MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama football was picked to finish third in the 11-team league in the Sun Belt preseason coaches’ poll, released Saturday.
The Jaguars received 98 points, trailing only defending co-champions Louisiana-Lafayette and Arkansas State. In-state rival Troy was picked fourth, directly behind South Alabama.
Ragin’ Cajuns Unanimous Favorite
Louisiana-Lafayette was the unanimous choice to win the conference, collecting all 11 first-place votes and 121 points. Arkansas State was second with 102 points.
The two programs shared the Sun Belt title last season, each finishing 5-2 in league play.
Newcomers Picked in Bottom Half
The conference adds four football members this season. Appalachian State was the highest-rated of the newcomers at seventh, followed by Georgia Southern in eighth and Idaho in ninth. New Mexico State, also new to the league, was picked last. Georgia State was picked 10th.
Full Preseason Poll
- 1. Louisiana-Lafayette (11 first-place votes), 121 points
- 2. Arkansas State, 102
- 3. South Alabama, 98
- 4. Troy, 84
- 5. Louisiana-Monroe, 78
- 6. Texas State, 70
- 7. Appalachian State, 47
- 8. Georgia Southern, 44
- 9. Idaho, 29
- 10. Georgia State, 27
- 11. New Mexico State, 26
Outperforming Last Year’s Projection
A year ago, entering its first season as a full Football Bowl Subdivision and Sun Belt member, South Alabama was picked seventh in what was then an eight-team league.
The Jaguars instead closed the 2013 season with three straight wins to finish 6-6 overall and 4-3 in conference play. That record left them in a four-way tie for third place with Troy, Western Kentucky and Louisiana-Monroe. Western Kentucky joined Conference USA on July 1.
South Alabama’s regular-season finale was a 30-8 victory over co-champion Louisiana-Lafayette at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
Despite reaching bowl eligibility, and despite a social media push by fans aimed at bowl selection committees, South Alabama did not receive a bowl invitation.
The Jaguars, coached by Joey Jones, begin their second full season of Sun Belt competition this fall.
