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

Sun Belt fans demanded clarity in Week 7, and Sun Belt fans received clarity, with ULM, Louisiana and Texas State delivering bold claims to the SBC West while Georgia Southern and James Madison reasserted themselves as the SBC East gatekeepers. Meanwhile, Arkansas State and Marshall were on the receiving end of the cold water bucket, while the dismay deepened further for Appalachian State and Southern Miss.

This week, the Sun Belt takes over the mid-week schedule with a rivalry game on Tuesday and an SBC East throw-down on Thursday. Who do we think we are? The MAC?

SUN BELT ON BYE: ULM, Appalachian State

Tuesday, October 15

Troy Trojans (1-5) @ South Alabama Jaguars (2-4), 6:30 PM CST, ESPN2, -12.5 Jags

The misery must be thick in Troy, with the Trojans experiencing a season normally reserved for the faithful in Monroe. The situation is only marginally better in Mobile, where the Jaguars either foist tremendous amounts of points on their hapless opponents, or get stymied as they did in their last game against Arkansas State. None of that matters Tuesday. Only your belt size matters! The Battle of the Belt may not be college football’s most storied rivalry, but the heat is significant. While both teams will have their rage dialed to one thousand and eleven, count on too much Gio Lopez and Fluff Bothwell for the Trojans to stop.

THE PICK: Jaguars go full-Achilles on Troy

Thursday, October 17

Georgia State Panthers (2-3) @ Marshall Thundering Herd (3-3), 6:00 PM CST, ESPN2, -9.5 Herd

The Panthers, Conquerors of the Commodores, are playing better than decent football under Dell McGee, who suddenly finds himself in a QB brouhaha. Who to start? Charles Veilleux, who orchestrated that win over Vanderbilt, or newcomer Zach Gibson, who provided an offensive spark in the loss against ODU? We suspect Veilleux gets an opportunity to reset against the Herd, who is also tossing quarterback lots between Stone Earle and Braylon Braxton. Week 8 is a little late in the year to see two opposing programs undergoing quarterback battles, but this is the Sun Belt, Ace. We’re governed by entropy.

THE PICK: Herd out thunders the Panthers

Saturday, October 19

Louisiana Ragin Cajuns (5-1) @ Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (4-2), 11:00 AM CST, ESPNU, -3.5 Cajuns

Life’s not easy when you’re a teal Chanticleer, having to first endure an enraged James Madison last week only to host a spicy Louisiana team this week. The Cajuns issued a solid beating to defending SBC East champ Appalachian State on Saturday thanks to a 100+ yard, 1 TD performance from tight end Terrance Carter. The Chants, however, are counting their bruises after a 39-7 thwacking from the Dukes. Coastal hasn’t always been a team to rise to the challenge after a kick to the music. Even on that dastardly teal turf, look for the Cajuns to roll behind quarterback Ben Wooldridge.

THE PICK: Too much seasoning for Coastal to handle

Texas State Bobcats (4-2) @ Old Dominion Monarchs (2-4), 2:30 PM CST, ESPN+, -10 Cats

The Bobcats are only getting a 10-point benefit of the doubt from Vegas, who likely understands what a long haul it is between San Marcos and Norfolk. Still, Jordan McCloud is coming of a SBC Offensive Player of the Week performance that obliterated Arkansas State last week, which should give even the tackle maestros at ODU some concern. However, it appears the Monarchs have found some offense with freshman QB Colton Joseph, who just produced ODU’s first conference win of the season over Georgia State. Is that upset we smell?

THE PICK: ODU might have a surprise for the Bobs

James Madison Dukes (5-1) @ Georgia Southern Eagles (4-2), 3:00 PM CST, ESPN+, -10 Dukes

The Dukes shook off the road loss to ULM with a home thumping over hated divisional rival Coastal on Saturday, with Alonza Barnett tossing 3 touchdowns on an efficient 199 yards passing. Meanwhile, the Eagles went about their conference victory the exceedingly difficult way, riding the hot hand of backup QB Dexter Williams II for three fourth quarter TDs to down Marshall. Never underestimate the toxicity levels in beautiful Eagle Creek! Whoever wins this game as a fairly clean path to the division.

THE PICK: JMU is good against everyone but ULM

Arkansas State Red Wolves (3-3) @ Southern Miss Golden Eagles (1-5), 6:00 PM CST, ESPN+, -6.5 Wolves

The Red Wolves have managed to find the end zone just twice in its last three games, which may be the reason why Arkansas State is a mere 6.5-point favorite over five-loss Southern Miss. However, nothing juices up an offense more than facing the Sun Belt second words defense! Never mind that Arkansas State is fielding the conferences third-worst defense, a prospect that may give some kind of spark to Golden Eagles’ quarterback Ethan Crawford, who only completed nine passes against the Warhawks last week.

THE PICK: A softee appears on the Red Wolves schedule in the nick of time