Tons and Tons of thoughts
I've read most of the threads. I've read the excuses. I've read the smack. As someone who has covered this league since it's inception, I'll say this was one heck of a year for the Sun Belt. I'm ecstatic that JMU, ODU, Marshall and USM are in the league. Here are my thoughts on some things.
1. I was right. Let's start there. I started a thread back in August asking who was being the most undervalued. I said it was JMU and most folks disagreed with me. I don't know if they're the best team in the league (I really like Troy a lot), but they were, at worst, the second best team. Congrats to the Dukes
2. Waivers: I understand JMU has applied for a waiver. It might have a puncher's chance considering we're going to have at least two teams that are 5-7 or 6-6 with two FCS wins. I do NOT expect them to get the waiver, however.
Meanwhile, App also has a punchers chance if they ask for a waiver. Army, if they beat Navy, would be put in that category as well. Otherwise, two 5-7 schools are going to get in. They are Rice and UNLV. (APR decides that.)
3. I thought CCU played as uninspired as any team I've seen in a while. And, while the absence of McCall really hurt, he doesn't play defense. I don't think CCU cared much about this game. They just had no fight in them...at all. I also think JMU wins even if McCall is healthy and the division was on the line. The Dukes are just better, in my opinion.
And, if there are folks who insist McCall would have made that big a difference, then it means Jamey Chadwell should not be considered for a P5 job.
4. The Sun Belt honors an Offensive POY, a Defensive POY and an overall POY. More often than not, three different players are honored. I'm convinced Centeio and Martial are two of the three. Centeio gets my vote for POY. The question is, will McCall or Laborn get an OPY? It's possible, and also possible that one player (either Centeio or Martial) win two.
5. Congratulations to the league. Seven bowl eligible teams is pretty impressive.
6. When the league's best and most bitter rivalry is played for bowl eligibility and it goes to double overtime and has over 1,000 yards in offense, it qualifies as the Game of the Year. Thanks for the entertainment, App and GS.
7. Sumrall gets my vote as Coach of the Year.
I guess we can start speculating who is going where for bowls. And, of course, who is going to win the Championship next Saturday in Troy AL.
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