NEW ORLEANS — After securing a third straight Sun Belt Conference football title in 2018 with a victory in the league’s inaugural championship game, Appalachian State has been picked to win another Sun Belt championship in 2019.
A vote by league coaches in advance of Monday’s Sun Belt Media Day in New Orleans tabbed App State the East Division favorite and Louisiana the West Division favorite. Those two programs met for the Sun Belt title last year, with the Mountaineers claiming a 30-19 victory in Boone, and Appalachian has been picked to repeat as the championship game winner.
The 2019 championship game will be held Dec. 7 at the home venue of the division winner with the highest winning percentage in conference play.
The Mountaineers are entering their first season under the direction of head coach Eliah Drinkwitz. Only five of the 22 primary offensive and defensive starters from a record-breaking 11-2 season in 2018 are gone, and the return of nine All-Sun Belt performers from last season has added to the excitement.
App State received 46 points and seven first-place votes to rank ahead of second-place Troy (39 points with one first-place vote) and Georgia Southern (35 points with two first-place votes) in the East Division poll. Coastal Carolina and Georgia State rounded out the East side. With 46 points and six first-place votes, Louisiana was picked to win the West Division ahead of Arkansas State (42 points with three first-place votes), ULM, South Alabama and Texas State.
App State will open the 2019 season with an Aug. 31 home game against East Tennessee State.
The rest of the home schedule at Kidd Brewer Stadium involves matchups in Boone with Charlotte (Sept. 7), Coastal Carolina (Sept. 28), ULM (Oct. 19), Georgia Southern (Thursday, Oct. 31) and Texas State (Nov. 23). The road games are at North Carolina (Sept. 21), Louisiana (Wednesday, Oct. 9), South Alabama (Oct. 26), South Carolina (Nov. 9), Georgia State (Nov. 16) and Troy (Friday, Nov. 29).
The Sun Belt Media Day is being held Monday in New Orleans at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Drinkwitz and two App State players (quarterback Zac Thomas, safety Josh Thomas) will participate in interviews throughout the day, as Monday’s media schedule begins at 9:30 a.m. ET with Sun Belt Commissioner Keith Gill giving his “State of the Conference” address.
2019 Sun Belt Football Coaches Predicted Championship Game Winner
Appalachian State
2019 Sun Belt Football Coaches Predicted Order of Finish
First-place votes in parentheses
East Division
- Appalachian State (7) – 46 pts
- Troy (1) – 39 pts
- Georgia Southern (2) – 35 pts
- Coastal Carolina – 17 pts
- Georgia State – 13 pts
West Division
- Louisiana (6) – 46 pts
- Arkansas State (3) – 42 pts
- ULM – 27 pts
- South Alabama (1) – 19 pts
- Texas State – 16 pts
Podcasts/Media
-
Podcast
/ 5 days agoOutta Pocket with Michael Davis – Fri April 19th 2024
Hosted by Michael DavisFriday Panel: Austin Summers, Carsen Williams, Desmond Johnson (Producer) Participate live...
-
Podcast
/ 6 days agoFranchise Players – Thurs April 18th 2024
Hosted by Desmond JohnsonThis week on Franchise Players… Tune in Fridays in the Triad!...
-
Podcast
/ 1 week agoThe Cat Cave: A Carolina Panthers Podcast – Ep 48 – Weds April 17th 2024
It’s Mock Draft Wednesday! Enter the Cat Cave with Michael Davis, Ryan Frick, and...
-
Podcast
/ 1 week agoOutta Pocket with Michael Davis – Live 1230pm Tues April 16th 2024
Hosted by Michael DavisTues Panel: Mike Mele, Shawn Lucas, Desmond Johnson (Producer) Top Rope...
WWE
-
Podcast
/ 2 months agoDrop The Mike Podcast – Lodi Interview & Revolution Recap – Weds March 7th 2024
Lodi, former WCW wrestler, joins Drop the Mike this week for a special interview...
-
Podcast
/ 2 months agoDrop the Mike Podcast – Ep 75 – Weds Feb 14th 2024
The slap heard around the world! Join host Michael Davis and John Anthony (from...
-
Podcast
/ 3 months agoDrop The Mike Podcast – Wed Feb 7th 2024
The Rock or Cody Rhodes? Michael Davis is joined by Mike Mele (Mouthing Off...
-
WWE
/ 3 months agoThe Rock vs. Roman Reigns: Dream Match to Reality
On this Friday’s SmackDown, the Royal Rumble winner Cody Rhodes arrived to make his...
NFL/Carolina Panthers
-
NFL
/ 6 days agoWho Should The Panthers Pick at 33: Inside Linebacker
As the NFL Draft approaches, the Carolina Panthers find themselves in a pivotal position...
-
NFL
/ 1 week agoWho Should The Panthers Pick at 33: Wide Receiver
As the Carolina Panthers prepare for the 2024 NFL Draft, one position of interest...
-
NFL
/ 1 week agoCam Newton offers advice to Bryce Young: ‘Voicing his opinion is important’
Published by On3 Cam Newton is looking forward to seeing what Bryce Young does...
-
NFL
/ 1 week agoBleav in Carolina Panthers Ultimate 53 Man Roster: The Offense
The Carolina Panthers faithful have always been vocal and passionate about their team, and...