2007 Midseason Report - Sun Belt

[jperg2]

SOURCE: http://cfn.scout.com/2/691560.html

Offensive Player of the Midseason

Omar Haugabook, QB Troy

Defensive Player of the Midseason

Frantz Joseph, LB Florida Atlantic

Ten best Sun Belt players in the first half of the season

1. Omar Haugabook, QB Troy

2. Calvin Dawson, RB UL Monroe

3. Michael Desormeaux, QB UL Lafayette

4. Frantz Joseph, LB Florida Atlantic

5. Tavious Polo, CB Florida Atlantic

6. Corey Leonard, QB Arkansas State

7. Rusty Smith, QB Florida Atlantic

8. Tyrell Johnson, SS Arkansas State

9. Boris Lee, LB Troy

10. Tyrell Fenroy, RB UL Lafayette

Biggest Surprise – Two big non-conference wins

The league represented itself relatively well overall in non-conference play, and it made its biggest splash when Florida Atlantic shocked Minnesota 42-39, and Troy annihilated Oklahoma State 41-23 on national TV.

Biggest Disappointment – UL Lafayette

The defense had enough key parts back to be effective, while the offense was expected to be the Sun Belt's most explosive. While the O has had its moments, the defense has been non-existent, especially against the run, and a team expected to be a major challenger for the Sun Belt title has started out 1-6 overall.

The Sun Belt Champion will be ... Troy.

It'll all come down to the season ending showdown with a much-improved Florida Atlantic. Until then, the Trojans appear to be the class of the league, and ready to go to the New Orleans Bowl for the season straight year.

Best Game of the First Half

Virginia 23 ... Middle Tennessee 21, Oct. 6

Virginia survived with Chris Gould nailing a 34-yard field goal with eight seconds to go. Middle Tennessee got two first half touchdown passes from Dwight Dasher for a 14-7 lead, and got up 21-20 after converting an interception into a one-yard DeMarco McNair touchdown run midway through the fourth. The Cavalier offense got two touchdowns from Andrew Pearman and a 20-yard John Phillips touchdown catch, but had to go 63 yards in eight plays to pull get Gould in a position to win.

Second Best Game – Arkansas State 35 ... Memphis 31, Sept. 29

Third Best Game – SMU 45 ... North Texas 31, Sept. 8

Worst Game of the First Half

Penn State 59 ... Florida International 0, Sept. 1

Anthony Morelli threw three touchdowns passes, Austin Scott rumbled for two short scores, and the Nittany Lion defense dominated in the easy win. Penn State got up 24-0 in the first half highlighted by a 17-yard Mickey Shuler touchdown catch, and then exploded for 28 points in the third quarter. FIU managed just seven first downs and was outgained 236 yards to -3 on the ground, and 549 yards to 114 overall.

Coach of the Midseason – Howard Schnellenberger, Florida Atlantic

With a defense that takes away everything, and an offense that gets just enough all-around pop to get by, FAU has become a dangerous team that'll be in the hunt until the season's end. Schnellenberger has created a tremendous program, and a strong team that'll only get better.

Player who'll step up in the second half – North Texas QB Giovanni Vizza

The keys to the race car have been turned over to the freshman, and Todd Dodge and the coaching staff will hope they have a star to build around for the next few years. Rizza has a good arm, but his legs are just as important to the improvement of the high-octane offense.

Best performance so far - North Texas QB Daniel Meager completed 46 of 64 passes for 601 yards and three touchdowns with three interceptions, and Casey Fitzgerald caught 18 passes for 327 yards and two touchdown in the loss to SMU.

Top Freshman – Dwight Dasher, QB Middle Tennessee

His passing has been efficient, but it's been his running that'll make the Blue Raiders dangerous for the second half of the year. He could grow into the Sun Belt's best offensive weapon over the next few years.

Coach who needs to have a big second half – UL Monroe's Charlie Weatherbie

A 1-5 start and the potential for another disappointing season might mean a change if things don't quickly turn around for the WarHawks. Weatherbie is just 16-36 so far.

Player who needs to have a big second half – Corey Leonard, QB Arkansas State

The Indians are in the thick of the Sun Belt title hunt, and control their own destiny. To pull off a trip to New Orleans, Leonard has to be terrific, and consistent. One week he's off, and ASU loses to UL Monroe. The next week he's on, and he throws five touchdown passes and blows out UL Lafayette. If he's sharp, ASU will be a nasty team to beat.

Best remaining conference game – Florida Atlantic at Troy, Dec. 1

Arkansas State and Middle Tennessee will have their say in the race, but the season-ender against the Owls and Trojans will impact the title in one way or another.

Team Mid-Season MVPs & Predictions

Arkansas State – QB Corey Leonard

predicted wins: at Middle Tennessee, Troy, Florida International, North Texas

predicted losses: at Florida Atlantic, at Southern Miss

predicted record: 7-5

Florida Atlantic – LB Frantz Joseph

predicted wins: at UL Lafayette, UL Monroe, Arkansas State, at Florida International

predicted losses: at Florida, at Troy

predicted record: 7-5

FIU – QB Wayne Younger

predicted wins: North Texas

predicted losses: at UL Monroe, at Arkansas, at Arkansas State, UL Lafayette, Florida Atlantic

predicted record: 1-11

Middle Tennessee – QB Dwight Dasher

predicted wins: at North Texas, at UL Monroe, UL Lafayette

predicted losses: Arkansas State, at Troy

predicted record: 5-7

North Texas – WR Casey Fitzgerald

predicted wins: None

predicted losses: at Troy, Middle Tennessee, Navy, at Arkansas State, Western Kentucky, at Florida International

predicted record: 2-10

Troy – QB Omar Haugabook

predicted wins: North Texas, at Western Kentucky, Middle Tennessee, Florida Atlantic

predicted losses: at Arkansas State, at Georgia

predicted record: 8-4

UL Lafayette – RB Tyrell Fenroy

predicted wins: at Florida International, UL Monroe

predicted losses: Florida Atlantic, at Tennessee, at Middle Tennessee

predicted record: 3-9

UL Monroe – RB Calvin Dawson

predicted wins: Florida International, Grambling

predicted losses: at Florida Atlantic, Middle Tennessee, at Alabama, at UL Lafayette

[Mean Green 93-98]

No wins predicted, but he predicts a 2-10 record for us? Methinks the man needs a primer in first grade arithmetic.

[Censored by Laurie]

Things to like:

1. We were not a part of the worst Sun Belt game this season...according to this report anyways.

2. Vizza is getting lots of good pub and attention.

3. This study either can't do math or thinks we beat SMU (maybe just looked at Meager's numbers and assumed we should have) but they don't predict us to get another win, yet give us a 2-10 record at the end of the year...maybe we get a bowl bid and win?

[Censored by Laurie]

Oh...and 4. We all but shut down the leagues second best player...now on to the leagues best player.

[unt88]

SOURCE: http://cfn.scout.com/2/691560.html

North Texas – WR Casey Fitzgerald

predicted wins: None

predicted losses: at Troy, Middle Tennessee, Navy, at Arkansas State, Western Kentucky, at Florida International

predicted record: 2-10

How can you have no predicted wins but end up with a 2-10 season? No math wiz here but that sounds like one predicted win.

[akriesman]

I think the writer is just being kind regarding the worst game. IMO it had to be our game against OU. I am a Penn State fan 2nd to UNT. The PSU/FIU game was not as bad as our game against OU. Penn State is not as dangerous as OU.

We will not lose to FIU. I expect our team to click more as the season goes on. FIU is a team in trouble right now.

Plus, we will also pull off another win or two in addition to FIU for a 3 or 4 win season. That would be a nice way to end TD's first year.

[Mean Green 93-98]

I am a Penn State fan 2nd to UNT.

Right on!

[SCREAMING EAGLE-66]

No wins predicted, but he predicts a 2-10 record for us? Methinks the man needs a primer in first grade arithmetic.

--Well maybe... it could be he thinks we will win one of them but will not predict which one so-- since he predicts on a an individual basis --he predicts all as losses. From a probablity (or gamblers) point of view that would make sense. That way you would get one wrong but the remaining predictions (5 of them) correct. Getting 84% correct would be very good.

Math Major (a couple of degrees)

[MeanGreenBuzz]

I'm just wondering how the 4th best WR in the nation doesn't make the Sun Belt top 10 players of the first half...

[Travis]

I'm just wondering how the 4th best WR in the nation doesn't make the Sun Belt top 10 players of the first half...

I was wondering the same thing.

[Eagle1855]

I was wondering the same thing.

because the Sun Belt is so awesome, hellooo.

1 down, 6 to go. Troy is going to get upset this week as NT ruins homecoming. Enter Todd Dodge era...

Edited October 17, 2007 by Eagle1855

[Quoner]

Rizza has a good arm, but his legs are just as important to the improvement of the high-octane offense.

Just wait until next year when we add Ghost Face Killa, the ghost of Ol' Dirty Bastard and Raekwon to our backfield. Wu Tang Clan ain't nothin' to f*** with!

[UNT Mean Green]

How in the world can Casey Fitzgerald not be mentioned as one of the 10 best Sun Belt players in the first half?

Also, top Freshman would have to include Giovanni Vizza and Micah Mosley as potential candidates, wouldn't it?

[Green92]

Vizza and Mosley may not have enough touches to warrant consideration.

[Green Crazy]

Just wait until next year when we add Ghost Face Killa, the ghost of Ol' Dirty Bastard and Raekwon to our backfield. Wu Tang Clan ain't nothin' to f*** with!

i was wondering if anyone would put that togeather. method man could be the new dc.

[GreenBat]

We will not lose to FIU. I expect our team to click more as the season goes on. FIU is a team in trouble right now.

Plus, we will also pull off another win or two in addition to FIU for a 3 or 4 win season. That would be a nice way to end TD's first year.

I have always said. CFN employs a bunch of Morons, who know nothing about the majority of the conferences the write on.

It would shock me if anyone who writes for CFN has seen a SunBelt team play in person. And I'd be willing to bet money they have not seen a North Texas

game.

I'm just wondering how the 4th best WR in the nation doesn't make the Sun Belt top 10 players of the first half...

Fitz is one of the top players in the country. He might not have the size or speed of Linus Sweed or Malcom Kelly. He is like Wes Welker. He does nothing

back make plays.

How can you have no predicted wins but end up with a 2-10 season? No math wiz here but that sounds like one predicted win.

It is because CFN employs the most uninformed writers and the Editors are not talented enough with the english language to be writers.

[Cerebus]

It is because CFN employs the most uninformed writers and the Editors are not talented enough with the english language to be writers.

So what your sayin is.... I got a chance?

[GreenBat]

So what your sayin is.... I got a chance?

You couldn't be an editor at CFN, you have an understanding of the English language and know how to check facts. A writer, maybe. No you couldn't be a writer for CFN. You're too intelligent and know the value of research, rather than just spewing uninformed opinions.

[GreenBat]

Yea, TTG you probably are low enough on the talent level to get a job at CFN. j/k

Your sense of humor would be wasted there.

[Quoner]

Yea, TTG you probably are low enough on the talent level to get a job at CFN. j/k

Your sense of humor would be wasted there.

I actually bought CFN today with the change left from my lunch. I'm taking it in a new direction...

More balls.

[greenminer]

I like reading CFN. They may not be conference specialists, but I dig their overall outlook on things.

A couple seasons ago one of their columnists said to the effect, "of course I'm not going to know as much about the Sun Belt as a North Texas fan is. A Sun Belt fan is going to know the intricacies of Sun Belt team vs. Sun Belt team in week 7 as good or better than I. But what I do is look at the big picture: Sun Belter vs. Ohio State in week 2. or WAC team vs. SEC team in week 3."

That's paraphrasing big time. I'll see if I can find the writeup.