Analysis, Kick Off Times, Broadcast and Spreads from the Sun Belt

Week 3 provides all the data necessary to determine who is legit and who is pretending in the Sun Belt. Will South Alabama finally wake up? Are the Warhawks for real? Can the Eagles prove themselves genuine in Madison?

Georgia Southern @ Wisconsin, 11:00 AM Big Ten Network, -19 Badgers

The Badgers are returning to Madison after enduring a humiliating defeat to Washington State, a proud member of the PAC 2. Meanwhile, the Eagles have Week 2 Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week Davis Brin to lead Georgia Southern in a cheese raid, filling Statesboro pantries with delicious cheddars. The Eagles defense (who limited UAB to under 100 yards on the ground) will need to put the brakes on the Badgers run game, led by Chez Mellusi and Braelon Allen, if Georgia Southern want to come away from Wisconsin with more than a busload of cheese wheels.

Prediction: Boldly picking the Eagles

Wake Forest @ Old Dominion, 11:00 AM ESPN2, -13.5 Deacons

The Monarchs refreshed the offensive staff over the offseason by adding Kevin Decker as offensive coordinator, providing instant offensive firepower to an ODU team that had trouble scoring points last season. Decker’s power will be tested against the Demon Deacons, who’s well-balanced offense is averaging better than 35 points per game behind QB Mitch Griffis. Looks like we may be in for a shootout in Norfolk.

Prediction: Not enough defense for the Monarchs

East Carolina @ Appalachian State, 2:30 PM ESPN+, -9.5 Mountaineers

The Pirates haven’t had their fill of Sun Belt, apparently, as East Carolina ventures to Boone after failing to defend their ship against Marshall in Week 2. The Mountaineers took North Carolina in overtime last week, failing to close escrow on the Tar Heels once again. Does Shawn Clark focus all the rage on the Pirates? I kind of think he does. Joey Aguilar has been better-than-solid at QB, and while the defense isn’t Mountaineer-standard, it should get the job done at home.

Prediction: Pirates lose their booty to the SBC again

ULM @ Texas A&M, 3:00 PM SEC Network, -36.5 Aggies

It’s a bit of a tradition for the Sun Belt to defeat Texas A&M, with the Red Wolves pulling off the upset in 2008 and Appalachian State delivering the punishment last season. Now the Aggies get the Warhawks, the only 2-0 program in the Sun Belt West. Miami just dropped another painful elbow onto to Jimbo Fischer, and he won’t want to face those bizzare Aggie fans after an loss to ULM. I suspect nobody is underestimating ULM in College Station.

Prediction: ULM acquit themselves honorably in defeat

Tulane @ Southern Miss, 3:00 PM ESPNU, -13 Green Wave

Two SEC teams have begun the season 1-1 and sit fine in the AP Top 25, but one loss to #20 Ole Miss has bounced the Green Wave (and the entirety of the G5) out of the poll. Perhaps Tulane takes this example of classism and pours its feelings of injustice onto Southern Miss, who received a shellacking from Florida State in Week 2. The Golden Eagles were one of just two teams to defeat Tulane last season, and Will Hall will have plenty of reason to keep that streak going.

Prediction: Not enough Frank Gore Jr. to overcome the Wave

Georgia State @ Charlotte, 5:00 PM ESPN+, -7.5 Panthers

Are the Panthers more than just superstar QB Darren Grainger? Running back Marcus Carroll might have elevated himself as Grainger’s wingman after scoring 3 touchdowns on 100+ yards rushing against UCONN in week 2. Meanwhile, Charlotte had a quick start against Maryland last week, only to fall unceremoniously 38-20. They’ll be hungry after that. This game may be the ultimate reveal as to whether or not Georgia State is real or a mirage.

Prediction: Grainger and Carroll run all over the 49ers

South Alabama @ Oklahoma State, 6:00 PM ESPN+/BIG 12 Network, -7.5 Cowboys

Is it just us, or does it feel like the Jags take on Oklahoma State every other season? We’re not looking it up. Anyway, when will Kane Womack, Carter Bradley and South Bama wake up and deliver the dominating performance that seemed destined in the preseason? It would be a good time to do so in Stillwater, with a Cowboys team that is 2-0 but hasn’t exactly looked fantastic in either win.

Prediction: South Alabama does not hit snooze

Louisiana @ UAB, 6:00 PM ESPN+, -3 Blazers

The American is double dipping into the Sun Belt again, this time with the Blazers attempting to rebound on its loss to Georgia Southern with a win over the Cajuns, a team a tepid as mild Tobasco. We all agree that ODU was the worst team in the SBC East, and maybe the worst in the Sun Belt, but that didn’t stop the Monarchs from passing and running all over what was once a might Louisiana defense. Does Cajun quarterback Ben Woodridge muster enough offense to douse the Blazers?

Prediction: Cajuns continue to wonder what the hell is going on

Duquesne @ Coastal Carolina, 6:00 PM ESPN+, NO SPREAD GIVEN

Coastal coasted to a victory over Jacksonville State in week 2 behind a solid-not-spectacular performance from Grayson McCall (268 yards, 1 TD). If the Chanticleers could win every game by one point, they would. We suspect they’ll beat Duquesne by more.

Prediction: Chants win in unmemorable fashion

Stony Brook @ Arkansas State, 6:00 PM ESPN +, NO SPREAD GIVEN

If any team requires a Week 3 match with an 0-2 FCS opponent, it’s the Arkansas State Red Wolves, a program who has scored 3 points in eight quarters of football.

Prediction: Red Wolves score enough TDs. Barely.

James Madison @ Troy, 6:00 PM NFL Network, -2 Trojans, The O’Doul’s Maintain Your Edge Game of the Week

The undefeated Dukes defeated Virginia in Week 2 and were rewarded with 1 vote from the AP. Anyway, now Curt Cignetti and his disdain for humanity takes on Jon Sumrall’s Troy Trojans, who just endured a lifeless defeat against the Kansas State Wildcats. Trojan QB Gunnar Watson didn’t look good in Manhattan. It’s not unreasonable to believe that his looks won’t improve against JMU’s defense – though you can pass on the Dukes’ secondary.

Prediction: Dukes king themselves in Troy

Jackson State @ Texas State, 7:30 ESPN+, NO SPREAD GIVEN

The Bobcats followed a big win over hated in-state rival Baylor with a tough loss to hated in-state rival UTSA. The loss to the Roadrunners toke a physical toll on Texas State. A breather against Jackson State may be all the medicine needed.

Prediction: Bobcats purr

PHOTO CREDIT: The Sun Belt