(01-04-2019 10:51 PM)APPdiesel Wrote:  Whether or not the Sunbelt's upward trajectory continues depends on how Troy and App State weather the storm of coaching change (No disrespect to Ga Southern fans I'll explain later). App and Troy are rising brands. Both are just on the edge of gaining critical mass. Both have been ranked. One has two marquee power 5 wins. Either or both taking a step back sets the league as a whole way back.

If App and Troy stumble Georgia Southern could be the toast of the league next year but they need 3 more 10 win seasons to get on the same brand level as App and Troy. They're 30 wins away from achieving that same critical mass. That's not to say they couldn't do it, but in the eyes of national writers being a good G5 one year isn't good enough. You have to be good for three.

While i agree the Sun Belt needs App State and Troy to continue being successful. for upward trajectory to continue, the conference needs a 3rd and/or 4th team to step into that group also. we thought stAte would have been that, but they cant close the deal, Georgia Southern ( this years team got a good start on this) and Louisiana seems to be the next teams with that opportunity. without adding a 3rd or 4th team to the group, the Sun Belt will plateau.