Jeremy Harper Appalachian State, Arkansas State Athletics, Cajuns, Coastal Carolina, Football, G5, Georgia Southern Eagles, Georgia State Panthers, James Madison University, July Content, Louisiana, Marshall, Old Dominion, Red Wolves, South Alabama, Southern Miss, Sun Belt, Texas State, Troy, Troy Trojans, ULM

The Sun Belt humbly accepts its role as the best football conference in the G5

“The Sun Belt…is rising,” said Commissioner Keith Gill for what was likely a record number of times delivered in a single speech. It was an exercise in repetition with which Gill used to underscore the conference’s many achievements during Sun Belt Media Days (held July 25-26).  “As we celebrate football,” pronounced Gill, “it’s obvious that the Sun Belt Conference has never been better.”

Commissioner Gill has reason to crow. Thanks to constructing the conference on footprint and rivalry, 35 million people watched Sun Belt football on television last year, a near 100% increase over 2021. Furthermore, since 2020 only 10 FBS programs have won more than 75% of their games. Four of the nation’s conferences have two each out of those 10—the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12 and Sun Belt. Lastly, since the dawn of the College Football Playoff in 2014, the Sun Belt has turned in a .614 bowl winning percentage – the best in the FBS.

It wasn’t just the Commissioner feeling the vibe. Conference coaches were picking up on Gill’s rizz.

“We’ve said it before and it’s the truth, we are the premier Group of Five conference in all of college football,” said Troy head coach Jon Sumrall. “It’s not arguably any more, it’s factually, the best Group of Five conference in America,” added Arkansas State head coach Butch Jones. Old Dominion head coach Ricky Rahne was just as matter-of-fact. “This is the best Group of Five league out there, and I don’t think it’s even close.”

Butch Jones crunched the numbers and determined that SBC = BEST

Players who attended Sun Belt Media Days echoed the sentiment. “There’s no relaxing in this conference,” said Jason Henderson, certified tackle machine for Old Dominion. “Everybody is the Sun Belt is a tough opponent, top to bottom.”

Of course, players, coaches and commissioners may have a biased opinion when assessing the greatness of their own conference, but who’s to challenge the Sun Belt? The crumbling AAC, whose lack of general buzz and interest infuriated American newcomer Biff Poggi? Is it the Mountain West, whose relevant programs seemed doomed to become conscripted into Power Five avarice? Surely it’s not CUSA with its comical hodgepodge membership, or the silent and sturdy MAC, who seem content with remaining the Kings of Tuesday Night.

Fact is, the Sun Belt is where you’ll find the heat. Though yet to receive a New Years Eve invite, it’s only a matter of time before the Committee sees the value. As Commissioner Gill said often, “The Sun Belt is rising.” And we get to come along for the ride.

PHOTO CREDITS: ME