Kick off times, Spreads, Broadcast Info and Penetrating Analysis for all Sun Belt Games Week 7 (except for Appalachian State vs Coastal Carolina)

Halfway into the college football season, we get a Tuesday night game between the Mountaineers and Chanticleers in Boone (6:30 PM on ESPN2). Appalachian State is a 5-point favorite given their struggles with ULM, but one has to wonder if Coastal Carolina (diagnosed as “normal” by the Sickos Committee in last week’s Fun Belt Podcast) has their hearts in playing championship football this season. Give the edge (even with the points) to Appalachian State.

Saturday, October 14 (all times CST)

Georgia Southern (4-1) @ James Madison (5-0), 11:00 AM ESPN2, -4.5 Dukes

There’s a theory (unproven) that you can pass on the Dukes – a theory that will be tested once and for all by the Eagles, ranked 9th nationally for its passing proficiency. Jimmy Mads, clearly aware of their defense’s youth and inexperience in the secondary, have dialed the defensive line aggression to 11 to harass opposing QBs into mistakes, a tactic made evident by South Bama’s Carter Bradley’s two-pick performance a couple Saturday’s ago. Look for Georgia Southern’s top tier offensive line to be prepped for such shenanigans.

Prediction: Eagles rise to the challenge

Troy (4-2) @ Army (2-3), 2:30 PM CBS Sports Network, -4.5 Trojans

The Trojans has limited it’s last two opponents (Georgia State and Arkansas State) to just one touchdown and ten total points, making Troy the best total defense in the Sun Belt and 15th overall in the nation. Army, on the other hand, isn’t very good this season, having already been dispatched by ULM. However, these Black Knights are still averaging 200 yards on the ground, and getting a win at West Point ain’t easy.

Prediction: Troy sends Army back to basic training

Marshall (4-1) @ Georgia State (4-1), 6:00 PM ESPN 2, -1 Panthers

Vegas has no idea who’s winning this battle of one-loss divisional foes, and really, neither do we. The Panthers scored just 7 points on Troy’s very, very good defense, and we thought the Thundering Herd’s defense was just as stout – until it gave up 48 points to North Carolina State last Saturday. A deciding factor might be the growth of Marshall quarterback Cam Fancher, who will likely throw a pick against the Panthers, but also throw for 300 yards, too. A counter deciding factor – Georgia State’s running back Marcus Carrol, who’s 9 rushing TDs is second only to Ohio State’s Blake Corum’s 10 and tied with Marshall’s Rasheen Ali.

Prediction: The Thundering Herd out-rumbles the train

ULM (2-3) @ Texas State (4-2), 6:00 PM ESPN+, -16 Bobcats

We were pretty high on the Warhawks after Terry Bowden’s Boys traded bodyblows with Appalachian State. A 55-7 body-slamming from the mercurial Jaguars has us reevaluating. Meanwhile, the Bobcats are terrific behind Hiesman trophy candidate TJ Finley, but a 4th quarter loss to the Cajuns last week reminded us that Texas State is new to this “competing” thing. Will GJ Kinne learn a lesson from the experience? We think so.

Prediction: Bobcats get well again

Image: Sun Belt Sports