Sun Belt Conference coaches have confidence in Troy and South Alabama.
Troy received two first-place votes and finished second in preseason balloting, according to the Sun Belt Conference Coaches Poll, released today. The league's 12 coaches picked South Alabama to finish fourth.
Appalachian State, fresh off finishing 10-3 in 2016, received seven first-place votes and was tabbed as the preseason favorite.
Troy finished 10-3 and defeated Ohio 28-23 in the Dollar General Bowl in Mobile. It was Troy's first 10-win season since joining the Football Bowl Subdivision.
The second-place prediction is Troy's highest since the Trojans were also picked to finish second before the 2011 season.