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

With fewer than a handful of games left on the docket, the priorities are set for Sun Belt warriors. Several teams are still battling for a divisional titles. Others have bowl eligibility in their grasps. Some are just looking to salvage dignity.

However, there are also teams with more complex concerns to address. Can Texas State and ULM get it together in time for a divisional push? Can Appalachian State rebound for a bowl bid? Same can be asked of South Alabama and Coastal Carolina. What about Troy and Georgia State? Can the Trojans and Panthers end the season strong?

SUN BELT ON BYE: Georgia Southern, Old Dominion, Troy, South Alabama

Thursday, November 7

Appalachian State Mountaineers (4-4) @ Coastal Carolina (4-5), 7:00 PM CST, ESPN, -1 Chants

Just a couple weeks ago, we had more-or-less put a toe tag on the hurricane ravaged Mountaineers, who weren’t living up to expectations even before Helene delivered its tragic blow to Boone. However, two scrappy victories, fueled by seven Joey Aguilar touchdown passes, have given Appalachian State renewed life. A bowl game is still in play, but standing in the way is Coastal Carolina, a team that started with a strong 3-0 start and has only won a single game since. The Chant’s latest lost – to previously one-win Troy – might have been the Bane that broke Tim Beck’s back.

THE PICK: Mountaineers are rising; Coastal is in free fall

Saturday, November 9

Texas State Bobcats (4-4) @ ULM Warhawks (5-3), 11:00 AM CST, ESPNU, -7 Cats

Has the Sun Belt figured out Bryant Vincent and the Warhawks? After racing to five wins and terrorizing the Sun Belt West, ULM has dropped two contests and still haven’t found a catalyst to jumpstart scoring. Meanwhile, the Bobcats (who has also lost its last two games) are treading in disappointment, down two games in the loss column behind Louisiana and without any shot of making the College Football Playoffs – a dream goal that seemed attainable just two months ago. We thought GJ Kinne and Friends might experience a sophomore slump, but this team has too much talent not to make some kind of November push.

THE PICK: Vegas keeps doubting the Warhawks in Monroe, and they’re gonna pay for that

Marshall Thundering Herd (5-3) @ Southern Miss Golden Eagles (1-7), 2:00 PM CST, ESPN+, -13.5 Herd

Marshall is less like a herd of buffalo and more like a sneaky shark swimming silently beneath the surface, quietly gobbling beachgoers with barely a head nod from the sleepy lifeguard. Driven by a fine offensive line and the talent of running back AJ Turner, Marshall is floating just beneath Georgia Southern in the Sun Belt East, ready to strike. There’s no tastier a meal than the Golden Eagles, losers of six straight and the first program of the season to fire its head coach. With Georgia Southern on bye, look for Charlie Huff and the Herd to tie-up the Eagles in the East by end of day.

THE PICK: Herd tramples the Golden Eagles without mercy

Georgia State Panthers (2-6) @ James Madison Dukes (6-2), 2:30 PM CST, ESPN+, -17 Dukes

Panthers are the best 0-4 Sun Belt team in the universe. True, Georgia State is missing critical defensive pieces to generate a winning record, but the Atlanta Boys are competing for new head coach Dell McGee. Zach Gibson isn’t a flashy QB, but he’s proven himself a man capable of getting the ball to talented WR Ted Hurst. Is that enough combo to overcome the Dukes in Harrisonburg? Probably not. True, JMU is a surprise 2-2 in conference in Bob Chesney’s first year as head coach. But with upcoming games against ODU, Marshall and Appalachian State, the Dukes still have a narrow lane to seizing the SBC East.

THE PICK: It won’t be easy for the Dukes because the Panthers don’t make things easy

Arkansas State Red Wolves (5-3) @ Louisiana Ragin Cajuns (7-1), 4:00 PM CST, ESPN+, -16.5 Cajuns

Old Man Ben Wooldrige has been The Man in Lafayette, turning in 2,037 yards and 16 TD passes against just four picks this season. As good as the Cajuns have been on offense, its defense has been without equal – the best in the Sun Belt. Do the Red Wolves have a prayer against such a well balanced team on the road? Arkansas State wide receiver Corey Rucker is the conference’s second leading pass catcher and is capable of taking over games. That said, the Cajuns are not just in the hunt for an SBC title, but also for a place in the CFB Playoffs. That’s a ton of motivation for Michael Desormeaux to dial the pain up to 11.

THE PICK: Difficult to ignore the Cajuns at home with so much at stake

IMAGE: Sun Belt Media with some edits from me