2018 Sun Belt football coaches' predicted order of finish
Predicted championship game winner: Arkansas State
Team (first-place votes);points
West Division
1. Arkansas State (9);49 pts
2. Louisiana-Monroe;37 pts
In 2017, the Warhawks were 25th in the NCAA with 33.9 points per game but 125th in scoring defense at 41 points allowed per game.
Junior quarterback Caleb Evans returns (second-team preseason All-Sun Belt), but Coach Matt Viator has put his focus on the defense to improve from a 4-8 season.
"Depth-wise has to be better," said Viator, 54.