UL-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns

The Ragin Cajuns will have 16 returning starters from last year’s teams. RB Tyrell Fenroy will be the featured running back and quarterback Michael Desormeaux will be running the show. The team will be able to move the ball. The defense will have to tighten up against the run if they want to improve and compete against Troy and Atlantic Florida. The linebacker corps will be the best in the league. The schedule will be tough for the Cajuns. Playing out of conference games against Southern Miss, Illinois, and Kansas State will be hard to come out of with a winning record. In conference will be a different story but road wins against the favorites, Troy and FAU, will be necessary if they are to claim the conference title.

Arkansas State Red Wolves

The politically correct Red Wolves have a name change going for them but that might be it for the most inexperienced team in the conference, 11 returning starters. The Red Wolves will have Corey Leonard back at quarterback handing the ball off to the running back Reggie Arnold. The offensive line has only one returning starter and will need to gel quickly to give their two offensive threats time to make things happen with the ball. The defensive front seven will be better with linebacker Ben Owens leading the way. The secondary will need to replace all four starters from a solid unit last season. This team will be competitive but will not be mature enough to compete for the conference championship.

The Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders

For the first time since joining the conference, the Blue Raiders will come in without any high expectations. They Blue Raiders come back as the youngest team in the conference. They do return the exciting dual threat Dwight Dasher at the quarterback position. The schedule will be the biggest obstacle for this young team. The Blue Devils have seven road and the four home games include games against Troy and FAU. The breakaway threat Desmond Gee will switch over from the wide receiver position to the running back spot to get more touches. The offense and defense both return just six starters. Look for the offense to improve on the 25 points per game they put up last season. The defense will depend on the ability to stop the run. Last season the defense game up 200 rushing yards a game. The secondary was not much better giving up 215 yards in the air. It will be hard for this young team to be bowl eligible this season if they do not improve drastically on defense.

North Texas State Eagles

The Eagles were 2-10 in Todd Dodge’s first year as the head coach. The offense improved by 12 points per game but the defense gave nearly three more touchdowns per game than last year. The offense is wide open a four wide out receiver set that gets the ball moving. Giovanni Vizzi, the Freshman of the Year in the Sun Belt conference, will have to battle with the coach’s son freshman Riley Dodge for the starting job. Dodge ran the same offense in high school and was the Texas Offensive Player of the Year two years in a row. The offense will not be the problem. The run defense was the worst in the country last season giving up 230 yards per game. The defense returns just six starters but they may be a blessing after allowing 45 points and 486 yards per game. Look for the Eagles to improve on their two wins from last season but will need time to have a winning season and become bowl eligible.

Florida International University Golden Panthers

The FIU Panthers were dismal a 1-11 straight up but did cover the spread in five of their 12 games. They beat North Texas in their last game of the season 38-19. The Panthers will look to build on the win under the second year Head Mario Cristobal. The offense was horrific on the first five games of the season scoring just 28 points in the first five games. They did improve over the next seven games, but not much. The Panthers finished with the lowest scoring offense in the country, 15 points per game. It is the second year of the systems in place and there will be some improvement. The schedule has the Panthers on the road in six of the first eight games. Overall, they play seven games on the road. Cristobal is a good recruiter and there is some talent on the way. There are 18 returning starters and the Panthers will need time to get a few more wins but will learn from taking on a tough non-conference schedule that includes Kansas, Iowa and South Florida.

The Dodgers honeymoon with Manny Ramirez might be over. The Dodgers have dropped five of their last six games to fall behind the Arizona Diamondbacks by three games with a record of 65-65. The Dodgers will send the Chad Billingsley to the mound to take The Phillies and the re-born Brett Myers. Myers was struggling and was sent down to the minors to get his mechanics straighten out. Since being recalled from the minors, Myers is 3-1 with an ERA of 1.94. The Phillies are just a half game back of the New York Mets with a record of 71-59. The Phillies have won six of their last seven games beating their opponents by an average of 3.1 runs per game. The Phillies are 7-1 at home and when Meyers has started against the Dodgers. The Dodgers have lost their last five games on the road. The Dodgers are also 0-4 when they have allowed over 5 runs in a game and when their opponents have allowed five or more runs in a game. The Phillies are 4-0 against the National League West and when their opponents have allowed 5 or more runs. Take the Phillies to sweep the series here from the Dodgers.

The Minnesota Twins (70-54) are coming off of a rare 3-2 home loss to the Oakland Athletics. I don’t expect Oakland to pull out to victories in a row here in this spot. The Athletics are 6-25 overall and 6-20 on the road. Oakland will be sending Shaun Gallagher (4-5, 4.50 ERA) to take on Kevin Slowely (9-8, 3.94) of Minnesota. Gallagher has really struggled as of late with an ERA of 7.50. Over Gallagher last 10 starts his respected team has gone 1-9. Conversely, The Twins have won eight of the last 10 games that Slowely has started. The wins are also in the thick of things in the American league Central division trailing the Chicago White Sox (71-53). The Twins are 13-1 when they have an on base percentage of .393 or higher over the last three games. The Twins bats should be able to put some runs up on the board against Gallagher. Take the Twins-1 ½.

Sun Belt Conference Preview Part I

The Sun Belt conference comes into this with their heads high after Florida Atlantic did the conference proud by thumping Memphis 44-27 in the New Orleans Bowl. The Owls come back primed to win the conference and get back to a bowl game. Troy was hit hard by graduation but has plenty of talent to fill those positions. The WarHawks of UL-Monroe will be looking to build on their huge upset of Alabama last season. The Ragin Cajuns have 14 returning starters and should improve this season. Arkansas State changed their names to the Red Wolves and will lack experience with only 11 returning starters. Middle Tennessee State will have to go through some growing pains with the youngest team in the conference. North Texas was once the most dominant team in the conference and now looks to bounce back with a wide open offense. The Panthers of Florida International arte still rebuilding and have a tough schedule. Western Kentucky will play several of the teams in the conference but will not officially join until next season.

Florida Atlantic Owls

The Owls were the pride and joy of the conference when they blew out Memphis in their bowl game. Coach Howard Schnellenbeger has created this program from scratch and is ready to have another winning season. With 55 lettermen and 20 starters back this season the Owls are the favorite to get back to the New Orleans Bowl. The offense will be led by pro prospect quarterback Rusty Smith. The running game will be solid with Charles Pierre. Smith will have several targets in Cortez Gent and Jason Harmon. The offensive line has 101 career starts. The defense will have eight starters back. MLB Frantz Joseph returns as the leader of the defense. Their cornerback tandem is the best in the conference. Cornerback Tavious Polo may be the best player on the defense. All three starters return on the defensive line. Both kickers are back to give the Owls solid special teams as well but will need to work on the punting game.

Troy Trojans

The Trojans were on their way to a bowl game when they were upended by Florida Atlantic. This season may be more of the same having to play the Owls on their home field. The offense will have to replace their quarterback, top running back and top two receivers in a hurry. The new skilled players will have plenty of time to run throw the ball behind the best offensive line, five returning starters, in the conference. The defense gave up their highest point total in the last six seasons, 24.6 points per game. Specifically, the defensive line will have to cut down the opposing teams running game after giving up 195 rushing yards per game. 1st Team All-SBC Boris Lee returns to lead the linebackers. Two cornerbacks have to be replaced but both safeties will be back. The kicking game will have two red shirt freshmen to handle the kicking chores. There are 14 returning starters but that will not be enough to get by the Owls.

UL-Monroe Warhawks

The Warhawks had the biggest upset last season when they beat Alabama 21-14. The Warhawks were impressive at the end of the season winning five of their last six games. In those five wins were the huge upset and a win over Florida Atlantic on the road.  The Warhawks have an extremely difficult out of conference schedule with Ole Miss, Auburn and Arkansas. However, the Warhawks will have four conference games at home to their advantage this season. The offense will be led by Kinsmon Lancaster and his top three targets back to catch more passes. The defense will need to improve on stopping the other team from passing at will on them. If the Warhawks improve their 101st ranked pass defense they could have a winning season.

After the top three teams in the conference, BYU, TCU and Utah, the rest of the conference is up for grabs. UNLV has a shot at having a respectable season with seven home games. Playing Utah and BYU on the road this season gives UNLV an advantage. New, Mexico, Wyoming, and Colorado State should collect some wins within the conference this season. The basement of the conference will consist of Air Force and San Diego State.

UNLV Rebels

UNLV has the second most returning starters in the conference. With seven home games against beatable opponents give the Rebels the best shot at finishing fourth in the conference. The Rebel offensive line has plenty of experience and will be able to open holes for running back Frank Summers (928 yards and 6 TDS). The Rebels have one of the best receiver tandems in the league in Randy Wolfe (66 rec. and 784 yards) and Casey Flair (54 rec. and 622 yards). The Rebels were able to move the ball last season but had trouble scoring. Look for the Rebels to get the ball in end zone more often this year. New defensive coordinator is bringing in a system that blitzes and puts constant pressure on the offense. The defense is athletic and should improve on their number from last season. The defense will be led by linebacker Starr Fuimaono (68 tackles). He has the only experience at linebacker. The defensive line has two starters back with more depth this season. The secondary has talent and will be led by safety Daryl Forte (94 tackles and 1 Int.)

Wyoming Cowboys

Wyoming fell apart last season after a 4-3 start that included a win over Virginia. Losing to both San Diego State and Colorado State were tough loses. The offense will have to be able to come up so with some plays downfield if they are to have a good season. QB Karsten Sween (2028 yards and 12 TDS) will need to improve on his numbers if the Cowboys are to improve and save head coach Joe Glenn’s job. Sween will have some help with 14 returning starters. The Cowboys have the best running back tandem in the league with Wynel Seldom (588 yards and 8 TDS) and Devin Moore (1027 and 5 TDS). The offensive line returns all five starters and should help make the Cowboys one of the best running teams in the conference. The Cowboys were -14 in turnovers last season and should improve with experience. The defensive returns the entire line and with defensive end Mitch Unrein (55 tackles and 5 sacks) receiving All-MWC HM. The secondary could be the biggest problem area on the team if the new cornerbacks have trouble. The top three performers from last year’s team are gone but they are very talented and should get plenty of help from the line. The Cowboys were at as bad as they looked at times last season and should improve.

New Mexico Lobos

The Lobos finally broke their post season blues by beating the Nevada Wolfpack 23-0 in the New Mexico Bowl. On paper it looks like a rebuilding year for Lobos after losing 15 starters and 22 lettermen. However, there are key players back in the skilled positions to form the foundation for another successful season. RB Rodney Ferguson (1233 yards and 13 TDS) is the star of the offense this season after making the 1st team ALL-MWC for the second straight season. The offensive line will have to learn on the fly after losing four starters. The line will get some help from the athletic QB Donovan Porterie (3006 Yards and 15 TDS). The defensive will be led by one of the best backfields in the country. The best player in the backfield will be 1st ALL-MWC CB DeAndre Wright (36 tackles and 3 Ints.). The defensive line was hit hard by graduation. The loss of two All-MWC players will be hard to replace. The line is one of the biggest in the conference. The Lobos have the dubious task of playing 12 straight games without a bye.

Colorado State Rams

The Rams stayed within the history of the program when they brought in former Buffalo Bill offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild. Fairchild brought back the Rams former defensive coordinator Lerry Kerr. Kerr was the defensive coordinator for ten years before leaving in 2002. The offense will have to depend on the running game with the inexperience and uncertainty at quarterback. RBs Kyle Bell (1288 yards in ’05) and Gartrell Johnson (991 yards and 6 TDS) will have four returning linemen to run behind. The secondary has two former starters at safety but will need some time with the corners. The Rams had three close losses last season and have several players lost to injuries. There is only one returning starter and that is a good thing. The Line was ranked 103rd in tackles for losses and a new attitude will be in place with the return of Kerr as the coordinator. The linebackers will be much improved with three starters back. The Rams have one of the best kickers in the conference in Jason Smith. (16-20 FG and 33-33 XP)

Air Force Falcons

The Falcons have only eight returning starters back from last season 9-2 ball club. This will spell trouble for second year coach Troy Calhoun. The entire offense has new faces except at tight end Tyke Dekker (25 rec. and 382 yards) and two offensive line spots. The entire offensive backfield will have to be replaced. Missed will be break away threat Chad Hall. The defensive line of the team will be the strength and will be led by Ben Garland (31 tackles and 6 sacks) who switches to the inside position to strengthen the line. The linebackers were hit hard by graduation. All three will have to be replaced. Safety Chris Thomas (110 tackles and 1.5 sacks) will anchor the secondary but will have help from the very versatile Cornerback Reggie Rembert (22 tackles). The kicking game will be strong with both kickers back for their senior campaigns.

San Diego State Aztecs

The Aztecs were out gained by conference opponents last season by an average 127 yards per game. Things will not improve anytime some with only 11 returning starters. The quarterback position will likely go to talented Ryan Lindley but he will need time to grow within the offense. That might take a while with only two starters returning on the offense line to protect him. The running game is unsettled but has several players looking for playing time. The defense has nine returning starters to a defense that was one of the worst in the country last season giving up 34.4 points per game. There are two returning starters on the line and Ohio State transfer Jonathon Soto should help. If there is strength on this ball club it is the linebackers. All three starters will be back including leading tackler Russell Allen (119 tackles and 1 sack). The secondary returns three of the four starters and should improve. Overall, the Aztecs will have trouble moving the ball in the air and that will keep the defense on the field.

The Red Sox – 1 ½

  Life after Manny has gone well for the Red Sox. Boston has won two straight games after getting swept by the Angels. Newly acquired outfielder Jason Bay as hit a home run in each of his first two games. In yesterday’s 12-2 thrashing of Oakland, Bay hit a three run shot in the top of the first inning. Prior to the explosion of offense, the Red Sox had scored just 47 runs over the last 14 games. Boston’s Daisuke Matsuzaka (11-2, 3.04 ERA) will take the mound to face off against Dallas Barden (2-1, 4.39). Dice-K will be facing the worst offense in the league. Oakland has a team batting average of .246 and has scored just 10 runs over their current five game losing streak. Take the Red Sox here to win easily.

The Bronx Bombers passed up a great opportunity to gain ground on the D-rays when they were clubbed 13-4 by the Orioles and the Rays of Tampa Bay fell to the Toronto Blue Jays 3-1. The Yankees were never in the game as they trailed 11-0 before they even got any runs up on the board.  The Yankees have lost two straight games after winning eight straight games since the All-Star break. The Orioles will be sending the struggling Daniel Cabrera (6-6, 4.86 ERA) to the mound while the Yankees will counter with Darrell Rasner. (5-7, 4.83) Both pitchers have been less than impressive over their last three starts. After an impressive start to the season Cabrera has struggled as of late with a record of 1-5 with a 6.15 ERA in 12 starts.  During the 12 starts Cabrera has walked 40 batters. Control has always been a problem with Cabrera. Cabrera led the major leagues in walks last season with 108 walks. Putting the Yankees on base will be a sure recipe for disaster. Despite the two loses the Yankees have been hitting the ball well over their 10 games batting .299 as a team and scoring 5.5 runs per contest. On their home field, the Yankees have won 10 of their last 11 games.  Not to take anything away from the Orioles who scored a season high 13 runs yesterday, but the chances of them repeating on their best game of the season against the Yankees here in this spot will not be likely. Darrell Rasner has already faced the Orioles twice this season limiting them to one run on 10 hits over 13 innings. With days numbered on Yankee Stadium, I expect to see a lot of emotion and fireworks out of the Yankee line-up down the stretch of the regular season.

The MWC was the first non-BCS conference to have a representative in a BCS bowl game in 2004. This may be the year the MWC conference gets a team back in the top tier of bowl games. The BYU Cougars have won 16 straight conference games they win by an average of 20 points per game and are coming off of a bowl game victory over UCLA. The Utah Utes have played BYU to the wire the last two seasons and TCU comes back with the most returning starters to round out the real conference contenders.  The middle of the pack will be decided between New Mexico, UNLV, Wyoming and Colorado State. The cellar of the conference will be filled by San Diego State and Air Force. The MWC conference is much underrated. Overall the conference is a combined 7-2 in bowl games over the last two seasons and fares well against the bigger programs of BCS conferences.

BYU Cougars

The Cougars have owned the MWC conference over the last two seasons. The BYU offensive line is one of the biggest in the country and easily the best in the conference.

The Cougars will be hard to stop on the ground with sophomore Harvey Unga (1227 yards and 44 receptions). The offense will be led by junior Max Hall (3848 yards and 26 touchdowns). Hall will have one of the best receiving corps to throw to led by TE Dennis Pitta (813 yards and 5 touchdowns). The roster is littered with older players that went on their mission and returned to play football. The defensive line has three returning starters led by 1^st team All-MWC Jan Jorgensen (14 sacks). If the team has a weakness it will be the defensive backfield. Only senior David Nixon returns at MLB. All four defensive backs have moved on and will need to be replaced. BYU recruited the bets kicker on the country in freshman Justin Sorensen and will only strengthen one of the best special teams units in the conference.

Utah Utes

The Utes were the first mid major program under the direction of Urban Meyer to prove that a smaller program can compete with the powerhouses of the BCS conferences. The last two seasons has also seen the WAC send a team to one of the major bowls. This season The MWC should get a team back and it may easily be the Utes. Utah has BYU and TCU at home this season. The last two years the Utes had the Cougars on the ropes only to let up and lose both games. Utah has the 2^nd most returning players in the conference and had players miss 51 games due to injury last season. Offensively the Utes will be led by veteran quarterback Brian Johnson (1847 yards and 11 touchdowns). Johnson dominated the league two seasons ago but has been hampered by injuries since and will need to play like his old self if the Utes want to take advantage of their favorable schedule.  Johnson will be handing the ball off to 2^nd team all-MWC Darrell Mack (1204 yards and 12 touchdowns). The offensive line is huge and returns four starters. The defensive line lost two starters but do return DE Paul Kruger (57 tackles and 3 sacks) who received MWC HM in his freshman season. One linebacker returns with any experience, All-MWC OLB Stevenson Sylvester. The defensive backfield returns three starters and nine of their top 10 players from last season. The Utes might have the best special teams players in the country in Punter/Kicker Louie Sakoda. Sakoda punted for 44 yards per punt and nailed 19-22 field goals. If Utah beats BYU this time around, they could easily return to a BCS bowl.

TCU Horned Frogs

The Horned Frogs have 15 returning starters from last year’s squad that went a disappointing 8-5 by TCU standards. Prior to last season, TCU had a record of 22-3 in the first two seasons in conference play after moving over from Conference USA. There are four returning seniors on an offensive line that will look to open holes for Aaron Brown. Brown is finally healthy and the fastest player on a very athletic team. QB Andy Dalton had a rough freshman season but still managed to throw for 2459 yards and showed some good mobility. Look for Dalton to look downfield more this season and improve on his 11 touchdowns. The defense was ranked 15^th in the country last season and could be better this season. Three seniors return along the defensive line that will need to replace leading sacker Chase Ortiz. MLB Jason Phillips has been all-MWC for three straight seasons and is the leader of this defense. The defensive backfield has five players in the 4-2-5 defensive scheme. Junior cornerbacks Rafael Priest and Nick Sanders will be back for their third straight season to make one of the best tandems in the conference. Special teams will be an area of concern having to replace both their kicker and punter. TCU has the benefit of flying under the radar this season with BYU and Utah expected to battle it out for the conference title.

The Mets are in first place after a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. New is York is in first place of the national league for the first tome since April 19th. The Mets will send Mike Pelfrey (8-6, 3.81 ERA) to the mound to face the St. Louis Cardinals and Mitchell Boggs ( 3-1, 6.59)  Since Manager Jerry Manuel has taken over control of the team, the Mets are 21-12. The Mets have won nine of their last 10 games at home. New York has won the last eight games that Pelfry has started.  The Cardinals are coming in after being swept by the Brewers in a four-game home series and have lost their last six straight games against teams with a winning record. Take the Mets – 1 ½ .

Minnesota -110

The Twins have been the best team in baseball over the last month heading into the all-start break and continued their winning ways by pounding the Rangers 6-0 to start off the second half. In the Metrodome the Twins are 17-4 and a difficult opponent for any team. The Rangers have been solid on the road this season but are just 6-15 on field turf. The rangers are also 2-14 against opposing catchers that are allowing 0.5 or less stolen bases per game. Even though Livan Hernandez (9-6, 5.44) has been hit all season, The Twins are 9-2 at home when he pitches and they are 12-4 when he pitches at home.  Take the Twins here against the Rangers.