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

Just when I had left the Sun Belt for dead, the SBC lit up the majority of its OOC opponents in Week 5 – with the notable exception of Texas State, who has displayed an alarming failure to close out games in back-to-back contests. At home to Arizona State, the Bobcats committed a pair of turnovers late in the game to seal the loss. At a neutral site, the Bobcats jumped out to a TWENTY-TWO TO ZERO LEAD against the Bearkats only to fall 40-39. The loss likely ends Texas State’s run to the college football playoff bracket, but it does free the university’s administration to focus 100% on bailing to the Mountain West.

Apart from Boobcat Boobing™, the Sun Belt acquit itself well, with the Cajuns notching a P4 win over Wake Forest, and Marshall, JMU and Old Dominion reminding the MAC who’s boss. Even South Alabama didn’t look too terrible against LSU! With the OOC season winding down, it wasn’t a bad finish for the Belt.

SUN BELT ON BYE: Georgia State, Georgia Southern

Thursday, October 3

Texas State Bobcats (2-2) @ Troy Trojans (1-4), 6:00 PM CST, ESPNU, -14.5 Bobcats

Even before Troy quarterback Goose Crowder went down with a first quarter shoulder injury, the Trojans looked pretty helpless on offense against ULM – with the exception of running back Gerald Green, who ran over Warhawks for 100 yards. Too bad Troy doesn’t have a roster full of Greens. The Bobcats, on the other hand, have all the talent required to win the SBC West but thus far, none of the kill instinct. Still, any team that only scores nine points to the Warhawks at home shouldn’t be seen as a formidable threat. On a business note, let’s hope this Thursday Night game proves more entertaining than the last one.

THE PICK: Bobcats, but man, you might be sweating it when the fourth quarter hits

Saturday, October 5

THE O’DOUL’S “MAINTAIN YOUR EDGE” SUN BELT GAME OF THE WEEK: Appalachian State Mountaineers (2-2) @ Marshall Thundering Herd (2-2), 2:30 PM CST, ESPN+, -2 Herd

Boone was absolutely thunder clapped by Hurricane Helene, forcing the Mountaineers to cancel a consequential game with Liberty and possibly affecting more games moving forward. If so inclined, you can make a donation to the university’s recovery here. In the meantime, the Herd collected a reaffirming victory over Western Michigan on Saturday behind three TD passes from Stone Earl. It’s hard to read Marshall at the moment, and it’s even more difficult to read the tea leaves regarding this game. Are the Mountaineers in the proper mental state to play football? Does Marshall have enough offense and defense to make waves in the SBC East? Like Vegas, I just don’t know.

THE PICK: I don’t know. It’s fun to pick Appalachian State to make the inspirational statement win tho.

Old Dominion Monarchs (1-3) @ Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (3-1), 6:00 PM CST, ESPN+, -4.5 Chants

Last time we saw the Chanticleers, they were getting soundly defeated in Conway by Virginia. Does that mean Coastal’s 3-0 start was a mirage? Eh. Ethan Vasko is a solid quarterback and Sam Pinckney is still a damn good wide receiver. But Old Dominion may have the hardest hitting defense Coastal has seen all season, with the conferences three of the four leading tacklers – Koa Naotal, Jahr Manning and Mario Thompson – all bone crushing Monarchs. Old Dominion finally got its first win this season, but perhaps at the expense to starting QB Grant Wilson, who went down in the third quarter against Bowling Green and was replaced by freshman Jospeh Colton – who was 6/13 for just 26 yards.

THE PICK: Monarchs may not have enough offense, no matter how many tackles Henderson collects

South Alabama Jaguars (2-3) @ Arkansas State Red Wolves (2-2), 6:00 PM CST, ESPN+, -2.5 Jags

Arkansas State took a week-long sabbatical after playing two consecutive road games against Top 25 teams (both losses). A well rested Red Wolves get a Jaguars team that has enjoyed quite the three-week adventure, first dumping 87 points on poor Northwestern State, then trashing Appalachian State in Boone on national TV before finally receiving a dispassionate 42-10 beating to LSU – which may have taken out South Alabama’s lead receiver Jamaal Pritchett (possible concussion). The Sun Belt West is wide open for business, and the winner of this game provides a good clue as to who’s a real contender to take the division.

THE PICK: A rested and healthy Red Wolves team overwhelms the Jags in Jonesboro

James Madison Dukes (4-0) @ ULM Warhawks (3-1), 6:00 PM CST, ESPNU, -17 Dukes

The Warhawks under head coach Bryant Vincent have become a league of dangerous men, stymying SBC defending champion Troy last Saturday in a stunning 13-9 road win. True, Troy is clearly diminished, having lost too much talent upon Jon Sumrall’s departure. But that’s not to take anything away from ULM, a team that ranks a very respectable 49th nationally in total defense. As for Troy, these guys can certainly score points behind Alonza Barnett, who is clearly feeling it. I pick picking ULM’s opponents. Eventually, I’ll stop making that mistake.

THE PICK: James Madison has an offense, therefore James Madison is your likely winner

Louisiana Ragin Cajuns (3-1) @ Southern Miss Golden Eagles (1-3), 6:00 PM CST, ESPN+, -14.5 Cajuns

After allowing Jon Sumrall’s Green Wave to pummel them in Lafayette, the Cajuns rebounded nicely with a road win against Wake Forest. Ben Wooldridge, the 100 year old Louisiana quarterback, delivered a trio of touchdown passes for the Cajuns, while safety Tyree Skipper collected a timely pick. Are the Cajuns the class of the Sun Belt West? With Texas State struggling to close out games and Arkansas State sputtering on offense, the division seems to be leaning towards Lafayette or Mobile. As for Southern Miss, I got nothing for you, bruthas.

THE PICK: Cajuns should have much trouble