The 2012 Independence Bowl features two teams that pulled off big upsets during the opening week of the season. Ohio defeated Penn State while Louisiana-Monroe defeated #8 Arkansas. The Ohio Bobcats (8-4) and the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks (8-4) will face off in Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana on Friday afternoon.

The 2012 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl features two teams with odd mascots. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (7-5) face off against the Central Michigan Chippewas (6-6) at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan on Wednesday night.

Last season, the conference featured the exploits of the exciting Jerrel Jernigan and FIU's T.Y. Hilton. While Hilton returns for his senior year, he may take a step behind two dynamic running backs. North Texas stalwart Lance Dunbar (#5 pictured) and Western Kentucky RB Bobby Rainey are two of the nation's best at their position. We look for those two firestarters to set the pace for the Sun Belt in 2011.