Fansided

Sun Belt really earning their Fun Belt nickname this season

By Alicia de Artola

AMES, IA - SEPTEMBER 12: Running back Emani Bailey #20 of the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns celebrates with his teammates as he leave the field after the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns defeated the Iowa State Cyclones 31-14 at Jack Trice Stadium on September 12, 2020 in Ames, Iowa. The Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns won 31-14 over the Iowa State Cyclones. (Photo by David K Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA - SEPTEMBER 12: Running back Emani Bailey #20 of the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns celebrates with his teammates as he leave the field after the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns defeated the Iowa State Cyclones 31-14 at Jack Trice Stadium on September 12, 2020 in Ames, Iowa. The Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns won 31-14 over the Iowa State Cyclones. (Photo by David K Purdy/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Sun Belt truly has been the Fun Belt in the first two weeks of the college football season.

There may not be Pac-12 After Dark or MACtion, but the Sun Belt is making up for it by delivering Fun Belt excitement.

Seriously, the Sun Belt has been one of the big winners of the college football restart. Already the conference has produced three upsets, including two against the Big 12.

Saturday started with Louisiana spoiling No. 23 Iowa State’s opener, 31-14. The Ragin’ Cajuns rode a wave of big plays to victory with a 95-yard kickoff return, a 78-yard touchdown pass and an 83-yard punt return. The Cyclones didn’t know what hit them.

The Fun Belt wasn’t done yet.

With big upsets from Arkansas State, Louisiana and Southern Alabama, the Sun Belt is earning all of their Fun Belt moniker early in the season

Arkansas also took their opportunity to stun their Big 12 hosts Kansas State, 35-31.

After falling behind 21-7 in the second quarter, the Red Wolves charged back to take a 28-21 lead in the fourth quarter. They did so with a wide receiver touchdown pass and the help of a fake punt on the go-ahead drive, proving trick plays are the best part of any upset bid.

When the Wildcats restored their lead with 10 quick points, quarterback Layne Hatcher led a game-winning drive in the final minute, tossing a 17-yard strike with 38 seconds on the clock.

Just as everyone guessed, the Sun Belt now holds a 2-0 record over the Big 12 in 2020. Coastal Carolina could make it 3-0 with an unexpected win over Kansas on Saturday night.

Meanwhile, Appalachian State legitimized their claim for a Top 25 ranking going forward with a 35-20 win over Charlotte.

Even last week the Sun Belt proved formidable.

South Alabama snapped a 15-game losing streak on the road by upsetting Southern Mississippi on the road, 32-21.

Though they lost in Week 1, Texas State and Arkansas State played SMU and Memphis tough.

It’s the Sun Belt’s world, we’re just living in it.

CFB150: 150 most iconic moments of all time. dark. Next

For more NCAA football news, analysis, opinion and unique coverage by FanSided, including Heisman Trophy and College Football Playoff rankings, be sure to bookmark these pages.

Home/College Football