The 2019 football season is almost here! Well, we’re a few steps closer at least.

Today we get our first look at the upcoming season, as the Sun Belt has officially released the 2019 conference schedule. The highlights of the schedule (in my opinion) are a Thursday night home game in mid-October against the Ragin’ Cajuns and a Senior Night bought against Georgia Southern. Road trips to Georgia, Troy and Monroe will be some of the toughest games on tap, at least according to preseason hype.

Without further ado, here is the 2019 schedule:

8/31 SMU

9/7 @UNLV

9/14 @Georgia

9/21 Sothern Illinois

9/28 @Troy

10/5 @Georgia State

10/17 Louisiana (Thu)

10/26 Texas State

11/2 @ULM

11/16 Coastal Carolina

11/23 Georgia Southern

11/30 @South Alabama

The non-conference slate will be interesting, to say the least. A year ago, the Red Wolves went 3-1 against foes outside of the Sun Belt, and a repeat in that area would be a phenomenal start to the season. A showdown with the Bulldogs in Athens is a tall task to hope for a win, but anything is possible. Southern Illinois should (better be) a win, though SMU and UNLV could both go either way.

Though the Red Wolves lost a few decent players (Sun Belt Player of the Year Justice Hansen, Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year Ro Bingham, Warren Wand and Justin McInnis to name a few), some key pieces are returning. Marcell Murray and Kirk Merrit have already proved they can be among the best-of-the-best in the league, and Logan Bonner looked solid in his few appearances a season ago.

A-State could make a push for the Sun Belt West if everything works out.

The road to winning the West will likely go through last years’ champion, Louisiana. Luckily, the Red Wolves get them at home in the lone midweek game of the season, and road teams tend to fare terribly in the rivalry. Texas State will be a much-improved team, and road games in Louisiana, even at a mostly empty Malone Stadium, are always tough. Coastal Carolina will look to make a postseason appearance after falling just short a year ago, and Georgia Southern could very well win the whole darn thing.

The last time the Red Wolves played the Trojans, Troy came away with a conference championship at Centennial Bank Stadium. The last time they played in Alabama, the Red Wolves demolished the 25th-ranked Trojans on their home field. This game speaks for itself.

The 2019 Sun Belt season will be an interesting one, to say the least. With all the coaching turnover and a lot of the top-dog players departing, it feels as if the whole conference is up for grabs. Who are the favorites? Who are the dark horses? Will the Red Wolves hoist the trophy this year?

Most importantly, though...is it kickoff yet?