Nothing goes to plan in the Sun Belt. For example, check in on Southern Miss, a program whose trajectory seemed to be on the rise after finishing 7-6 last season with a smooth bowl victory over Rice. The Golden Eagles opened 2023 with a thumping of Alcorn State (SBC doesn’t lose to the FCS) and haven’t earned a win since.

What’s wrong with Southern Miss? The Golden Eagles won a lot of one-score games in 2022. The dice simply isn’t rolling in Hattiesburg’s favor these days, with Southern Miss not mustering enough defense of offense when the situation requires. On Saturday, it was a lack of the latter, with ODU holding Southern Miss to just 13 points and the great Frank Gore Jr. to a mere 2.3 yards per carry.

The plot rarely follows the script in the Sun Belt.

#1 ODU is Undefeated Against the Sun Belt West

If only Rickey Rahne could move his team about 1,000 miles west. On Saturday, the Monarchs collected their second win over a SBC West foe – first Louisiana and now Southern Miss. Old Dominion may not be challenging for a conference title this season, but they remain a dangerous conference foe. Unfortunately, the Monarchs’ have exhausted their supply of Sun Belt West opponents this season.

#2 Troy Calmly Demonstrates that Arkansas State Isn’t Ready

After rediscovering the joy of offense and winning three straight, the Red Wolves fell victim to one of the best defenses in college football. Troy’s stingy defense limited A-State to just 203 offensive yards and zero touchdowns, while the Red Wolves run defense made a super-duper star out of superstar RB Kimani Vidal – 245 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Red Wolves are promising, but they’re not yet ready to be a threat in the West.

#3 South Alabama Is Done Goofing Around

After clocking in lackluster performances against Tulane and James Madison, the Jaguars poured all their frustration and fury into clocking the Warhawks 55-7 in Monroe. Carter Bradley passed for 303 yards and three touchdowns and wide receiver Caullin Lacy collected 106 yards and a TD. South Bama’s defense was just as fantastic, picking off Jiya Wright twice and holding ULM to just 250 yards. Everything may finally be clicking for Kane Womack just in time to make a divisional run.  

#4 The AP Top 25 Continues to Dis the Sun Belt

Marshall picked off NC State’s MJ Morris three times on Saturday, but still didn’t have enough defense to defeat the Wolfpack, leaving the Dukes of James Madison the lone undefeated program in the Sun Belt – not that AP voters give a shit. This week’s poll not only omits all G5 programs, it hands the undefeated Dukes just seven votes. The AP is just a Privilged Five orgy, and it’s getting grosser every week.

#5 TJ Finley and Ismail Mahdi Were Fantastic and Louisiana Still Won

Not so fast, Texas State. Rumors of the Cajun’s demise are premature as QB Zeon Chriss led Louisiana to a gritty 34-30 win in Lafayette. It wasn’t for a lack of offensive effort from the Bobcats. Finley finished 326 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and Mahdi racked up 188 yards and a score. But it was the Cajuns defense that came up big, forcing two turnovers and a blocked punt on the Bobcats’ final four possessions. The Bobcats are good, but they’re still outsiders among the SBC West elite – for now.

Image: Sun Belt Sports