games on Saturday. For the season they are now 10-23 (3-22 against FBS and 7-1 against FCS). This coming week features three conference games and just 2 non-conference games. Three teams do not play this week - ULL, GST, and ASU.



Ohio 36 IDAHO 24

Vandals have another rough start as Bobcats (2-2) score 17 points on their first four possessions while UI's first four possessions produced 3 punts and one interception. From this 0-17 hole the Vandals (0-3, 0-1) never led, but did get to 17-20 late in the third quarter. Ohio dominated the run game 272 to 64 and nabbed three interceptions. On the upside Matt Linehan passed for 353 and two TDs and Joshua McCain caught 5 passes for 150 and those 2 TDs. Next for UI is a home conference game against South Alabama (1-2, 0-1), a 6-28 loser to Georgia Southern last Saturday. The good news is that USA has scored just 9 points in its last two games. The bad news is that USA has won its only road game over Kent State - a team that defeated Ohio 17-14 on Aug 30. The Jaguars are favored by 6 and will be facing Idaho's #116 rated defense.
USA 31 UI 28



GEORGIA SOUTHERN 28 SOUTHERN ALABAMA 6

In Mobile, the visiting Eagles (2-2, 1-0) dominate in yardage 420-296, and
are led by Matt Breida's 187 rushing and two TDs. Next for USA is the above mentioned trip to Idaho. Next for GSO is a home conference game hosting Appalachian State (1-2) who is coming off a heart-breaking loss (20-21) to Southern Mississippi. GSO is favored by 16 and may win by more. The game is televised live Thursday Sep 25 and is on ESPNU.
GSO 35 APST 17



ARKANSAS STATE 21 Utah State 14

In Jonesboro the Red Wolves (2-2) rallied from a 7-14 fourth quarter deficit to win in overtime. The poor Aggies (2-2) out-gained ASU by 413 to 316 and grabbed four turnovers and lost ?!! It was not pretty but it was the only FBS win this weekend for a Sun Belt conference team. Next for ASU is a weekend off and two weeks to prepare for ULM.



New Mexico 38 NEW MEXICO STATE 35

In Las Cruces the Aggies lose a rivalry game as UNM (1-2) gets the game
winning TD with 27 seconds left. The Lobos used a punishing run game that produced 432 yards and the win. Tyler Rogers threw for 333 for the losing squad. Next for NMSU (2-2, 1-0) is a trip to LSU as 44 point underdogs. #17 ranked LSU is coming off a home loss to Mississippi State and they will be cranky.
LSU 56 NMSU 16



Illinois 42 TEXAS STATE 35

TXST (1-2) led 21-13 at the half in Champaign and 28-25 at the end of 3
quarters. The game clincher was 45 yard "pick 6" with 2:41 left that gave
the Illini a 42-28 lead and they hung on to win. Bobcats were led by Tyler Jones who threw for 336 and four TDs against their Big Ten opponent. Next for TXST is at Tulsa (1-2) as 4 point underdogs. Tulsa is coming off a bye week after suffering a 21-50 loss at Florida Atlantic. We like the Bobcats in a mild upset.
TXST 39 Tulsa 30



Washington 45 GEORGIA STATE 14

GST (1-3, 0-1) stunned the Husky Stadium crowd, as the 36 point underdog Panthers led 14-0 at halftime. Huskies (4-0) woke up after halftime and turned 4 GST turnovers into points and UW defense held GST to just 42 yards in the second half. Next for GST is a weekend off and two weeks to prepare for ULL.



Boise State 34 LOUISIANA LAFAYETTE 9

Last year's Sun Belt Champs get whipped in Les Bois. Broncos run up 499
yards offense to just 241 for the Ragin Cajuns (1-3). Next up for ULL is a
weekend off and two weeks to prepare for GST.


Southern Mississippi 21 APPALACHIA STATE 20

A very tough loss for the Mountaineers (1-2) as they out-gain USM (455 to 329) and lose it on a blocked extra point with 6 seconds left in the game. Marcus Cox ran for 119 yards and a TD and Taylor Lamb passed for 264 and 2 TDs for APST. Next for APST is the previously mentioned game at GSO.



Georgia 66 TROY 0

The free fall for the Trojans (0-4) continues as they are blown out by the #13 ranked Bulldogs. Troy was out rushed by 367 to 47! Next up for Troy is at ULM (2-1,1-0),who had last weekend off. War Hawks are favored by 10 and may win by more.
ULM 38 TROY 14