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Sun Belt Conference: NCAA Football Gambling Predictions | Futures

Looking for Sun Belt Conference football betting odds? Use the College football previews for the 2011 NCAA football season to help you with your college football handicapping, right here at Cappers Picks handicapping online…

NCAA Football Betting – Sun Belt Conference Preview

The Sun Belt may be the most appropriately named conference in college football. When I hear the words “Sun Belt,” I think of a relaxing, warm sun and happy, carefree times.

That’s the same feeling teams from other conferences get when they play cupcake opponents from the Sun Belt.

Who will win what many pundits view as FBS’ weakest conference in 2011?

Sun Belt Conference Predictions

Florida International is a co-favorite with +225 odds. Could the Panthers finally unseat Troy this season? It’s possible. Wesley Carroll is a decent quarterback and has the reigning Sun Belt Player of the Year, T.Y. Hilton, as his primary target.

Florida International’s middle-of-the-road defense is fine for stopping Sun Belt opponents, too.

Troy (+225) will go for a sixth straight Sun Belt title. The Trojans’ defense will be fine but their offense looks like a real question mark this season. Quarterback Corey Robinson lost his best three receivers to the NFL. The O-line is also missing three of five starters from last year.

I have to think this team will take at least a slight step backward.

Arkansas State (+500) isn’t far behind. The Red Wolves have pretty solid upside, as their passing attack is above-average and most of their defensive starters return. Like Troy, though, they have to deal with a diminished offensive line. That will put quarterback Ryan Aplin to the test. [soliloquy id=”82219″]

Louisiana-Monroe (+500) is also in the mix. Could this team be the top sleeper pick in the Sun Belt? There is some intriguing talent in Steve Farmer’s offense, including quarterback Kolton Browning, whom some compare to Tim Tebow, and lightning-fast receiver Luther Ambrose. Plenty of starters return on defense as well.

It certainly seems like Louisiana-Monroe’s arrow is pointing up.

Does Middle Tennessee (+600) have a shot? I don’t think so. This is a team in transition. The Blue Raiders have their O-line back but will replace quarterback Dwight Dasher. The defensive line is very inexperienced and could be Swiss cheese.

In theory, their offense could improve without Dasher, who wasn’t very good, but it may take a year for this team to gel.

North Texas is in its own tier at +900. The future looks bright under new head coach Dan McCarney, who was solid with Iowa State. Lance Dunbar will be the bellcow back and will lead what could be a powerful rushing offense. North Texas still has a ways to go after failing to win more than three games every season since 2004, however.

This could be the most improved team but that doesn’t mean it’ll win the Sun Belt.

THE FREE 2011 SUN BELT CONFERENCE PICK

If you talk to most handicappers about the Sun Belt, they’ll tell that the conference has good parity this year and that any of the top four or so teams has a shot to win it. I agree. For that reason, I’m not afraid to reach slightly on Louisiana-Monroe.

If the teams are so evenly matched, why not pick the school that has the most unique, high-upside offensive weapons?

Pick: Louisiana-Monroe +500

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By Shea Matthews

Shea Matthews the Senior Writer at CP. Lives and breathes sports. He made the transition from athlete to sports journalist at a young age, writing in TV & national papers. Shea applies his knowledge to sports betting + handicapping daily, and shares winning picks with the world.