http://philsteele.com/Blogs/2012/July12/DBJuly2.html

Percentage of Roster Filled with Upperclassmen:

1. Western Kentucky
2. Troy
3. FIU
4. Arkansas State
5. South Alabama
6. Louisiana
7. Middle Tennessee
8. Florida Atlantic
9. North Texas
10. Louisiana-Monroe

(07-02-2012 04:45 PM)TroyFootball05 Wrote:  http://philsteele.com/Blogs/2012/July12/DBJuly2.html

Percentage of Roster Filled with Upperclassmen:

1. Western Kentucky
2. Troy
3. FIU
4. Arkansas State
5. South Alabama
6. Louisiana
7. Middle Tennessee
8. Florida Atlantic
9. North Texas
10. Louisiana-Monroe

Makes sense with the top 4 all considered contenders for the SBC championship. Troy's numbers might be a bit scewed due to the large number of JC's signed in the 2012 Class. This is Hudspeth's second year, so the Cajuns are still young at some positions but have upper classmen in many starting positions. ULM has talent to play with anyone, but this is why some don't consider them contenders this season. You still need depth to compete in the fourth quarter.

[attachment=4161][attachment=4161]

(07-02-2012 04:45 PM)TroyFootball05 Wrote:  http://philsteele.com/Blogs/2012/July12/DBJuly2.html

Percentage of Roster Filled with Upperclassmen:

1. Western Kentucky
2. Troy
3. FIU
4. Arkansas State
5. South Alabama
6. Louisiana
7. Middle Tennessee
8. Florida Atlantic
9. North Texas
10. Louisiana-Monroe

I thought the roster sizes for the conference teams were highly varied. I tried putting this in a format to make it easier to read without much luck, so I added as a jpeg.

[attachment=4161]

Thanks for sharing. Interesting information.

ULM has a lot of redshirts eligible this year. Berry has worked to establish a large group of redshirts every year and this will be the first year that we'll see how it pans out. Unless some good things happen this season it is most likely that the Warhawks will be a top SBC contender in 2013.

The issue will be experience, not talent, on the defensive side of the ball although it could be argued that we will have the best and deepest linebacking group in the Sun Belt. We definitely have youngsters behind our starters in the DL and the secondary.

If our O-line plays better than last year then we'll have a very dangerous offense (and if we stay healthy). If not, then we'll have good games and bad games depending on how things work out. We're deep at RB and WR, and good thourgh our top two at quarterback with a couple of good youngsters behind them.

(07-02-2012 09:15 PM)SOT1977 Wrote:  ULM has a lot of redshirts eligible this year. Berry has worked to establish a large group of redshirts every year and this will be the first year that we'll see how it pans out. Unless some good things happen this season it is most likely that the Warhawks will be a top SBC contender in 2013.

The issue will be experience, not talent, on the defensive side of the ball although it could be argued that we will have the best and deepest linebacking group in the Sun Belt. We definitely have youngsters behind our starters in the DL and the secondary.

If our O-line plays better than last year then we'll have a very dangerous offense (and if we stay healthy). If not, then we'll have good games and bad games depending on how things work out. We're deep at RB and WR, and good thourgh our top two at quarterback with a couple of good youngsters behind them.

Sott1977, I agree ULM does not have a problem with the lack of talent. I think ULM will knock off a few favorites this year because the starting unit has enough talent to win in the SBC. I think you guys lost a few close games last year due to the lack of experience in the depth chart. Should be an interesting season in the second half for you guys as the younger athletes gain game experience.

I have the feeling that this season will be just as unusual and exciting for the Sun Belt as last year was. After 2011 I'm not sure I would trust anybody's predictions for 2012. I don't think the surprises are over yet.

I remember back during the Hollis error that one of the national magazines previewing ASU said, "The bad news is Arkansas State loses 10 starters on defense. The good news is ASU loses 10 starters from one of the worst defenses in the country."

Upperclassmen / underclassmen ratio is most important on the lines at other positions, underclassmen are far more likely to be contributors.