2010 Sun Belt Conference football season

Previous season

Troy (9-4) was the Sun Belt champions and lost to Central Michigan in the GMAC Bowl 44-41 in overtime. Although Troy was the conference champion, the team decided to accept an invitation to play in the GMAC Bowl, giving another Sun Belt team the privilege of playing in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. That team was Middle Tennessee (10-3), who became the Sun Belt's first ever 10 win team since the league began playing FBS football in 2001. The 10-3 record earned Middle Tennessee a trip to the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl where they faced Southern Miss and won 42-32.

One other Sun Belt team, Louisiana-Monroe, was bowl eligible with record of 6-6 but was not invited to a bowl game.

Preseason

Sun Belt Coaches Poll

The 2010 Sun Belt coaches preseason poll was announced during a two-day media web-based event on July 19 and 20. Middle Tennessee was selected as the favorite to win the conference.

First Place Votes in Parentheses

1. Middle Tennessee – 75 (5)
2. Troy – 73 (3)
3. Arkansas State – 53
4. Louisiana-Lafayette – 49 (1)
5. Florida Atlantic - 45
6. Florida International – 42
7. Louisiana-Monroe – 32
8. North Texas – 27
9. Western Kentucky - 9

Pre-Season All-Sun Belt Team

Offense

• Dwight Dasher (MT, Sr., QB)
• Alfred Morris (FAU, Jr., RB)
• Lance Dunbar (NT, Jr., RB)
• T. Y. Hilton (FIU, Jr., WR)
• Jerrel Jernigan (Troy, Sr., WR)
• Ladarius Green (ULL, Jr., TE)
• Derek Newton (ASU, Sr., OL)
• Brad Serirni (FIU, Sr., OL)
• Mark Fisher (MT, Sr., OL)
• Esteban Santiago (NT, Sr., OL)
• Tyler Clark (Troy, Sr., OL)

Defense

• Bryan Hall (ASU, Sr., DL)
• Troy Evans (ULM, Jr., DL)
• Jamari Lattimore (MT, Sr., DL)
• Brandon Akpunku (NT, Jr., DL)
• Demario Davis (ASU, Jr., LB)
• Grant Fleming (ULL, Sr., LB)
• Craig Robertson (NT, Sr., LB)
• Tavious Polo (FAU, Sr., DB)
• Anthony Gaitor (FIU, Sr., DB)
• Jeremy Kellem (MT, Sr., DB)
• Bryan Willis (Troy, So., DB)

Special teams

• Alan Gendreau (MT, Jr., Place Kicker)
• Spencer Ortego (ULL, Sr., Punter)
• T. Y. Hilton (FIU, Jr., Return Specialist)

Offensive Player of the Year

• Dwight Dasher (MT, Sr., QB)

Defensive Player of the Year

• Bryan Hall (ASU, Sr., DL)

Postseason

All three bowl-eligible Sun Belt teams were invited to participate in bowl games. These teams compiled a 2-1 record in postseason play.

Players of the Year

Main article: Sun Belt Conference football individual awards

2010 Sun Belt Player of the Year awards

All-Sun Belt Team

Coaches All-Conference Selections

References

References

1. link. (2011-07-18 SunBeltSports.org)
2. link. (2011-07-18 SunBeltSports.org)
3. "ASU Football Has 11 Players Named All-Sun Belt Conference".