Location United States of America | Total attendance 1,079,575 Dates 1 Sep 2016 – 9 Jan 2017 Number of teams 11 | |
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Duration September 1, 2016through January 2017 Similar 2015 NCAA Division I, 2014 NCAA Division I, 2013 NCAA Division I, 2012 NCAA Division I, 2016 American Athletic C | ||
The 2016 Sun Belt Conference football season represents the 16th season of football for the Sun Belt conference taking place during the 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The season began on September 1 with Appalachian State facing Tennessee. This is the third season for the Sun Belt under realignment that took place in 2014, which added the tenth and eleventh members – Idaho and New Mexico State. Both teams were previously an independent before joining the conference. The Sun Belt Conference is a "Group of Five" conference under the College Football Playoff format along with the American Athletic Conference, Conference USA, the Mid-American Conference, and the Mountain West Conference.
Contents
- 2016 predictions
- Season
- Sun Belt vs Power Conference matchups
- Players of the Year
- All Sun BeltAmerican Team
- Home attendance
- References
The Sun Belt consists of 11 members: Appalachian State, Arkansas State, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Idaho, Louisiana–Lafayette, Louisiana–Monroe, New Mexico State, South Alabama, Texas State, and Troy; and whoever is on the top of the standings in conference play are crown winners of the conference.
Arkansas State enters the season as defending Sun Belt champions as they went undefeated in conference play. The Red Wolves would then go on to lose to Louisiana Tech in the New Orleans Bowl 28–47.
2016 predictions
The 2016 preseason coaches predictions were released on July 21, 2016 with the vote conducted by the head football coaches of each conference school. Appalachian State was picked to win the conference for the first time in school history. After coming second in the conference last year which resulted a trip to the Camellia Bowl, the Mountaineers will return 22 starters on the field for the upcoming season. As a runner up the media predicts Arkansas State to overcome the other 9 teams in the division. Arkansas State has claimed their 4th title in the last five years including last season. The Red Wolves will bring back six starters on offense and seven starters on defense.
Below are the results of the coaches poll with total points received next to each school and first-place votes in parentheses.
References:
Season
For the first time in the 16-year history of Sun Belt football, a team from the conference was ranked in the top 25 of the AP Poll. In Week 11, the Troy Trojans, with a record of 8-1, received the #25 spot in the AP Poll. The Trojans lost their next game, to Arkansas State, to drop back out of the rankings.
Sun Belt vs Power Conference matchups
This is a list of the power conference teams (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, SEC) Sun Belt plays in non-conference (Rankings from the AP Poll):
Players of the Year
2013 Sun Belt Player of the Year awards
All-Sun Belt/American Team
Coaches All-Conference Selections
Honorable Mention: Appalachian State: Barrett Burns, A. J. Howard, Taylor Lamb, Myquon Stout; Arkansas State: Justice Hansen, Chris Humes, Waylon Roberson, Kendall Sanders; Georgia Southern: Kevin Ellison, Darius Jones, Jr., Ukeme Eligwe, B. J. Johnson III; Georgia State: Shawanye Lawrence, Alonzo McGee, Keith Rucker, Chandon Sullivan; Idaho: Trent Cowan, Kaden Elliss, Tony Lashley, Jordan Rose; Louisiana-Lafayette: Keenan Barnes, Karmichael Dunbar, Eddie Gordon, Tre'maine Lightfoot; Louisiana-Monroe: Justin Backus, David Griffith, Ajalen Holley, Frank Sutton, Jr.; New Mexico State: Kourtland Busby, Greg Hogan, Anthony McMeans, Tyler Rogers; South Alabama Roman Buchanan, Kalen Jackson, Xavier Johnson, Kevin Kutchera; Texas State: Ryan Kay, William Lloyd, Kamryn Melton, Baron Poole; Troy: Aaron Brewer, Bryan London, Gabe Loyd , Jordan Mittie.
Home attendance
Bold – Exceed capacity
†Season High