CSNbbs

Hey all, it's Kara from The Ticket Radio Network in Jonesboro checking in to shamelessly self promote another year of Sun Belt Media Days coverage.

Just like last year, the event will span two days, July 25 & 26, at the Sheraton New Orleans, and just like last year we plan to bring you a ton of interviews. We'll be live on site both days from 7a-2p. The only difference from last year is that the division days will be flipped- the West will go first on Tuesday with the East following Wednesday.

I have not seen our interview schedules yet, but the league is great to work with so I anticipate checking in with most of if not all of the league's coaches and student athletes, plus Commish Gill, over the two days. Being live radio, things will inevitably change while we're there, but I'll post schedules here and on social at @Kara_Richey when we see them. The student athletes repping the West can be found here, with the East attendees announced Wed, July 12.

Would also love to get info about what media members from around the league will be on site to cover your school, especially from the four most recent additions. This is a solid list to follow for those of you on twitter looking for coverage, but I'm always down to learn more about the folks covering the league! And of course, there will be coverage on the Plus, too.

Our streaming is at 953theticket.com or on the Tune In app by searching for KNEA. We'll also have the full interviews archived on the website if you're not able to join us live. Hope you can tune in!

The SBC has released its media day attendees for both divisions which can be found below:

• SBC - East
  

• SBC - West
  

My prediction of the coach's poll.
Note: It's not *my* predicted order of finish and in fact mine would look pretty different at least in the East.

East:
1. Coastal
2. Marshall
3. App State
4. JMU (Just so we're clear I would have JMU #1 as the unofficial champ but I think the dukes will get bulletin board material)
5. Georgia Southern
6. Georgia State
7. ODU

West:
1. Troy
2. South Alabama
3. Southern Miss
4. Louisiana
5. Arkansas State
6. Texas State
7. ULM

(07-24-2023 09:17 AM)EigenEagle Wrote: [ -> ]My prediction of the coach's poll.
Note: It's not *my* predicted order of finish and in fact mine would look pretty different at least in the East.

East:
1. Coastal
2. Marshall
3. App State
4. JMU (Just so we're clear I would have JMU #1 as the unofficial champ but I think the dukes will get bulletin board material)
5. Georgia Southern
6. Georgia State
7. ODU

West:
1. Troy
2. South Alabama
3. Southern Miss
4. Louisiana
5. Arkansas State
6. Texas State
7. ULM

I'm betting the coaches have USA at #1 in the west, and #1 overall. Not sure they pick Coastal #1, with a new coaching staff. Won't reveal my entire list until later, but I'd put App at #1 in the east. I think they're making a comeback.

(07-24-2023 09:17 AM)EigenEagle Wrote: [ -> ]My prediction of the coach's poll.
Note: It's not *my* predicted order of finish and in fact mine would look pretty different at least in the East.

East:
1. Coastal
2. Marshall
3. App State
4. JMU (Just so we're clear I would have JMU #1 as the unofficial champ but I think the dukes will get bulletin board material)
5. Georgia Southern
6. Georgia State
7. ODU

West:
1. Troy
2. South Alabama
3. Southern Miss
4. Louisiana
5. Arkansas State
6. Texas State
7. ULM

I say...
East
1. Marshall
2. App
3. GS
4. JMU
5. GSU
6. Coastal
7. ODU

West
1. USA
2. Troy
3. Louisiana
4. USM
5. stAte
6. Texas St
7. ULM

Bottom 3 on each side should be easy, maybe not the order. Though ODU and ULM will be last. TXST and stAte plus two GA schools for the other four.

https://sunbeltsports.org/news/2023/7/24...-poll.aspx

That spread of first-place votes in the East is wild.

East Division
1. James Madison – 78 Points (4)
2. App State – 75 Points (4)
3. Coastal Carolina – 71 Points (3)
4. Marshall – 68 Points (2)
5. Georgia Southern – 52 Points (1)
6. Georgia State – 31 Points
7. Old Dominion – 17 Points

West Division
1. Troy – 92 Points (10)
2. South Alabama – 85 Points (4)
3. Louisiana – 64 Points
4. Southern Miss – 62 Points
5. Texas State – 36 Points
6. Arkansas State – 33 Points
7. ULM – 20 Points

Georgia Southern got a 1st place vote?

Does someone know something I don't?

(07-24-2023 12:27 PM)CardinalBlackTrojan Wrote: [ -> ]Georgia Southern got a 1st place vote?

Does someone know something I don't?

Clay Helton is very self confident.

(07-24-2023 12:27 PM)CardinalBlackTrojan Wrote: [ -> ]Georgia Southern got a 1st place vote?

Does someone know something I don't?

Given it’s the coaches voting, maybe Georgia Southern’s coach thinks he is good?

No idea if voting rules would prevent that.

I do expect a battle in the east, and Georgia Southern was one of our toughest games last year (along with Louisville, App, Marshall)

(07-24-2023 12:27 PM)CardinalBlackTrojan Wrote: [ -> ]Georgia Southern got a 1st place vote?

Does someone know something I don't?

Well, we beat the top 2 in the East, and lost to #3 on the road at the last minute and we're in year 2 in a transition away from the option and the defense will at least regress to the mean upward.

The East is a log-jam.

Sun Belt Football Media Days Main Stage & Broadcast Schedule Announced

SBC Media Days - The Final Countdown
Tuesday – 9:30 a.m. CT ESPN+ | 1:30 p.m. CT ESPN+
Wednesday – 9:30 a.m. CT ESPN+ | 1:30 p.m. CT ESPN+

I found the flights in today from Arkansas State and I believe ULM

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N411.../KJBR/KNEW

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N742.../KMLU/KNEW

The flights from App State and ODU tomorrow are already scheduled.

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N831.../KORF/KNEW

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N251.../KUKF/KNEW

Number of all-conference selections (not including specialists) for each team in the East.

1. James Madison 3
2. App State 2
3. Coastal 5
4. Marshall 6
5. Georgia Southern 4
6. Georgia State 5
7. Old Dominion 1

So 3-6 all have more selections than 1 and 2.

Yea, we’ll see.

Coaching lives matter and that can make a lot of difference, stars and rep pts aside.

Who gon beat dem Dukes?

Lesss Goooo!!!!

100% increase in viewership. Hopefully this leads to even more dollars and coverage from ESPN.

Gill "We feel good with 14 and are happy with the 14 we have and have no plans to expand in the near future." He did say that if a move made sense they would surely discuss it then.

Gill also is talking about how everyone feels good about divisions and the regional rivals being well developed here and no plan to scrap them at any point unless data really points them in a different direction. This was in response about most conferences dropping them in football.

(07-25-2023 10:20 AM)TroyFootball05 Wrote: [ -> ]100% increase in viewership. Hopefully this leads to even more dollars and coverage from ESPN.