Can’t Wait For Saturday | Conference countdown continues: Extra enjoyable within the Sun (Belt) for the Dukes? | Sports activities

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Greetings from “Can’t Wait For Saturday,” your morning morsel of school soccer, courtesy of longtime Illini beat author, AP Top 25 voter and Heisman state rep Bob Asmussen. He’ll provide you with his views every day on the sport he loves.

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So, I already ranked the groups, 1 to 40.

How am a sense in regards to the conferences? There are 10 taking part in within the Football Bowl Subdivision. As the season approaches, right here is my checklist — in reverse order after all.

If you assume I’ve misplaced my marbles with the order, let me have it at [email protected]. Remember, I’m delicate so please no digital booing if that may be a factor.

LEAGUE TEAMS

8. SUN BELT 14

TEAM TO BEAT

James Madison

— The final two head coaches of the Dukes at the moment are within the Big Ten: Indiana miracle employee Curt Cignetti and UCLA’s Bob Chesney, who led James Madison to the College Football Playoff. No stress on the brand new man, Billy Napier, who is aware of what that’s about from his time at Florida.

— Chesney took a few of his greatest from JMU with him to California in what needed to be the best gross sales pitch ever. The Dukes welcome again simply three starters, one on offense and two on protection.

— The expectations in Harrisonburg at the moment are sky excessive, which on this case is an efficient factor. The help is robust and Napier’s background in each the Sun Belt and SEC helps.

CIRCLE THE DATE

Troy at James Madison, Oct. 29.

The Trojans can be on the lookout for revenge after shedding by 17 to the Dukes in 2025. James Madison is taken into account the favourite to take the East and Troy is a decide within the West. Look for an enormous season from Trojans quarterback Goose Crowder, who began his profession at West Virginia.

PREVIOUS

9. MAC

10. Conference USA

Bob Asmussen is a university soccer reporter and columnist for The News-Gazette. He might be reached at 217-393-8248 or [email protected].