Sun Belt Showdown: Golden Panthers vs. Red Wolves

The first Tuesday Night college football game of the year will take place today in a battle between two Sun Belt conference rivals. With all of the hype surrounding BCS conference teams and the AP top-25, small conference teams like the Florida International Golden Panthers and Arkansas St Red Wolves are often left completely unnoticed by the average fan and college football expert. However, these non-BCS conference games are often as exciting if not more exciting than an SEC or PAC-12 match-up.

Red Wolves first year head coach Hugh Freeze has already equaled the teams win total from 2010. Freeze came on board with Arkansas St last season as the offensive coordinator and took an offense that ranked 95th in the country the year before to 43rd with a 30 ppg average in 2010. Ryan Aplin is the quarterback of this high-powered spread offense, and has shown that he has the skill-set to move this team down the field. Alpin has one of the best receivers in the conference to throw to in Dwayne Frampton, and takes full advantage of it.

The Golden Panthers will try to slow the passing attack of the Red Wolves with the 32nd ranked defense in division 1 football. Mario Cristobal took over this program in 2007 after they finished the previous year without a win. Things did not get any easier for Florida International in Cristobal’s first year as they extended their losing streak to 23 before winning their final game of the year against North Texas. Since that much needed win, this team has been focused on not only getting better, but getting to a point where they could contend for a Sun Belt title. This could be their year!

Off to a 4-2 start is something that this team expected after finishing the 2010 season with 7 wins in their final 9 games. Returning 8 offensive starters will be the key to FIU’s season. Wesley Carroll is an above average college quarterback that can make plays when needed, but luckily he has a talented running back in Kedrick Rhodes to give this offense the edge they need. Wide Receiver Ty Hilton is far and away Carroll’s number 1 target as more than half of his passing yards have gone to Hilton. The balance of this offense is what makes them so dangerous. It will take a full team effort to take down a talented Red Wolves squad that is off to a 2-0 start in conference play.

Arkansas St is listed as a slight 3 point favorite at home by NCAA football handicappers, but I would not put it past the Panthers to steal this one on the road. Tune in Tuesday night for this Sun Belt showdown.

 

Related posts:

1. Troy and Florida International in Sun Belt Battle
2. Sun Belt Match-Up: Blue Raiders vs. Trojans
3. Golden Bears host Trojans in PAC-12 Showdown
4. Rainbows host Golden Hurricanes in Offensive Showcase
5. Sun Devils are Dangerous Opponent for Missouri

Comments