Troy University Athletics
Troy Football Picked to Finish Second in Sun Belt East
7/19/2018 1:10:00 PM | Football
TROY, Ala. – Troy, the defending Sun Belt Conference champions, has been picked to finish second in East Division in the annual Preseason Coaches Poll released Thursday by the league office. The 2018 season marks the first with the league split into divisions as the two winners will meet in the inaugural Sun Belt Championship Game on Dec. 1.
Â
Troy received four first place votes but finished two points behind Appalachian State in the East; the Trojans and Mountaineers each claimed a share of the league crown last season and will meet in the final game of the regular season on Nov. 24 in Boone. The remainder of the division was predicted with Georgia Southern in third, Georgia State in fourth and Coastal Carolina in fifth.Â
Â
"Expectations are obviously high heading into the season after what last year's group accomplished," head coach Neal Brown said. "We've got a balanced mix of youth and experience on the roster this year. I'm excited to see how this team establishes its identity on the football field."
Â
Arkansas State was picked to win the West Division and the overall league crown by the conference's 10 head coaches. ULM was slotted second in the West followed by Louisiana, South Alabama and Texas State.
Â
The Trojans were picked to finish second overall heading into the 2017 season campaign; Troy's highest predicted finish since 2011. Troy responded by posting an 11-2 record and a 7-1 mark in league play en route to its record sixth Sun Belt title. The Trojans ended the season on a seven-game winning streak capped by a record-setting performance in the New Orleans Bowl.
Â
The Preseason All-Sun Belt Teams will be released Friday morning in advance of the league's annual Media Day on Monday.
Â
Sun Belt Preseason Poll
East
1.     Appalachian State (6)      46
2.     Troy (4)                 44
3.     Georgia State            26
4.     Georgia Southern       22
5.     Coastal Carolina         12
Â
West
1.     Arkansas State (9)           49
2.     ULM                    37
3.     South Alabama (1)          26
4.     Louisiana               25
5.     Texas State             13
Â
2018 Sun Belt Football Coaches Predicted Championship Game Winner
Arkansas State
Â
Â
Troy received four first place votes but finished two points behind Appalachian State in the East; the Trojans and Mountaineers each claimed a share of the league crown last season and will meet in the final game of the regular season on Nov. 24 in Boone. The remainder of the division was predicted with Georgia Southern in third, Georgia State in fourth and Coastal Carolina in fifth.Â
Â
"Expectations are obviously high heading into the season after what last year's group accomplished," head coach Neal Brown said. "We've got a balanced mix of youth and experience on the roster this year. I'm excited to see how this team establishes its identity on the football field."
Â
Arkansas State was picked to win the West Division and the overall league crown by the conference's 10 head coaches. ULM was slotted second in the West followed by Louisiana, South Alabama and Texas State.
Â
The Trojans were picked to finish second overall heading into the 2017 season campaign; Troy's highest predicted finish since 2011. Troy responded by posting an 11-2 record and a 7-1 mark in league play en route to its record sixth Sun Belt title. The Trojans ended the season on a seven-game winning streak capped by a record-setting performance in the New Orleans Bowl.
Â
The Preseason All-Sun Belt Teams will be released Friday morning in advance of the league's annual Media Day on Monday.
Â
Sun Belt Preseason Poll
East
1.     Appalachian State (6)      46
2.     Troy (4)                 44
3.     Georgia State            26
4.     Georgia Southern       22
5.     Coastal Carolina         12
Â
West
1.     Arkansas State (9)           49
2.     ULM                    37
3.     South Alabama (1)          26
4.     Louisiana               25
5.     Texas State             13
Â
2018 Sun Belt Football Coaches Predicted Championship Game Winner
Arkansas State
Â
Goose Crowder - T-Day
Saturday, April 18
Donnie Smith - T-Day
Saturday, April 18
Gerad Parker - T-Day
Saturday, April 18
Gerad Parker - April 16
Thursday, April 16