ATLANTA -- Georgia State was picked to finish fourth in the Sun Belt Conference in the preseason poll of the league's 11 head coaches.
The preseason poll was released Thursday by the league office in advance of the annual Sun Belt Football Media Day, which will take place Monday at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.
Last season, the Panthers were picked ninth in the preseason poll but won their final four regular-season games to finish in fourth place, earning their first bowl berth in the AutoNation Cure Bowl.
Head coach Trent Miles' squad welcomes back 16 starters, led by All-Sun Belt returnees Penny Hart, Robert Davis, Keith Rucker, Chandon Sullivan, Alonzo McGee, Shawanye Lawrence and Bobby Baker.
The Panthers begin practice two weeks from tomorrow on Friday, Aug. 5 as they prepare for their Sept. 2 season opener, when GSU hosts Ball State at the Georgia Dome.
Season tickets for the 2016 season can be purchased by calling 404-413-4020 or visiting GeorgiaStateSports.com.
2016 Sun Belt Football Coaches Predicted Order of Finish
1. Appalachian St. (5) - 114 pts
2. Arkansas State (5) - 110 pts
3. Georgia Southern (1) - 98 pts
4. Georgia State - 73 pts
5. Troy - 70 pts
5. UL Lafayette - 70 pts
7. South Alabama - 62 pts
8. Idaho - 48 pts
9. New Mexico St. - 37 pts
10. Texas State - 30 pts
11. UL Monroe - 14 pts
