The Sun Belt Conference released its 2008 Preseason Sun Belt Poll and All-Sun Belt Team, with Florida Atlantic receiving six first-place votes by the league’s eight head coaches.



The Owls received 62 total points, followed by second-place Troy with 51. Louisiana-Monroe came in third (46), followed by Arkansas State (39), Middle Tennessee (32), Louisiana-Lafayette (26), North Texas (19) and Florida International (13).



The Owls also saw a league-high eight players selected to the All-Conference team, led by junior quarterback Rusty Smith and senior linebacker Frantz Joseph who were selected as Preseason Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year respectively. Voted on by the league’s head coaches and selected media members, the team also consists of five Troy Trojans and five Arkansas State Red Wolves. Both Louisiana-Lafayette and Louisiana-Monroe had three members selected.



2008 Preseason Sun Belt Poll

As voted on by the league’s eight head coaches.

First place votes in parentheses.



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





Preseason All-Sun Belt Team

As voted on by the league’s eight head coaches and selected media members.



Offense

QB: Rusty Smith (FAU, Jr.)

RB: Reggie Arnold (ASU, Jr.)

RB: Tyrell Fenroy (ULL, Sr.)

WR: Cortez Gent (FAU, Jr.)

WR: Casey Fitzgerald (NT, Sr.)

TE: David Johnson (ASU, Sr.)

TE: Zeek Zacharie (ULM, Sr.)

OL: Matt Mandich (ASU, Sr.)

OL: Nick Paris (FAU, Sr.

OL: Chris Fisher (ULL, Jr.)

OL: Kelvin Drake (NT, Jr.)

OL: Dion Small (Troy, Sr.)



Defense

DL: Alex Carrington (ASU, Jr.)

DL: Robert St. Clair (FAU, Sr.)

DL: Jervonte Jackson (FAU, Sr.)

DL: Kenny Mainor (Troy, Sr.)

LB: Ben Owens (ASU, Sr.)

LB: Frantz Joseph (FAU, Sr.)

LB: Boris Lee (Troy, Jr.)

DB: Tavious Polo (FAU, So.)

DB: Corey Small (FAU, Sr.)

DB: Greg James (ULM, Jr.)

DB: Alex Suber (MT, Sr.)

DB: Sherrod Martin (Troy, Sr.)

DB: Tavares Williams (Troy, Sr.)



Special Teams

P: Scott Love (ULM, Jr.)

PK: Drew Edmiston (ULL, Sr.)

RS: Desmond Gee (MT, Jr.)



Preseason Offensive Player of the Year

Rusty Smith (FAU, Jr., Quarterback)



Preseason Defensive Player of the Year

Frantz Joseph (FAU, Sr., Linebacker)