CFN: Sun Belt Conference preview

Published Aug. 22, 2009 6:39 p.m. ET

foxsports

Does the Sun Belt Conference have staying power?

Of course, to have staying power, a conference has to be at a high level to begin with, and although the Sun Belt isn't going to be confused with the SEC or the Big 12 any time soon, it is coming off a nice season that brought a new measure of respect.

The Florida Atlantic win over Central Michigan, in Detroit, was a rock-solid postseason moment, while Arkansas State (beating Texas A&M 18-14 and losing to Southern Miss 27-24), Troy (who had Ohio State in trouble before losing late and had LSU in real trouble before collapsing in the fourth), and Middle Tennessee (who beat Maryland 24-14) showed that games against the Sun Belt aren't always the layups the big boys are expecting.