North Texas was picked to finish seventh in the eight-team Sun Belt Conference in the league's preseason coaches' poll. Florida Atlantic was a near unanimous pick to win the title, receiving seven of the eight first-place votes.
UNT had just two players selected to the All-Sun Belt Conference team, offensive lineman Kelvin Drake and wide receiver Casey Fitzgerald. FAU swept the preseason player of the year honors with quarterback Rusty Smith earning Offensive Player of the Year and linebacker Frantz Joseph Defensive Player of the Year.
The following is the full team and poll. Post your thoughts on the blog.
Sun Belt Conference Preseason Poll
School;Points
1.Florida Atlantic (6);62
2. Troy (1);51
3. Louisiana-Monroe (1);46
4. Arkansas State;39
5. Middle Tennessee;32
6. Louisiana-Lafayette;26
7. North Texas;19
8. Florida International;13
All Sun Belt Conference Team
The following is the All-Sun Belt Conference team selected by the league's head coaches and select media members who cover the conference on a regular basis.
Offense
QB - Rusty Smith, Florida Atlantic, Jr.
RB - Reggie Arnold, Arkansas State, Jr.
WR - Cortez Gent, Florida Atlantic, Jr.; Casey Fitzgerald, North Texas, Sr.
TE - David Johnson, Arkansas State, Sr.; Zeek Zacharie, Louisiana-Monroe, Sr.
OL - Matt Mandich, Arkansas State, Sr.; Nick Paris, Florida Atlantic, Sr.; Chris Fisher, Louisiana-Lafayette, Jr.; Kelvin Drake, North Texas, Jr.; Dion Small, Troy, Sr.
Defense
DL - Alex Carrington, Arkansas State, Jr.; Robert St. Clair, Florida Atlantic, Sr.; Jervonte Jackson, Florida Atlantic, Sr.; Kenny Mainor, Troy, Sr.
LB - Ben Owens, Arkansas State, Sr.; Frantz Joseph, Florida Atlantic, Sr.; Boris Lee, Troy, Jr
DB - Tavious Polo, Florida Atlantic, So.; Corey Small, Florida Atlantic, Sr.; Greg James, Louisiana-Monroe, Jr.; Alex Suber, Middle Tennessee, Sr.; Sherrod Martin, Troy, Sr.; Tavares Williams, Troy, Sr.
Special teams
P - Scott Love, Louisiana-Monroe, Jr.
PK - Drew Edmiston, Louisiana-Lafayette, Sr.
RS - Desmond Gee, Middle Tennesse, Jr.
Offensive Player of the Year - Rusty Smith, Florida Atlantic
Defensive Player of the Year - Frantz Joseph, Florida Atlantic
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