Match Ups, Game Times, Analysis, Broadcast and Vegas Odds for Every Game in the Sun Belt

Georgia Southern finally put an end to Nevada’s reign of terror. After scaring the horse crap out of SMU and then shaming Troy, the Eagles said “enough!” to the Wolfpack by delivering a 3-point thumping to the Mountain West foe. I honestly don’t know why I’m relieved to see Georgia Southern beat Nevada, except maybe nobody should be allowed to defeat the Sun Belt two weeks in a row. In fact, Commissioner Keith Gill would do well to add this edict to the SBC policy guide.

Over all, it was another mixed bag for the Sun Belt in Week 2 with a second round of FCS near death experiences and disappointing failures to humble the Privileged Four. However, the Sun Belt did pick up victories over the Mountain West and AAC, six SBC programs remain undefeated, and new ULM head coach Bryant Vincent ate a cold dish of revenge in a win over UAB. Not a bad bag if you pick out the raisins.

SUN BELT ON BYE: ULM, James Madison, Louisiana, and Marshall

Thursday, September 12

Arizona State Sun Devils (2-0) @ Texas State Bobcats (2-0), 6:30 PM CST, ESPN, -2.5 Sun Devils

The Bobcats could lose the remaining games on their schedule but still rest easy in the knowledge that they destroyed UTSA in Week 2, an undertaking never before achieved. Jordan McCloud three for 309 yards and two passing TDs to secure Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week honors, and Lincoln Pare emerged from the ether to run for a 100+ yards and two TDs. Now they host the Sun Devils, a team that crisply dispatched the historically tough Wyoming Cowboys in week one and followed it with a big win over Mississippi State in Week 2. Two things the Bobcats will need to guard against: the Arizona State defense, which has already recorded three touchdowns, and Cam Skattebo who rushed for a career-high 262 yards against the Bulldogs.

THE PICK: Sun Devils with regrets, but that defense is on fire

Northwestern State Demons (0-2) @ South Alabama Jaguars (0-2), 6:30 PM CST, ESPN+, NO ODDS GIVEN

The Demons, who forfeit half their season in 2023 under tragic circumstances, opened the year with a thumping loss to Tulsa, then played more competitively in a losing effort to Prairie View A&M. The Demons may be a sieve on defense, but they can score, averaging 26 points per game. This may cause some gastrointestinal events for the Jaguars, who had little success in stopping the offensive attacks of North Texas and Ohio. That means new head coach Major Applewhite will need more production from his young QB Gio Lopez (3 TD passes on the year) and his promising freshman running back Fluff Bothwell. 

THE PICK: Jags finally get a W, but the Demons will score

Saturday, September 14

Arkansas State Red Wolves (2-0) @ #17 Michigan Wolverines (1-1), 11:00 AM CST, Big Ten Network, -22.5 Wolverines

Success has depleted the Michigan. Not only has the NFL plucked head Wolverine Jim Harbaugh, it has swiped 13 key players – including quarterback JJ McCarthy, defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, and cornerback Mike Sainristil. A lackluster 31-12 home loss to Texas in Week 2 seems to bear out the concerns. Now they host an unruffled Red Wolves team that has eeked out wins over UCA and Tulsa behind the playmaking of QB Jaylen Raynor, who leads all Sun Belt quarterbacks in passing yards (572 yards, 3 TDs) and rushing yards (122 yards, 2 TDs).

THE PICK: Big House may be too big for A-State, but that spread looks too big, to.

Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (2-0) @ Temple Owls (0-2), 1:00 PM CST, ESPN+, -17.5 Chants

Something must be insanely wrong with the Owls to get tagged with a -17.5 spread from Vegas, even if it’s to a surprisingly robust Coastal Carolina team who minced Jacksonville State and William & Mary. Yes, Temple looked bad in a 51-3 loss to #16 Oklahoma, and sure they didn’t look much better in a 38-11 defeat to Navy, and it’s true that Temple’s leading rusher has only 33 yards. Okay, something is insanely wrong with Temple. After two weeks, Ethan Vasko leads the Sun Belt’s most prolific offense, and pads should be padded in Philly this week.

THE PICK: The Chants put another Sun Belt dent in the AAC

Troy Trojans (0-2) @ Iowa Hawkeyes (1-1), 3:00 PM CST, FSI, -22.5 Hawkeyes

Think that big fat line is disrespectful to the current Sun Belt Champions? Going 0-2 with losses to Nevada and Memphis will do that to your reputation. It doesn’t helped that new head coach Gerad Parker has a number of dinged starters, but it’s clear that the roster decimation has proved too catastrophic for Troy in 2024. Meanwhile, I guess Vegas likes Iowa even after enduring a one-point loss to in-state rival Iowa State. Still, the Hawkeyes put 40 on Illinois State to open the season, and Vegas is pretty much saying Troy is barely twice Illinois State.

THE PICK: Iowa, but by 22? I’m not seeing it.

O’DOUL’S “MAINTAIN YOUR EDGE” SBC GAME OF THE WEEK: Appalachian State Mountaineers (1-1) @ Eastern Carolina Pirates (2-0), 3:00 PM CST, ESPNU, -2.5 Mountaineers

Didn’t we say in the introduction that “nobody should be allowed to defeat the Sun Belt two weeks in a row?” The cheek on these Pirates, attempting to scuttle the Mountaineers just a week after making the Monarchs walk the plank! The Mountaineers didn’t look good on their trip to Clemson, giving up 35 points in the first quarter while scoring zero, but maybe the Tigers were just juiced after getting their cantaloupes thumped by Georgia. Expect Appalachian State to take their feelings out on the Pirates

THE PICK: The Mountaineers by more than 2.5

Virginia Tech Hokies (1-1) @ Old Dominion Monarchs (0-2), 5:00 PM CST, ESPN+, -14 Hokies

Didn’t we say in the introduction and one paragraph ago that “nobody should be allowed to defeat the Sun Belt two weeks in a row?” The cheek on these Hokies, attempting to trounce the Monarchs just a week after dunking the Thundering Herd! Monarchs have lost to South and East Carolina by a total of 10 points and are likely grinding their teeth at night dreaming of the near wins. The fact is, starting QB Grant Wilson needs to find his touchdown touch if he wants to finally reward the Monarchs’ defense for keeping the games within striking distance.

THE PICK: Old Dominion gets the home upset

South Carolina State Bulldogs (1-1) @ Georgia Southern Eagles (1-1), 5:00 PM CST, ESPN+, NO ODDS GIVEN

JC French was efficient in a Week 2 win over Nevada (243 yards, 2 touchdowns), but star running back Jalen White is only averaging 3 yards per run attempt. The Eagles are supposed to be terrors on the ground, right? Georgia Southern currently ranks 112th in the nation for rushing, averaging a puzzling 90 yards per contest. On the other side, the Bulldogs are coming off a win against the Citadel, so they do have a taste for man flesh now.

THE PICK: Eagles finish the day 2-1

Vanderbilt Commodores (2-0) @ Georgia State Panthers (1-1), 6:00 PM CST, ESPN+, -10.5 Commodores

Dell McGee received his first win as Panthers head coach on Saturday, earning a hard 24-21 victory over Chattanooga. QB Christian Veilleux compiled 238 yards and two touchdowns while receiving help on the ground from Freddie Block (73 yards and a score). Welcoming the Commodores to Atlanta is a nice edge for the Panthers – this is Vandy’s first road trip. But they’ve had a nice start to the year, following up a win over Virginia Tech with a 55-0 crushing of Alcorn State. There’s something different about this Vanderbilt team, and it’s likely different enough to get the win.

THE PICK: Vanderbilt wins and covers

South Florida Bulls (1-1) @ Southern Miss Golden Eagles (1-1), 6:00 PM CST, ESPN+, -12 Bulls

SE Louisiana became victory number one for Southern Miss in Week 2, with quarterback Tate Rodemaker throwing two touchdown passes and Keyon Clay rumbling for 75 yards on just four carries. The Bulls didn’t have a good week two, getting crushed by Alabama 42-16 and allowing 28 points in the 4th quarter. To be fair, South Florida flummoxed the Crimson Tide for a good three quarters before falling apart, but anybody watching a game played in Hattiesburg is going to see a rock fight. I expect a battle.

THE PICK: Don’t be surprised if Southern Miss finds a way to win this one

Image: mine with help from Sun Belt Media