Rick Figurin
pigskinpress.com

Arkansas State-Steve Roberts
This is one of the toughest calls we’ve had to make on the coaches stock watch. On on one hand, Roberts has led ASU to a bowl, beat Texas A&M, Memphis, SMU, and produced two NFL draft picks. On the other hand, ASU seems to be under-achieving, more so in conference than in non-conference and that’s a problem. We feel that Roberts should be able to produce eight wins this season, if not it may be time to bring in a different coach as the program is headed in the right direction and can’t afford to become stagnant.
Stock: Shakey!

Florida Atlantic-Howard Schnellenberger
It’s hard to believe that just a few years ago FAU was a laughing stock in the college football ranks. Just a few years later, Schnella’s Fellas have back-to-back bowl wins, are recruiting stronger, and are quite possibly the best up-and-coming football program in the FBS. Schnellenberger’s attitude is contagious, and the Owls will soon be a consistent 8-win team.
Stock: Sizzling

FIU-Mario Cristobal
Cristobal did a fine job with the Golden Panthers in 2007 and recruiting T.Y. Hilton was a specatacular find. That being said, FIU is being overshadowed by FAU’s success and needs to get a big non-conference or in-state win to garner some attention. That being said, their progress is slow, but it is progress and that’s enough for now.
Stock: Rising

Louisiana-Ricky Bustle
Louisiana played terrifically against bigger, badder competition last season like Illinois and Kansas State, but at the end of the day, they didn’t bring that competitive piece to their Sun Belt schedule. Bustle is 32-50 in 7 seasons, and that doesn’t cut it for a proud program like the Ragin’ Cajuns. Bustle is not bringing in the solid recruits it will take to compete with the new world order that’s coming to the Sun Belt (Troy, FAU, MTSU). Louisiana needs a change, and they need it now.
Stock: Plummeting

ULM-Charlie Weatherbie
Weatherbie is starting to gain some steam on the recruiting trail, but it’s not translating to wins on the football field. Landing players like Cade Burks and Luther Ambrose is great, but the program is suffering and ULM needs to go another direction. Unless ULM pulls seven wins out of their helmet, it’s time to pull the plug in Monroe.
Stock: Plummeting

MTSU-Rick Stockstill
We’ve made no secret that we feel Rick Stockstill is a terrific coach and as such we expect terrific results. While this season may be great for MTSU, last season was a letdown. We have been critical of Stockstill’s use (or lack thereof) of Desmond Gee, but kids want to play at MTSU and it shows in the recruits he’s brought in. Stockstill seems to rise to the occasion against the big boys, but like Steve Roberts, struggles at times in the Sun Belt. If MTSU falters in 2009, Blue Raiders fans will be scratching their heads, and so will we.
Stock: Dropping

North Texas-Todd Dodge
Dodge has done a great job of recruiting thus far, now it’s time to put up or shut up! Nearly every starting player will be a Dodge recruit, and now North Texas has to win some games. If the Mean Green can get four wins, we will consider that a success; after all, they are still a young team. Another one or two win season will be serious cause for concern in Denton.
Stock: Steady

Troy-Larry Blakeney
Personally, if I were Tennessee I would have put out serious feelers to see if Blakeney would have had any interest in the job. They didn’t, and that’s great news for Troy who continues to build their dynasty towards the best non-BCS team in the south (heads up S. Miss). Blakeney is a great coach and recruiter who is starting to build a Fresno State reputation in his program that could scare some BCS teams. Blakeney is hands down the best coach in the SBC.
Stock: Sizzling

Rick Figurin
pigskinpress.com

A-Arnold, Reggie- Could Arnold make it 4 straight 1,000 yard seasons for ASU? If so, it could mean the second straight year that a Red Wolve’s player finds himself as a late round draft pick in the NFL; it may also mean SBC player of the year.




B-Boris (Lee) and the Bear (Woods)- The talented seniors are a force to be reckoned with in the Troy linebacking core. The two combined for 234 combined tackles and if healthy, will add to that total in 2009. Troy will need big-time play to help offset significant losses in the secondary.

C-Cortez Gent- The Owls WR is a talent, but dropped below the 1,000 yard mark in 2008. The senior needs to step up and be a true #1 target if FAU and QB Rusty Smith hope to go bowling for a third straight year.

D-Defensive Improvement- Both Louisiana and North Texas have a chance to be competitive with the large majority of their defenses returning in 2009. If they continue to give up big numbers (33.7 ppg and 47.6 ppg) to opposing offenses, there will be some hot seats for both Ricky Bustle and Todd Dodge!

E-Edrick Gilmore- As a senior, it’s time for Gilmore to step it up at North Texas. If Gilmore’s performance stays flat after week #2, look for increased playing time for So. Kyle Russo and Jr. Marquis Sykes.

F-Florida International- Can Mario Cristobal keep the improvement alive? If the Golden Panthers win six games, don’t be shocked to hear his name bantered about for other jobs.

G-Greg James- Despite some trouble, the ULM safety will play in 2009. ULM returns a strong secondary, and will be called upon to anchor the ULM defense. James could really help the Warhawks who have a decent shot at bowl eligibility.

H-Jason Harmon- Harmon’s return to the FAU offense will be crucial if Rusty Smith hopes to regain the NFL momentum he was building after the 2007 campaign. Harmon is the best TE in the conference and could be a late-rounder in the 2010 NFL draft.

I-Iowa hosts ASU-This is a potential upset game. Sandwiched between Penn State and Michigan (Homecoming), this could be an ideal trap door game for the Hawkeyes. Look for Arkansas State to stage the upset.

J-Jerrel Jernigan and Josh Jarboe- The “J-Crew” has high expectations for 2009, and could pull in a combined 2,000 yards for QB Levi Brown.

K-Kyle Pirtle-The Louisiana tackle will have the undaunting task of protecting new UL starting QB Brad McGuire. Luckily, the Cajuns open with Southern and Kansas State at home before traveling to LSU and Nebraska. Pirtle is fairly nimble for 300 lbs, but will need to keep space between himself and DE’s better this season.

L-Luther Ambrose-The ULM sophomore kick returner was largely overshadowed by the success of FIU freshman TY Hilton, but managed 22.7 yards per kick return, including one for a TD. Look for Ambrose to push Hilton for 1st team all-conference honors as well as contribute more on offense; apologies to Troy’s Jorrick Colvin, who has great skill as well.

M-MTSU-The wild card team of the conference. With 10 returning starters on offense, the Blue Raiders could be the dark horse conference champion. Unfortunately, they draw both Troy and FAU on the road; don’t be surprised if the upset Mississippi State on Oct. 17th.

N-Nwigwe, Tobe-The North Texas linebacker was the lone bright spot on an awful defense last season and will be called upon to lead an experienced defensive core in 2009. At 251 lbs., Nwigwe is extremely effective and quick for his weight.

O-Offensive Lines-Top to bottom, this is the best and most experienced group of lineman the conference has ever seen. FIU, MTSU, and ULM will all see vast improvement on the ground and will be more competitive in non-conference play.

P-Polo, Tavious-After a disappointing 2008, the FAU DB is poised to return to his freshman form. Look for Polo to have a 1st team all-conference year once again.


Q-Quinterrance Cooper- The converted QB make a solid contribution to the Western Kentucky reciving core, and will be called upon to step up his game as the Hilltoppers will be playing from behind quite often.

R-Ricky Bustle-With a win-loss record of 32-50, the Louisiana head coach may be approaching his swan song in Lafayette. The Cajuns showed some signs of life in 2008, but are starting from scratch at key positions this year. Can Bustle go .500 and save his job?

S-September, 19th-The day when FAU could roll into Columbia, SC and give Steve Spurrier’s Gamecocks a fit! The game is nicely hidden between Georgia and Ole Miss and the Owls could make a name for the conference with a big upset.

T-T.Y. Hilton- Had an incredible freshman year for FIU as a receiver and kick returner. The question is how he will play with a target on his back. RB Darriet Perry could be

U-Undrae Sails- No Player in the SBC has bigger shoes to fill than this former JUCO RB. Sails did very little to warrant replacing Tyrell Fenroy as the starter at Louisiana, yet all signs point to this being the case. Will have great scrutiny if he falters early.

V-Victor Gill- The North Texas tackle will get first crack at protecting QB Riley Dodge, who is the most heralded player in conference history. Gill started 11 games last year and did a good job, but will need to be quicker to the point of contact on the pass rush.

W-Western Kentucky- The Hilltoppers become a full time member of the SBC. Could be a rough season, but WKU has some talent and will pull a couple of conference upsets.

X-X-Sooners-  Both UNT WR Tyler Stradford, and Troy WR Josh Jarboe will be significant offensive weapons in their respective systems and open the door to other great players who are riding the bench at Big-12 schools.

Y-Yetti- Large creature that could be spotted at SBC game this year (yeah, Y was a tough one!).

Z-Zanders, Antwyne- Highly underrated linebacker who could break 100 tackles as a senior for the Ragin’ Cajuns.