Sun Belt kick off times, broadcast, spreads and analysis for Week 4

In Week 4, the Sun Belt steps up for three games versus the MAC, three against the Mountain West, one against CUSA, two in-conference games, one FCS game and a match against the ACC. That’s some oppositional diversity that we won’t see the rest of the season, so please enjoy.

Thursday, September 21

Georgia State @ Coastal Carolina, 6:30 PM ESPN, -7 Chanticleers, The O’Doul’s “Maintain Your Edge” Game of the Week

Think of this Thursday evening game as the Battle Between the Perceived Best Quarterback in the SBC VERSUS the Actual Best Quarterback in the SBC. That’s probably not fair to Coastal’s Grayson McCall (708 yards, 4 TDs, two picks), but the Panthers’ Darren Grainger (803 yards, 6 TDs, zero picks) has been a Heisman Guy this season. Grainger and his primary target Robert Lewis were unstoppable against Charlotte last week. The Chants may be at home, but this Georgia State choo-choo has all the momentum in its caboose.

Prediction: Confidence builds in Atlanta

Saturday, September 23

Western Kentucky @ Troy, 11:00 AM ESPNU, -3.5 Trojans

Nobody likes gut-punching the Sun Belt more than the Hilltoppers, who have crushed SBC opponents in bowl games for two consecutive seasons now. Western Kentucky’s Austin Reed fits the mold of recent Hilltopper QBs, letting the pigskin fly as the offense works its magic. Meanwhile, the Trojans just endured a bruising defensive battle with JMU, holding the Dukes to just 16 – but that was two more points than Troy mustered. What gives first? The rock or the wrecking ball?

Prediction: Troy doesn’t have enough offense

Virginia Tech @ Marshall, 11:00 AM ESPN2, -5 Thundering Herd

The Hokies are a little pokie and the Herd is rumbling after its week 2 victory over East Carolina. However, the utter destruction of the Pirates in Boone has us thinking that beating ECU isn’t as glamorous as it once was. Meanwhile, Virginia Tech already has a victory over the Sun Belt (ODU), and once a program has a taste for Sun Belt blood, it becomes a Sun Belt eater for life. Except maybe this time. Let’s see if Cam Fancher is really The Man in Huntington.

Prediction: Marshall deepens the ACC woe

Georgia Southern @ Ball State, 1:00 PM ESPN+, -6.5 Eagles

Just when it looked like the Eagles were going to make me look smart by picking the upset over Wisconsin, QB Davis Brin coughed up a whopping five interceptions. Am I bitter? Yes. Very much so. But not bitter enough to predict a defeat to Ball, which actually chose to spend its first two weeks of the season getting demolished by Georgia and Kentucky. Brin will get his act together, and the most interesting team in the Sun Belt will continue to be interesting.

Prediction: Ball gets flattened

Texas A&M-COMMERCE @ Old Dominion, 2:30 PM ESPN+, NO SPREAD GIVEN

Texas A&M-Commerce should receive an economics lesson in Norfolk when the Monarchs hand them the coin of defeat. After all, the FCS does not beat the Sun Belt. I’ve been clear on this point. I’ll forget that ODU allowed a swell victory to escape their velvet-gloved grasp against visiting Wake Forest last week. I mean, I will remember it the next time I feel compelled to insult ODU. But not today.

Prediction: Old Dominion dishes out the old business

Central Michigan @ South Alabama, 4:00 PM ESPN+, -15 Jaguars

It’s always a mistake to gaze past the Chippewas, which Kane Womack and South Alabama may be tempted to do in looking ahead to the big SBC matchup with the Dukes. However, Central Michigan is having issues at quarterback and has endured terrible beatings to Michigan State and Notre Dame. Taking a trip down south to Mobile may not be the healthiest sabbatical for the Chips. Womack’s defense is playing mean, and if the win against Oklahoma State hasn’t softened them, the Jags will be even meaner on Saturday.

Prediction: The Chips Lose But Beat the Spread

Appalachian State @ Wyoming, 6:00 PM CBS Sports Network, -2.5 Cowboys

Did crushing the Pirates in Boone cement that the Mountaineers Are Back? Whoh, partner. The Cowboys of Wyoming have their piece to tell. Wyoming opened the season with a 35-33 victory over Texas Tech, and only a miserable fourth quarter to Texas prevents them from enjoying an undefeated season. Appalachian State may be ready to compete in a wide open Sun Belt East, but they will need to defeat the Cowboys in Laramie to be truly “back.”

Prediction: The Mountaineers get lassoed and hogtied

Southern Miss @ Arkansas State, 6:00 PM ESPN+, -7 Golden Eagles

The Golden Eagles’ leading rusher is Frank Gore Jr. Wait! No it’s not. It’s actually Rodrigues Clark, with 157 yards on 29 carries. Gore Jr. has collected only 76 yards on 30 carries in three games, which has us wondering if there is something going on with the Southern Miss backfield. Meanwhile, Red Wolves running back Ja’Quez Cross amassed 164 yards and two TDs against FCS Stony Brook on Saturday. None of this means anything. Gore could find himself in Jonesboro, or Arkansas State can finally find the end zone against an FBS opponent. Everything is possible.

Prediction: The Red Wolves find some missing mojo

Nevada @ Texas State, 6:00 PM ESPN+, -17 Bobcats

Jackson State’s roster was decimated by a celebrity coach now residing in Colorado, so the Bobcats victory over the Tigers isn’t particularly noteworthy other than the fact the GJ Kinne and Associates dropped 77 points on JSU. I don’t care who you’re playing. Seventy-seven points is a lot of points. Go ahead and count to 77. You’ll give up at around 15. Meanwhile, Nevada was recently stomped 33-6 by former SBC member (and now FCS designate) Idaho. There are two wolves inside the Wolf Pack: one bad, one equally as bad, maybe a little worse.

Prediction: Texas State continues the taking back of Texas

Buffalo @ Louisiana, 6:30 ESPN+, -6.5 Cajuns

If the Mountaineers are “back” after emasculating the Pirates, should not the Cajuns be back after pulverizing the Blazers? Louisiana’s angry bounce back after its dismal loss to ODU was just the soothing ointment Mike Desormeaux needed. Now the Ragin Cajuns get an 0-3 Buffalo who lost by three to Fordham and by many to Wisconsin and Liberty. Expect the Bulls to receive both a helping of gumbo and a spicy walloping in Lafayette.

Prediction: Cajuns make burgers out of Buffalo

James Madison @ Utah State, 7:00 PM streamed on the Mountain West Network, -6.5 Dukes

We’re not sure how many Sun Belt fans will be streaming the MWC Network to watch what should be an entertaining game on Saturday night. But you can bet that Curt Cignetti and his Discount Double Checking assistants will be ready to go after defensively smothering Troy 16-14 last Saturday. The Aggies are currently struggling offensively, having produced low point efforts in losses to Iowa State and Air Force. If the Dukes can take a change in altitude, James Madison should have little trouble coming away with the dub.

Prediction: King the Dukes

Photo Credit: Sun Belt