I am behind on passing this information on, but here is the bowl schedule that was released on July 10 by the Football Bowl Association. There are a total of 35 bowl games for 2012-13. Gildan New Mexico Bowl: Dec. 15, Mountain West vs. Pac-12 Famous Idaho Potato Bow: Dec. 15, MAC vs. WAC San Diego County Credit Union Poinsietta: Dec. 20, Mountain West vs. BYU Beef O' Brady's St. Petersburg: Dec. 21, Big East vs. C-USA R+L Carriers New Orleans: Dec. 22, C-USA vs. Sun Belt MAACO Las Vegas: Dec. 22, Moutain West vs. Pac-12, Sheraton Hawaii: Dec. 24, C-USA vs Mountain West Little Caesars: Dec. 26, Big Ten vs. MAC Military presented by Northrop Grumman: Dec. 27, ACC vs. Army Belk: Dec. 27, ACC vs. Big East Bridgepoint Education Holiday: Dec. 27, Big 12 vs. Pac-12 Advocare V100 Independence: Dec. 28, ACC vs. SEC Russell Athletic: Dec. 28, ACC vs. Big East Meineke Car Care of Texas: Dec. 28, Big Ten vs. Big 12 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces: Dec. 29, C-USA vs. Mountain West Kraft Fight Hunger: Dec. 29, Pac-12 vs. Navy New Era Pinstripe: Dec. 29, Big East vs. Big 12 Valero Alamo: Dec. 29, Big 12 vs. Pac-12 Valley of the Sun: Dec. 29, Big Ten vs. Big 12 Franklin American Mortgage Music City: Dec. 31, SEC vs. ACC Hyundai Sun Bowl: Dec. 31, ACC vs. Pac-12 Autozone Liberty: Dec. 31, SEC/ Big East/ C-USA Chick-fil-A: Dec. 31, ACC vs. SEC TicketCity: Jan. 1, Big Ten vs. C-USA TaxSlayer.com Gator: Jan. 1, SEC vs. Big Ten Capital One: Jan. 1, SEC vs. Big Ten Outback: Jan.1, SEC vs. Big Ten Rose Bowl Game presented by VIZIO: Jan. 1, BCS vs. BCS Discover Orange: Jan. 1, BCS vs. BCS Allstate Sugar: Jan. 2, BCS vs. BCS Tostitos Fiesta Bowl: Jan. 3, BCS vs. BCS AT&T Cotton: Jan. 4, SEC vs. Big 12 BBVA Compass: Jan. 5, Big East vs. SEC GoDaddy.com: Jan. 6, MAC vs. Sun Belt Discover BCS National Championship: Jan. 7, BCS #1 vs. BCS #2 Bowl Championship Series- The BCS will have the following conference champions host bowl games when not participating in the BCS National Championship Game: Rose Bowl- Big Ten and Pac-12, Orange Bowl-ACC, Allstate Sugar- SEC, Tostitos Fiesta Bowl- Big 12. ESPN will cover the majority of the games. You can find more on the bowl times, TV stations, and other information at FootballBowlAssociation.com.
 The 2012 season looks to be a competitive one for the Sun Belt conference. All teams except one bring back starting quarterbacks. The Sun Belt is mostly loaded with offense, but is sprinkled with some defense like that of FIU (14th nationally in points allowed per game). Expect highly talented quarterbacks, Ryan Aplin of Arkansas State and Blaine Gautier of Louisiana-Lafayette, to both light up the field again this season.
Of course, the Sun Belt is not near the power of a major BCS conference, but they may be able to inch their way up over the next couple years and be one of the better non-BCS conferences. It is realistic to think that they may have a team ranked in the top 25 either this season or next with up-coming teams like Arkansas State, Louisiana-Lafayette, and the pre-mentioned FIU. Just last season, five non-BCS teams finished in a top 25 poll ending for 2011 (Boise State, TCU, Houston, Southern Mississippi, and BYU).
Here is a summary of each Sun Belt team including programs entering and leaving the conference in 2013. Team name, record, points per game, and points allowed per game are listed from 2011 above each team's notes. There are loads of information given along with the notes and more after the breakdowns of the teams.
Arkansas State Red Wolves, 10-3 PPG 32.5 PAPG 20.8 Arkansas State has high hopes for 2012 after a Sun Belt conference championship and bowl game appearance last season. Even though former head coach Hugh Freeze is now with Ole Miss, his replacement Arkansas native Gus Malzahn is more than capable after helping the Auburn Tigers win a national title in 2010 as an offensive coordinator. Malzahn should not have many problems with the offensive weapons in place under his high powered fast-paced system, but there are some gaps that need filled on the offensive line and on the other side of the ball where the defense is depleted. Incoming recruits should help with both, but a learning curve can be expected especially with a tough early schedule (Oregon & Nebraska). The Red Wolves have the preseason offensive player of the year as nominated by the coaches, quarterback Ryan Aplin (4,176 total yards & 29 TDs in 2011). He should fit in well under Malzahn's system, but it will still be a challenge to get to double digit wins. Also, tailback Michael Dyer will not be eligible to play until 2013. The running game and young defense will have to step up for them to repeat as conference champions. Returning Starters: 10 Offense: 6 Defense: 4 Specialists 0 Impact Players:QB Ryan Aplin 6'1 205 Sr-R WR Josh Jarboe 6'3 215 Sr WR Taylor Stockemer 6'4 210 Sr-R OL Zack McKnight 6'4 300 Sr-R LB Nathan Herrold 6'3 225 Sr-R DB Don Jones 6'1 208 Sr Top Recruits: LB Eddie Porter 6'3 230 Juco ( 4.6 sec 40-yard dash) OG Michael Flint 6'3 297 OT Jemar Clark 6'6 305 | Head coach Gus Malzahn discusses recruiting in Arkansas.
Schedule
Sept. 1 @ Oregon
Sept. 8 vs Memphis
Sept. 15 @ Nebraska
Sept. 22 vs Alcorn State
Sept. 29 vs Western Kentucky
Oct. 4 @ FIU
Oct. 13 vs South Alabama
Oct. 23 @ Louisiana-Lafayette
Nov. 3 @ North Texas
Nov. 8 vs Louisiana-Monroe
Nov. 17 @ Troy
Dec. 1 vs Middle Tennessee
| Louisiana Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns, 9-4 PPG 32.3 PAPG 29.8 The Ragin' Cajuns rage into the 2012 season looking for more national respect and to continue the momentum that was built at the end of last season off the New Orleans Bowl victory. After 9-4 in his first season at Louisiana-Lafayette, head coach Mark Hudspeth said, "We still aren’t getting near the respect that we want to get .... we are still picked in the 80s, 90s in one poll. ...We want to move way up in the rankings. Winning and winning consistently year in and year out, you can improve that national respect. As a program that is what you want.” Quarterback Blaine Gautier put up big numbers in the New Orleans Bowl against San Diego State (492 total yards) and played well most of last season once taking the helm as starting QB (3,444 total yards in 2011). The defense will have to improve though as evident by the 400 yards and 29.8 points allowed per game in 2011. The Ragin' Cajuns already have a strong fan base. They had the largest attendance increase in the NCAA last season and set a New Orleans Bowl game attendance record at 42,841. The home field advantage may help them win the conference championship with pivotal games against FIU and Arkansas State at home. Returning Starters: 15 Offense: 9 Defense: 4 Special Teams: 2 Impact Players:QB Blaine Gautier 6'0 212 Sr RB Alonzo Harris 6'1 220 So WR Javone Lawson 6'1 183 Sr OL Leonardo Bates 6'5 296 Sr CB Melvin White 6'3 191 Sr K/P Brett Baer 5'11 182 Sr Top Recruits:QB Brooks Haack 6'1 190 ( 4.7 sec 40-yard dash) DE Jalen Fields 6'5 280 LB Tyren Alexander 6'1 200 | Quarterback Blaine Gautier talks about improving during the offseason.
Schedule
Sept. 1 vs Lamar
Sept. 8 @ Troy
Sept. 15 @ Oklahoma State
Sept. 29 vs FIU
Oct. 6 vs Tulane
Oct. 16 @ North Texas
Oct. 23 vs Arkansas State
Nov. 3 vs Louisiana-Monroe
Nov. 10 @ Florida
Nov. 17 vs Western Kentucky
Nov. 24 vs South Alabama
Dec. 1 @ Florida Atlantic
| FIU Panthers, 8-5 PPG 25.0 PAPG 19.5 FIU has by far the best defense in the Sun Belt. The question will be if their defense can maintain the onslaught by the high scoring offenses through conference play in order to win the Sun Belt championship in 2012. The Panthers did gain their first win against a BCS school in a 24-17 victory over Louisville last September. This year's schedule could set them up for a top 25 ranking by season's end since they have winnable games against good out of conference opponents. Head coach Mario Cristobal became a hot commodity in coaching once he took the Panthers to consecutive bowl appearances, but he did recently receive a five year contract extension from the school. The Panthers have loads of experience returning, but they lost two year starting quarterback Wesley Carroll. They do have an offensive threat in running back Kedrick Rhodes which rushed for 1,121 yards last season. Defensive end Tourek Williams and safety Jonathan Cyprien lead an aggressive defense into 2012 that tallied 35 sacks in 2011. FIU is the favorite by many experts to win the conference championship. This is their last season in the Sun Belt and they should go out strong. Returning Starters: 20 Offense: 8 Defense: 10 Specialists: 2 Impact Players:S Jonathan Cyprien 6'0 210 Sr OT Caylin Hauptmann 6'4 312 Sr RB Kedrick Rhodes 5'11 190 Jr WR Wayne Times 5'11 188 Sr DE Tourek Williams 6'4 255 Sr DT Isame Faciane 6'3 295 Jr LB Winston Fraser 6'1 232 Sr Top Recruits:DT Darrian Dyson 6'3 300 WR DeAndre Jasper 5'11 180 ( 4.39 sec 40-yard dash) | Head coach Mario Cristobal talks offense and defense.
Schedule
Sept. 1 @ Duke
Sept. 8 vs Akron
Sept. 15 @ UCF
Sept. 22 vs Louisville
Sept. 29 @ Louisiana-Lafayette
Oct. 4 vs Arkansas State
Oct. 13 vs Middle Tennessee
Oct. 20 @ Troy
Oct. 27 vs Western Kentucky
Nov. 3 @ South Alabama
Nov. 16 @ Florida Atlantic
Nov. 24 vs Lousiana-Monroe
| Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, 7-5 PPG 22.9 PAPG 24.8 The Hilltoppers were bowl eligible in 2011, but were still not selected for post season play. They hope to bridge that small gap from bowl eligible to bowl invitee this season. When head coach Willie Taggart (former Stanford running backs coach) was asked if he had found his Andrew Luck, he jokingly replied, "I'll let you know when I do. I don't need Andrew Luck just a little luck." However, Taggart did lose his Bobby Rainey which rushed for 4,542 career yards and 1,695 yards with 13 rushing touchdowns just last season. Right guard Adam Smith does return and he recorded an awesome 112 pancake blocks in 12 games. Taggart does have an offensive weapon and solid player in tight end Jack Doyle. The tall 6'6 tight end had 614 receiving yards in 2011 and is on the John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List.Linebacker Andrew Jackson was a standout on defense in 2011 by leading the team with 109 total tackles and 17 tackles for loss. Jackson is on multiple preseason watch lists: Rotary Lombardi Award, Butkus Award, and Bronko Nagurski Trophy. The Hilltoppers are a good team, but they have a lot of tough road games that could leave them out of the bowl hunt or hovering somewhere around contention. Returning Starters: 19 Offense: 10 Defense: 8 Specialists: 1 Impact Players:TE Jack Doyle 6'6 251 Sr OG Adam Smith 6'5 322 Sr LB Andrew Jackson 6'1 262 Jr DL Quanterus Smith 6'5 251 Sr Top Recruits:DT Tyrone Pearson 6'3 275 ( 4.8 sec 40-yard dash) | Tight end Jack Doyle speaks on playing football and about his quarterback Kawaun Jakes.
Schedule
Sept. 1 vs Austin Peay
Sept. 8 @ Alabama
Sept. 15 @ Kentucky
Sept. 22 vs Southern Mississippi
Sept. 29 @ Arkansas State
Oct. 11 @ Troy
Oct. 20 vs Louisiana-Monroe
Oct. 27 @ FIU
Nov. 1 vs Middle Tennessee
Nov. 10 vs Florida Atlantic
Nov. 17 @ Louisiana-Lafayette
Nov. 24 vs North Texas
| Troy Trojans, 3-9 PPG 22.4 PAPG 33.7 After a disappointing season, the Troy Trojans should rebound well in 2012 under long tenured head coach Larry Blakeney. The Trojans have a very solid quarterback in Corey Robinson and if the defense can improve, they should be able to win some more games. In 2011, Robinson had 3,411 passing yards with 21 touchdowns, but also threw 15 interceptions. Blakeney acknowledged the rough season for his quarterback, "We had some bad times and he had some tough moments." Troy had their worst season last year since joining the Sun Belt and the defense was terrible. They allowed an atrocious 465 yards and 33.7 points per game in 2011. Relying on running back Shawn Southward may help take the pressure off of Robinson and the defense. Southward had 805 total yards in 2011 and is on the Doak Walker Award Watch List.The Trojans should win a couple more games than last season, but they may not be back to post season play in 2012. It will be a close call and interesting to watch, but having Louisiana-Lafayette, FIU, and Arkansas State all at home may also give them the opportunity to have a complete turnaround. Returning Starters: 16 Offense: 10 Defense: 6 Specialists: 0 Impact Players:QB Corey Robinson 6'2 209 Jr DB Brynden Trawick 6'2 221 Sr DE Tony Davis 6'0 249 Sr WR Eric Thomas 6'1 209 Jr RB Shawn Southward 5'9 192 Sr Top Recruits:WR Brandon Brooks 6'0 185 ( 4.5 sec 40-yard dash) RB Andre Allen 5'9 180 | Head coach Larry Blakeney discusses the play of quarterback Corey Robinson.
Schedule
Sept. 1 @UAB
Sept. 8 vs Louisiana-Lafayette
Sept. 15 vs Mississippi State
Sept. 22 @ North Texas
Sept. 29 @ South Alabama
Oct. 11 vs Western Kentucky
Oct. 20 vs FIU
Oct. 27 @ Florida Atlantic
Nov. 3 @ Tennessee
Nov. 10 vs Navy
Nov. 17 vs Arkansas State
Nov. 24 @ Middle Tennessee
| Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks, 4-8 PPG 24.6 PAPG 25.4 After a bad stint at Army, head coach Todd Berry is 9-15 so far with Louisiana-Monroe. The Warhawks are led by dual threat quarterback Kolton Browning (2,926 total yards) and he hopes to continue to improve under coach Berry's offensive system. According to coach Berry, this is his "most athletic" defense at ULM and his quarterback Browning suffered a broken sternum last year in which he played through. As the same for many other Sun Belt teams, the season does not open well with tough out of conference games at Arkansas and Auburn followed by a game against Baylor at home. The Warhawks have the toughest overall schedule for a Sun Belt team with ranked 76 on the CFU strength of schedule. ULM will improve, but by enough to go to a bowl game is questionable. They will likely fall a win shy of a bowl appearance. Returning Starters: 15
Offense: 8
Defense: 5Specialists: 2 Impact Players:QB Kolton Browning 6'1 198 Jr WR Brent Leonard 6'2 185 Sr LB Cameron Blakes 6'1 230 Sr S Isaiah Newsome 5'11 198 Jr Top Recruits:LB Austin Moss 6'2 224 Juco (4.61 sec 40-yard dash)DB Lenzy Pipkins 6'1 180 (4.45 sec 40-yard dash)
| Head coach Todd Berry talks about skill players on offense and some about the defense.
Schedule
Sept. 8 @ Arkansas
Sept. 15 @ Auburn
Sept. 21 vs Baylor
Sept. 29 @ Tulane
Oct. 6 @ Middle Tennessee
Oct. 13 vs Florida Atlantic
Oct. 20 @ Western Kentucky
Oct. 27 vs South Alabama
Nov. 3 vs Louisiana-Lafayette
Nov. 8 @ Arkansas State
Nov. 17 vs North Texas
Nov. 24 @ FIU
| North Texas Mean Green, 5-7 PPG 24.8 PAPG 30.7 North Texas is another team along with FIU that will be departing the Sun Belt for Conference USA after the 2012 season. The Mean Green will want to go out strong after a mediocre 5-7 last year. In February, head coach Dan McCarney suffered a mild stroke, but has since recovered. The win total last season was the best for the Mean Green since 2004 and they won three of their final five games. The out of conference schedule for North Texas is brutal. Their season starts at Death Valley versus the CFU number one team, LSU. They also have to play at Kansas State and Houston. However, they do not have to play FIU in conference this season. North Texas has a somewhat inconsistent quarterback in Derek Thompson, but they do have a consistently good offensive line led by Cyril Lemon. On defense, the Mean Green bring back a strong linebacker core led by Zach Orr (74 tackles & 7 tackles for loss). Punter Will Atterberry has also been named to the Ray Guy Award Watch List for 2012. It will be difficult for North Texas to improve on their 5-7 record from a year ago. They may come close to bowl eligibility, but will most likely come up short once again. Returning Starters: 17 Offense: 9 Defense: 6 Specialists: 2 Impact Players:QB Derek Thompson 6'4 220 Jr P Will Atterberry 5'11 199 Sr WR Brelan Chancellor 5'9 177 Jr LB Zach Orr 6'0 231 Jr OL Cyril Lemon 6'3 313 So Top Recruits:OL Boone Feldt 6'3 276 ( 5 sec 40-yard dash & 315 bench) |  Despite missing the final three games due to injury, linebacker Zach Orr led the team in tackles with 74.
Schedule
Sept. 1 @ LSU
Sept. 8 vs Texas Southern
Sept. 15 @ Kansas State
Sept. 22 vs Troy
Sept. 29 @ Florida Atlantic
Oct. 6 @ Houston
Oct. 16 vs Louisiana-Lafayette
Oct. 27 @ Middle Tennessee
Nov. 3 vs Arkansas State
Nov. 10 vs South Alabama
Nov. 17 @ Louisiana-Monroe
Nov. 24 @ Western Kentucky
| Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders, 2-10 PPG 22.3 PAPG 36.8 The Blue Raiders should be better after a dismal season in 2011 that finished with only two wins. Their solid running game should help them garner more victories this year. Defensive end Omar McLendon said, "This year is a clean slate and we just have a lot to prove." They have to after finishing 110th in points allowed per game. The defense at least has to be respectable in 2012 after allowing 30 points or more in nine games and 40 points or more in five games for the 2011 season. Logan Kilgore can be a suitable quarterback, but still needs to get better. The rushing attack should continue to improve with bringing back their top two rushers in William Pratcher and Benjamin Cunningham as well as LSU transfer Drayton Calhoun will be eligible to play. However, the offensive line has limited experience other than Alex Stuart and Josh Walker. Head coach Rick Stockstill was 16-10 in two seasons (2009 & 2010) before going 2-10 last year. The Blue Raiders should easily improve by a couple wins, but going to a bowl game will be more challenging. Returning Starters: 13 Offense: 6 Defense: 6 Specialists: 1 Impact Players:RB Benny Cunningham 5'10 205 Sr QB Logan Kilgore 6'3 199 Jr DE Omar McLendon 6'3 242 Sr DT Jimmy Staten 6'4 300 Jr OL Alex Stuart 6'2 303 Sr-R Top Recruits:CB Demetrius Frazier 5'10 180 ( 4.5 sec 40-yard dash 345 squat) | Defensive end Omar McLendon talks about the Blue Raiders coming back after a disappointing season.
Schedule
Aug. 30 vs McNeese State
Sept. 8 vs Florida Atlantic
Sept. 15 @ Memphis
Sept. 29 @ Georgia Tech
Oct. 6 vs Louisiana-Monroe
Oct. 13 @ FIU
Oct. 20 @ Mississippi State
Oct. 27 vs North Texas
Nov. 1 @ Western Kentucky
Nov. 17 @ South Alabama
Nov. 24 vs Troy
Dec. 1 @ Arkansas State
| Florida Atlantic Owls 1-11 PPG 12.9 PAPG 34.7 The Owls were one of the worst teams in college football in 2011 and it will take time for them to improve. The team was annihilated while going 1-11 with almost no close games. New head coach Carl Pelini will need to instill some of the "blackshirt" mentality from Nebraska to help Florida Atlantic climb out of the enormous hole they are in. FAU had their worst record ever last season and just about anything would be an improvement. They do have one of the top linebackers and tacklers in the conference with David Hinds which should help give them a decent base on defense. Returning Starters: 17 Offense: 7 Defense: 8 Special Teams: 2 Impact Players:LB David Hinds 6'2 234 Sr OL Joe Bailey 6'5 290 Sr-R WR DeAndre Richardson 6'2 180 Jr-R DB Keith Reaser 6'0 175 Jr-R Top Recruits:CB Tony Grimes 6'0 175 Juco ( 4.5 sec 40-yard dash) |  New head coach Carl Pelini was the defensive coordinator at Nebraska for four seasons. He was also a nominee for the Frank Broyles Assistant Coach Award in 2009 and 2010.
Schedule
Aug. 31 vs Wagner
Sept. 8 @ Middle Tennessee
Sept. 15 @ Georgia
Sept. 22 @ Alabama
Sept. 29 vs North Texas
Oct. 13 @ Louisiana-Monroe
Oct. 20 @ South Alabama
Oct. 27 vs Troy
Nov. 3 @ Navy
Nov. 10 @ Western Kentucky
Nov. 16 vs FIU
Dec. 1 vs Louisiana-Lafayette
| South Alabama Jaguars, 6-4 PPG 24.4 PAPG 21.7 | The Jaguars have won a lot of games early on in the program's existence, but despite going 6-4 last season, USA did lose to a 3-8 Georgia State in overtime 27 to 20 so their record may be a little deceiving.
Running and defense will need to be the game plan for the Jaguars since they appear to be limited in the passing game. Quarterback CJ Bennett had a horrible touchdown to intereception ratio at 7-17.
In the running game, the stats are almost evenly distributed among tailbacks Kendall Houston (558 rush yards 8 TDs) and Demetre Baker (491 rush yards 9 TDs). They also have a disciplined offensive lineman in Trey Clark that graded out at 90 percent versus Tennessee Martin last season.
This will be the toughest year as of yet for the Jaguars and most likely, their first losing season in the program's young history.
Returning Starters: 15
Offense: 5
Defense: 9
Specialists: 1
Impact Players:
C Trey Clark 6'1 270 Sr
S Charles Harris 6'1 200 Sr
LB Jake Johnson 6'1 230 Sr
LB Enrique Williams 6'0 235 Jr
Top Recruits:
DL/TE Paul Kyles 6'3 255 |  South Alabama is 23-4 in three seasons of competition and was 17-0 in the first two seasons.
Schedule
Aug. 30 vs Texas-San Antonio
Sept. 8 vs Nicholls State
Sept. 15 @ NC State
Sept. 22 @ Mississippi State
Sept. 29 vs Troy
Oct. 13 @ Arkansas State
Oct. 20 vs Florida Atlantic
Oct. 27 @ Louisiana-Monroe
Nov. 3 vs FIU
Nov. 10 @ North Texas
Nov. 17 vs Middle Tennessee
Nov. 24 @ Louisiana-Lafayette
Dec. 1 @ Hawaii
| Texas State Bobcats, 6-6 PPG 25.5 PAPG 28.5 Dennis Franchione has a record of 193-107-2 as a head coach in 26 years and the Bobcats were 6-6 last season, but they were not competitive against the two FBS teams they faced (Texas Tech & Wyoming). Big tight end Chase Harper did make it on the John Mackey Award Watch List, but running back Marcus Curry should be the primary option on offense (756 total yards & four touchdowns in 2011). The Bobcats now have 11 FBS teams on schedule and the transition will be tough. They will be playing in the WAC this season before moving to the Sun Belt in 2013. Returning Starters: 17 Offense: 7 Defense: 9 Specialists: 1 Impact Players:LB Joplo Bartu 6'2 230 Sr RB Marcus Curry 5'11 210 Sr TE Chase Harper 6'5 260 Sr DB Darryl Morris 5'10 185 Sr Top Recruits:CB Justin Albritton 5'11 185 ( 4.4 sec 40-yard dash) OL Adrian Bellard 6'5 310 |  Head coach Dennis Franchione has a 19-15 record in his three years at Texas State.
Schedule
Sept. 1 @ Houston
Sept. 8 vs Texas Tech
Sept. 22 vs Stephen F. Austin State
Sept. 29 vs Nevada
Oct. 6 @ New Mexico
Oct. 13 vs Idaho
Oct. 27 @ San Jose State
Nov. 3 @ Utah State
Nov. 10 vs Louisiana Tech
Nov. 17 @ Navy
Nov. 24 @ UTSA
Dec. vs New Mexico State
| Georgia State Panthers, 3-8 PPG 22.6 PAPG 31.2 | Georgia State is a young program which just began in 2010 led by experienced head coach Bill Curry. There have been growing pains thus far.
The Panthers had a difficult time being competitive in 2011 and only won three games in a schedule against mostly non-FBS opponents. They do not play in the Sun Belt until 2013, but it will be a jump in competition when they do.
The offensive line lost four starters, but most of the talent on the team is in the skill positions. Running back Donald Russell and wide receiver Albert Wilson highlight the offense. In 2011, Russell rushed for 665 yards with nine touchdowns while Wilson had 772 receiving yards with six touchdowns.
With the support behind the program and the location of playing in Atlanta at the Georgia Dome, the team should eventually stabilize into playing competitive football on the FBS level.
Returning Starters: 12
Offense: 6
Defense: 4
Specialists: 2
Impact Players:
LB Mark Hogan 5'11 220 Jr
RB Donald Russell 5'11 212 Sr
WR Danny Williams 6'4 200 Sr
WR Albert Wilson 5'9 195 Jr
Top Recruits:
OL Garrett Gorringe 6'4 280 |  Head Coach Bill Curry, "It is tough to compete and win in today's world of football... Our guys have to work out year round now. I was not aware that it was this demanding on this generation, but it is so we are demanding more and more to show and have a quantum improvement."
Schedule
Aug. 30 vs South Carolina State
Sept. 8 @ Tennessee
Sept. 15 vs Texas San-Antonio
Sept. 22 vs Richmond
Sept. 29 @ William & Mary
Oct. 6 vs New Hampshire
Oct. 13 @ Rhode Island
Oct. 20 vs Villanova
Oct. 27 @ James Madison
Nov. 3 vs Old Dominion
Nov. 10 @ Maine
| Conference Outlook & Predictions | The losses of FIU and North Texas to Conference USA will hurt the Sun Belt. Georgia State, South Alabama, and Texas State will all have a rough start, but eventually will evolve into competitive Sun Belt teams. Arkansas State, Louisiana-Lafayette, and Western Kentucky have to maintain success to make up the slack of the departures. It would also help if Troy or Middle Tennessee can return to winning ways.
Of the teams projected to not have winning records, Western Kentucky appears to be the strongest team and could get some more unexpected wins to give them a winning record. Louisiana-Monroe, North Texas, Troy, and Middle Tennessee all may flirt with bowl eligibility. Florida Atlantic really has no chance and the new teams coming over to the Sun Belt in 2013 are not competitive enough yet to vie for a bowl game.
The Sun Belt will probably have three bowl teams in 2012. There is a longshot chance of some big non-conference wins that could lead to more, but they could also beat up on each other leading to the records being more even which is a definite possibility.
Even though projected at 11-1, FIU could easily lose a couple more games, same goes for Louisiana-Lafayette. I projected Arkansas State as winning eight games due to tough road conference games against FIU and Louisiana-Lafayette, but there is still a good chance they could win one of the two and retain the Sun Belt championship. | Projected Records
1. FIU 11-1*
2. Louisiana-Lafayette 10-2 (conference champion)
3. Arkansas State 8-4
4. Western Kentucky 5-7
5. Louisiana-Monroe 5-7
6. North Texas 5-7*
7. Troy 4-8
8. Middle Tennessee 4-8
9. Georgia State 3-9**
10. Florida Atlantic 2-10
11. South Alabama 2-10**
12. Texas State 2-10**
*exits Sun Belt in 2013 to join Conference USA
**joins Sun Belt in 2013. South Alabama plays Sun Belt schedule in 2012, but will not be eligible for championship until 2013. Best Teams
1. Arkansas State
2t. Louisiana-Lafayette
2t. FIU*
4. Western Kentucky
5. Louisiana-Monroe
6. North Texas*
7. Troy
8. Middle Tennessee
9. Florida Atlantic
10. Texas State**
11. Georgia State**
12. South Alabama**
| | Bowl Game Winning Percentage (Since 2007):
Conf., W-L, %
MWC, 17-8 .680
SEC, 30-16 .652
Big East, 18-10
Big 12, 22-17 .564
Sun Belt, 6-5 .545
Pac-12, 15-14 .517
C-USA, 14-15 .483
Big Ten, 15-25 .375
ACC, 15-27 .357
MAC, 7-15 .318
WAC, 6-14 .300
The Sun Belt was 1-2 in bowls last season. | Ragin Cajuns dramatic win in New Orleans Bowl | | 2012 Preseason Sun Belt Poll
As voted on by the league's 10 head coaches. First place votes in parentheses.
School, Points
1. FIU 92 (5)
2. Arkansas State 85 (2)
3. Louisiana Lafayette 81 (2)
4. WKU 70 (1)
5. Troy 60
6. Louisiana Monroe 47
7. Middle Tennessee 42
8. North Texas 36
9. Florida Atlantic 23
10. South Alabama 14
| Arkansas State Quarterback Ryan Aplin on Offseason Work Outs | | 2012 Preseason All-Sun Belt Team
As voted on by the league's 10 head coaches and selected media members.
Offense:
QB Ryan Aplin, Arkansas State, Sr.
RB Kedrick Rhodes, FIU, Jr.
RB Alonzo Harris, Louisiana-Lafayette, So.
WR Josh Jarboe, Arkansas State, Sr.
WR Javone Lawson, Louisiana-Lafayette, Sr.
WR Eric Thomas, Troy, Jr.
TE Jack Doyle, WKU, Sr.
OL Zach McKnight, Arkansas State, Sr.
OL Rupert Bryan, FIU, Sr.
OL Caylin Hauptmann, FIU, Sr.
OL Leonardo Bates, Louisiana-Lafayette, Sr.
OL Cyril Lemon, North Texas, So.
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year:
QB Ryan Aplin, Arkansas State, Sr.
|
Defense:
DL Isame Faciane, FIU, Jr.
DL Tourek Williams, FIU, Sr.
DL Tony Davis, Troy, Sr.
DL Quanterus Smith, WKU, Sr.
LB Winston Frazier, FIU, Sr.
LB Andrew Jackson, WKU, Jr.
DB Don Jones, Arkansas State, Sr.
DB Jonathan Cyprien, FIU, Sr.
DB Melvin White, Louisiana-Lafayette, Sr.
DB Brynden Trawick, Troy, Sr.
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year:
DL Tourek Williams, FIU, Sr.
Special Teams:
PK Brett Baer, Louisiana Lafayette, Sr.
P Will Atterberry, North Texas, Sr.
Return Specialist John Evans, WKU, So.
| Returning Individual Leaders | Top 5 Rush Yards Per Game
1. Kedrick Rhodes, FIU 88.4
2. Benjamin Cunningham*, Middle Tenn 62.6
3. Alonzo Harris, UL-Lafayette 58.3
4. Jyruss Edwards, ULM 55.6
5. William Pratcher, Middle Tenn 48.8
*Played only eight games.
Top 5 Receiving Yards Per Game
1. Javone Lawson, UL-Lafayette 84.0
2. Eric Thomas, Troy 72.9
3. Brent Leonard, ULM 62.6
4. Taylor Stockemer, Arkansas St 58.2
5. Harry Peoples, UL-Lafayette 58.1
Top 5 Tackles
1. Brynden Trawick, Troy 123
2. David Hinds, Florida Atlantic 110
3. Andrew Jackson, Western Kentucky 109
4. Randell Johnson, Florida Atlantic 92
5. Andrae Kirk, Florida Atlantic 87
| Top 5 Pass Efficiency
1. Blaine Gautier, UL-Lafayette 153.6
2. Ryan Aplin, Arkansas St 133.6
3. Corey Robinson, Troy 126.3
4. Derek Thompson, North Texas 121.0
5. Logan Kilgore, Middle Tenn 119.7
Top 5 Total Offense Per Game
1. Ryan Aplin, Arkansas St 321.2
2. Corey Robinson, Troy 277.8
3. Blaine Gautier, UL-Lafayette 264.9
4. Kolton Browning, ULM 243.8
5. Logan Kilgore, Middle Tenn 212.5
Top 5 Sacks
1. Quanterus Smith, Western Kentucky 7.5
2. Leighton Gasque, Middle Tenn 7
3. Greg Hickman, FIU 5
4. Randell Johnson, Florida Atlantic 5
5. Brandon McCoy, North Texas 4.5
5. Tourek Williams, FIU 4.5
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The 2012 Walter Camp Player of the Year Watch List was announced today by the Walter Camp Football Foundation. The award is named after the "Father of American Football" Walter Camp which was a player, coach, and great innovator in football. Last season's recipient was Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, number one NFL Draft pick by the Indianapolis Colts. The watch has the usual favorites like Matt Barkley and Tyrann Mathieu. But there is an omission of Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein which is on the Davey O'Brien and Maxwell Watch List as well as the College Football Universe Dynamic Dozen Heisman Contenders. In 2011, Klein had 3,059 total yards and 40 total touchdowns (27 rushing TDs). You can find more information about the Walter Camp Player of the Year at WalterCamp.org. 2012 Walter Camp Player of the Year Watch List:
SEC (12):Tyler Bray, junior, QB, Tennessee Jadeveon Clowney, sophomore, DE, South Carolina Knile Davis, junior, RB, Arkansas Shariff Floyd, junior, DT, Florida James Franklin, junior, QB, Missouri Barrett Jones, senior, Center, Alabama Jarvis Jones, junior, LB, Georgia Marcus Lattimore, junior, RB, South Carolina Tyrann Matthieu, junior, DB, LSU AJ McCarron, junior, QB, Alabama Aaron Murray, junior, QB, Georgia Tyler Wilson, senior, QB, Arkansas Big 12 (11):Tavon Austin, senior, WR, West Virginia Arthur Brown, senior, LB, Kansas State Seth Doerge, senior, QB, Texas Tech Tony Jefferson, junior, DB, Oklahoma Landry Jones, senior, QB, Oklahoma Tyler Lockett, sophomore, WR/KR, Kansas State Nigel Malone, senior, DB, Kansas State Alex Okafor, senior, DE, Texas Joseph Randle, junior, RB, Oklahoma State Geno Smith, senior, QB, West Virginia Kenny Stills, junior, WR, Oklahoma Pac-12 (7):Keenan Allen, junior, WR, California Matt Barkley, senior, QB, USC T.J. McDonald, senior, DB, USC Chase Thomas, senior, LB, Stanford De’Anthony Thomas, sophomore, WR, Oregon John White, senior, RB, Utah Robert Woods, junior, WR, USC ACC (6):David Amerson, DB, North Carolina State Tajh Boyd, junior, QB, Clemson Brandon Jenkins, senior, DE, Florida State Logan Thomas, junior, QB, Virginia Tech Joe Vellano, senior, DL, Maryland Sammy Watkins, sophomore, WR, Clemson Big Ten (5):Montee Ball, senior, RB, Wisconsin Rex Burkhead, senior, RB, Nebraska William Gholston, junior, DE, Michigan State Silas Redd, junior, RB, Penn State Denard Robinson, senior, QB, Michigan Conference USA (2):Zach Line, senior, RB, SMU Charles Sims, junior, RB, Houston MAC (2):Alex Carder, senior, QB, Western Michigan Branden Oliver, junior, RB, Buffalo Independents (2):Tyler Eifert, senior, TE, Notre Dame Manti Te’o, senior, LB, Notre Dame Big East (1):Ray Graham, senior, RB, Pittsburgh Mountain West (1):Robbie Rouse, senior, RB, Fresno State Sun Belt (1):Ryan Aplin, senior, QB, Arkansas State
The 2012 Doak Walker Award Watch List for the nation's top running back was announced Thursday of this week. It is named after former Southern Methodist University and Detroit Lions football player, Doak Walker. Wisconsin Badger Montee Ball is an obvious favorite since he was a finalist for the award last season as well as a Heisman finalist. Last year's winner was Trent Richardson from Alabama which is now in the NFL, but the SEC still has strong candidates on the list returning including Marcus Lattimore for South Carolina and Knile Davis for Arkansas, both injured last year. The Pac-12 has the most with eight then followed by the Big Ten and Big 12 with seven each. The SEC finally trails the other conferences on the watch lists with just six listed. You can find more information about the Davey O'Brien Award at DoakWalkerAward.com. 2012 Doak Walker Award Watch List:Pac-12 (8):Kenjon Barner (Sr.), Oregon Jesse Callier (Jr.), Washington Johnathan Franklin (Sr.), UCLA Cameron Marshall (Sr.), Arizona State Curtis McNeal (Sr.), USC Isi Sofele (Sr.), California Stepfan Taylor (Sr.), Stanford John White (Sr.), Utah Big Ten (7):Montee Ball (Sr.), Wisconsin Le′Veon Bell (Jr.), Michigan State Jordan Hall (Sr.), Ohio State Rex Burkhead (Sr.), Nebraska Silas Redd (Jr.), Penn State Fitzgerald Toussaint (Jr.), Michigan James White (Jr.), Wisconsin Big 12 (7):John Hubert (Jr.), Kansas State Waymon James (Jr.), TCU Joseph Randle (Jr.), Oklahoma State Jarred Salubi (Sr.), Baylor Eric Stephens (Sr.), Texas Tech Matthew Tucker (Sr.), TCU James White (Jr.), Iowa State SEC (6):Knile Davis (Jr.), Arkansas Eddie Lacy (Jr.), Alabama Marcus Lattimore (Jr.), South Carolina Onterio McCalebb (Sr.), Auburn Christine Michael (Sr.), Texas A&M Zac Stacy (Sr.), Vanderbilt ACC (5):Giovani Bernard (So.), North Carolina Andre Ellington (Sr.), Clemson Michael James (Sr.), Miami Orwin Smith (Sr.), Georgia Tech Conference USA (4):Orleans Darkwa (Jr.), Tulane Nathan Jeffery (So.), UTEP Zach Line (Sr.), SMU Latavius Murray (Sr.), UCF Independents (4):Michael Alisa (Jr.), BYU Gee Gee Greene (Sr.), Navy Raymond Maples (Jr.), Army Cierre Wood (Sr.), Notre Dame Mountain West (3):D.J. Harper (Sr.), Boise State Walter Kazee (Sr.), San Diego State Robbie Rouse (Sr.), Fresno State Sun Belt (3):Benny Cunningham (Sr.), Middle Tennessee Kedrick Rhodes (Jr.), Florida International Shawn Southward (Sr.), Troy Big East (2):Ray Graham (Sr.), Pittsburgh Lyle McCombs (So.), Connecticut MAC (2):Branden Oliver (Jr.), Buffalo Anthon Samuel (So.), Bowling Green WAC (2):Hunter Lee (So.), Louisiana Tech Kerwynn Williams (Sr.), Utah State
The 2012 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award Watch List was announced Wednesday of this week by the the Davey O'Brien Foundation. The award is named after College Football Hall of Fame and Texas Sports Hall of Fame quarterback, Davey O'Brien. Some of the top favorites for the award are USC's Matt Barkley and Arkansas' Tyler Wilson which are two of the seven returning 2011 semifinalists. A couple non-BCS conferences have some decent longshots like Tyler Tettleton of Ohio and Ryan Aplin of Arkansas State. Of the 34 quarterbacks selected, the players are almost equally distributed throughout the BCS conferences. The ACC and SEC have the most listed with six each. You can find more information about the Davey O'Brien Award at DaveyObrien.org. 2012 Davey O’Brien Award Watch List:
ACC (6):Tajh Boyd, Clemson Mike Glennon, N.C. State EJ Manuel, Florida State Sean Renfree, Duke Bryn Renner, North Carolina Logan Thomas, Virginia Tech SEC (6):Tyler Bray, Tennessee James Franklin, Missouri AJ McCarron, Alabama Aaron Murray, Georgia Connor Shaw, South Carolina Tyler Wilson, Arkansas Big Ten (5):Taylor Martinez, Nebraska Braxton Miller, Ohio State Denard Robinson, Michigan Nathan Scheelhaase, Illinois James Vandenberg, Iowa Big 12 (5):Seth Doege, Texas Tech Landry Jones, Oklahoma Collin Klein, Kansas State Casey Pachall, TCU Geno Smith, West Virginia Pac-12 (3):Matt Barkley, USC Keith Price, Washington Jeff Tuel, Washington St, Big East (2):Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville B.J. Daniels, USF Independents (2):Riley Nelson, BYU Trent Steelman, Army MAC (2):Alex Carder, Western Michigan Tyler Tettleton, Ohio, Mountain West (2):Derek Carr, Fresno State Cody Fajardo, Nevada Sun Belt (1):
Ryan Aplin, Arkansas State
The 2012 Biletnikoff Award Watch List for the most outstanding receiver in college football was announced Tuesday of this week by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club. The award is named after College Football Hall of Fame and Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver, Fred Biletnikoff. A favorite for the award is USC Trojan Robert Woods (111 receptions & 15 touchdowns in 2011). Clemson's Sammy Watkins is also a contender even though he is not on the list presumably due to an off-season arrest. Marquis Lee of USC was initially not on the watch until an ESPN researcher called the Tallahassee Quarterback Club to question the exclusion and he was added to it yesterday. Lee had 1,143 receiving yards with 11 touchdown receptions in 2011. Oregon hybrid RB/WR De'Anthony Thomas is not listed. According to the press release for the award, it is for the nation's "outstanding college football receiver (the award defines receiver as any player who catches a pass)" so he could have easily qualified. Almost every FBS conference is represented on the list of 49 players except the Sun Belt. The players are somewhat evenly distributed throughout the conferences. SEC leads with 10, but the ACC and Big 12 both have eight as well as seven for the Pac-12. You can find more information about the Biletnikoff Award at BiletnikoffAward.com.2012 Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List:
SEC (10):Emory Blake Auburn Andre Debose Florida Cobi Hamilton Arkansas Justin Hunter Tennessee Tavarres King Georgia Jordan Matthews Vanderbilt T.J. Moe Missouri Uzoma Nwachukwu Texas A&M Da’Rick Rogers Tennessee Ryan Swope Texas A&M ACC (8):Jheranie Boyd North Carolina Michael Campanaro Wake Forest Marcus Davis Virgina Tech Willie Haulstead Florida State Erik Highsmith North Carolina DeAndre Hopkins Clemson Allen Hurns Miami (Fla.) Conner Vernon Duke Big 12 (8):Tavon Austin West Virginia Stedman Bailey West Virginia Josh Boyce TCU Mike Davis Texas Tevin Reese Baylor Kenny Stills Oklahoma Eric Ward Texas Tech Terrance Williams Baylor Pac-12 (7):Keenan Allen California Dan Buckner Arizona DeVonte Christopher Utah Marquis Lee USC Markus Wheaton Oregon State Marquess Wilson Washington State Robert Woods USC Big Ten (4):Jared Abbrederis Wisconsin Corey Brown Ohio State Keenan Davis Iowa Roy Roundtree Michigan Big East (3):Alec Lemon Syracuse Mike Shanahan Pittsburgh Devin Street Pittsburgh Conference USA (2):Aaron Dobson Marshall Darius Johnson SMU Independents (2):Cody Hoffman BYU T.J. Jones Notre Dame Mountain West (2):Colin Lockett San Diego State Matt Miller Boise State WAC (2):Noel Grigsby San Jose State Quinton Patton Louisiana Tech MAC (1):Nick Harwell Miami (Ohio)
The Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List for the best collegiate lineman or linebacker was announced Monday of this week by the Rotary Club of Houston. Eligibility for the award includes offensive or defensive end to end down linemen who set up no farther than 10 yards to the left or right of the ball, linebackers who set up no farther than five yards deep from the line of scrimmage, and all candidates must be eligible to play college sports under the rules and regulations of the NCAA.Last year's winner was Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly and the exhausting list has just about every position player that likes to hit each other and that are good at it. I am in the process of updating the other watch lists to the blog. I will also have in-depth Sun Belt and SEC online preseason guides posted later this week as well as other good stuff coming. You can find more information about the award at RotaryLombardiAward.org. The website does not seem to be updated yet for 2012, but I found the watch list and other information posted on NCAA.com. The players are broke down on the CFU blog by conference . 2012 Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List:
SEC (26):C Alvin Bailey, Arkansas LB Jonathan Bostic, Florida DE Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina OT Chris Faulk, LSU DE Sharrif Floyd, Florida OT DJ Fluker, Alabama OT Alex Hurst, LSU G Gabe Jackson, Mississippi State LB Jelani Jenkins, Florida NT John Jenkins, Georgia OT Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M LB Nico Johnson, Alabama C/G/T Barrett Jones, Alabama OLB Jarvis Jones, Georgia DE Corey Lemonier, Auburn DE/DT Rob Lohr, Vanderbilt TE Philip Lutzenkirchen, Auburn OT Jake Matthews, Texas A&M DE Barkevious Mingo, LSU DE Sam Montgomery, LSU LB C.J. Mosley, Alabama LB Sean Porter, Texas A&M DE Devin Taylor, South Carolina G Larry Warford, Kentucky G Chance Warmack, Alabama DE Jesse Williams, Alabama Big Ten (23):LB Denicos Allen, Michigan State LB Chris Borland, Wisconsin LB Jonathan Brown, Illinois DE Michael Buchanan, Illinois LB Max Bullough, Michigan State LB Kenny Demens, Michigan C/G Travis Frederick, Wisconsin DE William Gholston, Michigan State DT Johnathan Hankins, Ohio State DT Jordan Hill, Penn State LB Gerald Hodges, Penn State OT Taylor Lewan, Michigan G Spencer Long, Nebraska G Chris McDonald, Michigan State LB James Morris, Iowa DE Marcus Rush, Michigan State DT Kawann Short, Purdue DE John Simon, Ohio State DT Akeem Spence, Illinois DT Baker Steinkuhler, Nebraska TE Jake Stoneburner, Ohio State LB Mike Taylor, Wisconsin OT Ricky Wagner, Wisconsin ACC (17): OT Oday Aboushi, Virginia LB Jeremiah Attaochu, Georgia Tech G Jonathan Cooper, North Carolina C Dalton Freeman, Clemson DE James Gayle, Virginia Tech LB Steve Greer, Virginia OT James Hurst, North Carolina DE Brandon Jenkins, Florida State OT Morgan Moses, Virginia LB Kevin Pierre-Louis, Boston College LB Kevin Reddick, North Carolina LB Bruce Taylor, Virginia Tech G Omoregie Uzzi, Georgia Tech DT Joe Vellano, Maryland DE Bjoern Werner, Florida State DT Nikita Whitlock, Wake Forest DT Sylvester Williams, North Carolina Big 12 (17):LB Arthur Brown, Kansas State G Blaize Foltz, TCU C Ben Habern, Oklahoma LB Jordan Hicks, Texas G Gabe Ikard, Oklahoma DE Jackson Jeffcoat, Texas LB A.J. Klein, Iowa State LB Jake Knott, Iowa State LB Shaun Lewis, Oklahoma State C Joe Madsen, West Virginia DE Stansly Maponga, TCU LB Corey Nelson, Oklahoma DE Alex Okafor, Texas G Cyril Richardson, Baylor G Lane Taylor, Oklahoma State OT LaAdrian Waddle, Texas Tech G Mason Walters, Texas Pac-12 (17):LB Dion Bailey, USC OT David Bakhtiari, Colorado LB Michael Clay, Oregon DE Scott Crichton, Oregon State TE Joseph Fauria, UCLA DE Ben Gardner, Stanford C Khaled Holmes, USC DE Wes Horton, USC DE Dion Jordan, Oregon DE/OLB Travis Long, Washington State DT Star Lotulelei, Utah LB Hayes Pullard, USC LB Shayne Skov, Stanford LB Chase Thomas, Stanford TE Levine Toilolo, Stanford LB Brian Wagner, Arizona G Carson York, Oregon Big East (9):C Mario Benavides, Louisville DE Aaron Donald, Pittsburgh DE Ryne Giddins, USF LB Khaseem Greene, Rutgers TE Ryan Griffin, Connecticut LB DeDe Lattimore, USF LB Sio Moore, Connecticut OT Justin Pugh, Syracuse DE Trevardo Williams, Connecticut MAC (8):G Eric Herman, Ohio DL Chris Jones, Bowling Green C Zac Kerin, Toledo LB Khalil Mack, Buffalo DE Roosevelt Nix, Kent State DE Sean Progar, Northern Illinois OT Brian Winters, Kent State LB Dwayne Woods, Bowling Green Conference USA (7): OT Jacolby Ashworth, Houston DE/LB Jamie Collins, Southern Miss LB Jeremy Grove, East Carolina DE Margus Hunt, SMU LB Trent Mackey, Tulane LB Taylor Reed, SMU TE Luke Willson, Rice Mountain West (7): G Chris Barker, Nevada LB Travis Brown, Fresno State C Nick Carlson, Wyoming TE Gavin Escobar, San Diego State G Joe Kellogg, Boise State OT Jeff Nady, Nevada C Weston Richburg, Colorado State Independents (6): C Braxston Cave, Notre Dame TE Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame G Braden Hansen, BYU OT Zack Martin, Notre Dame LB Manti Te’o, Notre Dame LB Kyle Van Noy, BYU WAC (5):DE Travis Johnson, San Jose State C Tyler Larsen, Utah State OT David Quessenberry, San Jose State LB Keith Smith, San Jose State C Stephen Warner, Louisiana Tech Sun Belt (3): LB Winston Fraser, FIU LB Andrew Jackson, Western Kentucky G Adam Smith, Western Kentucky
The Butkus Award Watch List for the top collegiate linebacker was announced by the Butkus Foundation on Monday of this week. The award is named in honor of College Football Hall of Fame and Pro Hall of Fame linebacker, Dick Butkus. There are also high school and professional categories of the award. Boston College's Luke Kuechly won the award in 2011, but has since moved on to the NFL. Notre Dame's Manti Te'o is the only returning finalist.Te'o won the inaugaral High School Butkus Award in 2008, but former Ole Miss and current San Francisco 49er, Patrick Willis, is the only player to win two versions of the award so far (college and pro). As mentioned before on CFU, Georgia's Jarvis Jones is top rated NFL talent and also a returning semi-finalist. There are 51 linebackers on the watch and the SEC has almost one-third of the players on the list with 16. The Big Ten and Pac-12 have the next most with nine and seven respectively. Most FBS conferences were represented except the MAC and WAC despite a player from the FCS on the list, Howard's Keith Pough. You can find more information about the Dick Butkus Award at theButkusAward.com. 2012 Butkus Award Watch List: SEC (16): Jonathan Bostic, Florida Zaviar Gooden, Missouri Alanzo Highsmith, Arkansas DeVonte Holloman, South Carolina Jelani Jenkins, Florida A.J. Johnson, Tennessee Nico Johnson, Alabama Jarvis Jones, Georgia Cameron Lawrence, Mississippi State John Lotulelei, Florida Lerentee McCray, Florida Kevin Minter, LSU Damontre Moore, Texas A&M C.J. Mosley, Alabama Sean Porter, Texas A&M Cornelius Washington, Georgia Big Ten (9): Denicos Allen, Michigan State Chris Borland, Wisconsin Jonathan Brown, Illinois Max Bullough, Michigan State Gerald Hodges, Penn State Michael Mauti, Penn State James Morris, Iowa David Nwabuisi, Northwestern Etienne Sabino, Ohio State PAC-12 (7): Dion Bailey, Southern California Travis Long, Washington State Brandon Magee, Arizona State Trent Murphy, Stanford Douglas Rippy, Colorado Shane Skov, Stanford Chase Thomas, Stanford ACC (5): Christian Jones, Florida State Nick Moody, Florida State Kevin Reddick, North Carolina Kenny Tate, Maryland Bruce Taylor, Virginia Tech Big 12 (4): Arthur Brown, Kansas State A.J. Klein, Iowa State Jake Knott, Iowa State Tom Wort, Oklahoma Big East (3): Steve Beauharnais, Rutgers Khaseem Greene, Rutgers Sio Moore, Connecticut Conference USA (2): Jamie Collins, Southern Mississippi Ja'Gared Davis, Southern Methodist University Independents (2): Uona Kaveinga, BYU Manti Te'o, Notre Dame Mountain West (1): Jeremiah Greene, Nevada Sun Belt (1): Andrew Jackson, Western Kentucky FCS-MEAC (1): Keith Pough, Howard
The 2012 Jim Thorpe Award Watch List for the best defensive back in college football was announced Friday by the Jim Thorpe Association. The award is named after former gold medal Olympian and superb all-around athlete, Jim Thorpe. Of Course, Tyrann Mathieu is a favorite on just about every preseason defensive watch list and an LSU player has won the award two seasons in a row (Claiborne 2011 & Peterson 2010), but there are also others worthy of contention this season. NC State cornerback David Amerson is a ball hawk with 13 interceptions including four passes broken up in 2011 and Florida safety Matt Elam is a hard hitter that led the Gators in 2011 for tackles for loss with 11. There are 35 total players listed. The SEC has the most with five and then the Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-12, C-USA and MAC have four each. The Big East and ACC have three each followed by two for the Sun Belt as well as one for the Mountain West and WAC. You can find more information about the Jim Thorpe Award at JimThorpeAssoc.org.2012 Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List:Johnny Adams, Michigan State CB, Sr. Jahleel Addae, Central Michigan S, Jr. Ricardo Allen, Purdue CB, Jr. David Amerson, North Carolina State CB, Jr. Johnthan Banks, Mississippi State CB, Sr. C.J. Barnett, Ohio State S, Jr. John Boyett, Oregon S, Sr. Chad Boyd, Louisiana Tech, S, Sr. Brodrick Brown, Oklahoma State CB, Sr. Travis Carrie, Ohio University CB, Sr. Jonathan Cyprien, Florida International S, Sr. Matt Elam, Florida S, Jr. D.J. Hayden, Houston CB, Sr. Jarred Holley, Pittsburgh S, Sr. Kemal Ishmael, Central Florida S, Sr. Tony Jefferson, Oklahoma S, Jr. Lamarcus Joyner, Florida State S, Jr. Robert Lester, Alabama S, Sr. Isaiah Lewis, Michigan State S, Jr. Nigel Malone, Kansas State CB , Sr. Tyrann Mathieu, Louisiana State S, Jr. Dexter McCoil, Tulsa S, Sr. T.J. McDonald, Southern California S, Sr. Leon McFadden, San Diego State CB, Sr. Dayonne Nunley, Miami (OH) CB, Jr. Jordan Poyer, Oregon State CB, Sr. Eric Reid, Louisiana State S, Jr. Xavier Rhodes, Florida State CB, Jr. Nickell Robey, Southern California CB, Jr. Logan Ryan, Rutgers CB, Jr. Johnnie Simon, Western Michigan S, Jr. Hakeem Smith, Louisville S, Jr. Brynden Trawick, Troy S, Sr. Kenny Vaccaro, Texas S, Sr. Deron Wilson, Southern Mississippi CB, Jr.
The 2012 Outland Trophy Watch List for the best interior lineman in college football was announced Thursday by the Football Writers Association of America. It is named after former two position All-American John H. Outland. Last season's winner Barrett Jones of Alabama returns and has a good chance to win it twice. The trophy is also for interior defensive linemen and 18 are listed on the watch. Utah defensive tackle Star Lotulelei is a strong candidate and is first round NFL talent. Lotulelei had 12 tackles for loss in 2011.Every conference is represented on the list, but like many other watches, the SEC has the most players named with 19. The Big Ten and ACC have the next most with 12 and 11 respectively. You can find more information about the Outland Trophy at OutlandTrophy.com.2012 Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List:SEC (19):G Alvin Bailey, Arkansas DT Josh Boyd, Mississippi State OT Chris Faulk, LSU DT Sharrif Floyd, Florida OT D.J. Fluker, Alabama OT Alex Hurst, LSU G Gabe Jackson, Mississippi State DT John Jenkins, Georgia OT Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M C T.J. Johnson, South Carolina OT Wesley Johnson, Vanderbilt C Barrett Jones, Alabama DT Bennie Logan, LSU OT Jake Matthews, Texas A&M C Travis Swanson, Arkansas G Dallas Thomas, Tennessee G Larry Warford, Kentucky G Chance Warmack, Alabama DT Jesse Williams, Alabama Big Ten (12):C James Ferentz, Iowa C Travis Frederick, Wisconsin DT Johnathan Hankins, Ohio State DT Jordan Hill, Penn State OT Taylor Lewan, Michigan G Spencer Long, Nebraska G Chris McDonald, Michigan State C Graham Pocic, Illinois DT Kawann Short, Purdue DT Akeem Spence, Illinois DT Baker Steinkuhler, Nebraska OT Ricky Wagner, Wisconsin ACC (11):OT Oday Aboushi, Virginia G Jonathan Cooper, North Carolina DT Everett Dawkins, Florida State C Dalton Freeman, Clemson OT James Hurst, North Carolina DT Timmy Jernigan, Florida State C Andrew Miller, Virginia Tech OT Morgan Moses, Virginia G Omoregie Uzzi, Georgia Tech DT Joe Vellano, Maryland DT Sylvester Williams, North Carolina Big 12 (7):G Blaize Foltz, TCU C Ben Habern, Oklahoma G Gabe Ikard, Oklahoma G Cyril Richardson, Baylor G Lane Taylor, Oklahoma State OT LaAdrian Waddle, Texas Tech G Mason Walters, Texas Pac-12 (7): OT David Bakhtiari, Colorado C Khaled Holmes, USC DT Star Lotulelei, Utah OT Matt Summers-Gavin, California DT Aaron Tipoti, California G David Yankey, Stanford G Carson York, Oregon Big East (4):C Mario Benavides, Louisville DT Aaron Donald, Pittsburgh OT Mark Popek, USF OT Justin Pugh, Syracuse Independents (3):C Braxston Cave, Notre Dame G Braden Hansen, BYU OT Zack Martin, Notre Dame Mountain West (3): G Chris Barker, Nevada G Joe Kellogg, Boise State C Weston Richburg, Colorado State WAC (2):C Tyler Larsen, Utah State C Stephen Warner, Louisiana Tech Conference USA (1): G Theo Goins, UCF MAC (1):DT Roosevelt Nix, Kent State Sun Belt (1): OT Caylin Hauptmann, FIU
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