Game analysis, broadcast, kick-off times, and odds for every Sun Belt football game

The best part about Week One is nobody knows nothing, and everything is a maybe. We don’t know if Louisiana lost too much from “Sun Belt Success Attrition.” Maybe Georgia State’s run game is as good as it looks on paper. We haven’t any idea if Dowel Loggins is an instant fix at Appalachian State, or if Troy will seize the momentum it was building at the end of 2024. The mystery sustains us!

For the entire Sun Belt football season, Sun Belt Heat will be dissected on the FunBelt Podcast each week on the segment “Second and Short.”

Thursday, August 28

St. Francis Red Flash @ ULM Warhawks, 6PM, ESPN+, NO ODDS AVAILABLE

The first game of the Sun Belt season is less a body bag game for the Warhawks and more a body thrown into the swamp near the airport. The Red Flash is such a skilled opponent that it’s dropping out of FCS at the end of the season. Still, an unknown team with an unknown roster brings with it the fear of the unknown. Think of it as a nice training exercise for second year head coach Bryant Vincent and a confidence boost heading into the game against Alabama.

RESULT: Warhawks flush the Flash

Friday, August 29

Appalachian State Mountaineers, @ Charlotte 49ers, 6PM, ESPNU, Mountaineers -6.5

The zest is zesty between the Mountaineers and 49ers, which should make for a nice Friday evening game for ESPNU subscribers. Charlotte is picked to finish near the bottom of the American this season and is expected to name either North Carolina transfer Connor Harrell or Southern Miss transfer Zach Wilcke the starting QB. Meanwhile, there’s so much new in Boone right now with the exception of emerging WR star Dalton Stroman, the likely #1 target for Vanderbilt/LSU transfer QB AJ Swan.

RESULT: Mountaineers win it messy

Saturday, August 30

Mississippi State Bulldogs @ Southern Miss Golden Eagles , 11AM, ESPN, Golden Eagles +12

Contrary to local opinion, SEC teams can visit in-state G5 rivals. Despite being the visiting team and being picked to finish last in the SEC, the Bulldogs are a double digit favorite. I suspect most Vegas oddsmakers are looking at the Golden Eagles’ inglorious 1-11 record from last year. However, everything about Southern Miss is revamped for 2025, including a new head coach (Charles Huff) and a conference winning QB in Braylon Braxton.

RESULT: Eagles of Gold pull off the Sun Belt’s first upset of the season

Old Dominion Monarchs @ #20 Indiana Hoosiers, 1:30PM, FS1, +22.5 Monarchs

Head coach Rickey Rahne visits his old Sun Belt East foe Curt Cignetti in Week 1, and we get to watch two of their respective conference’s biggest personalities collide. Cignetti ledIndiana to a College Football Playoffs last year, to everybody’s surprise but Cignetti. That likely won’t impress Rahne and his talented returning QB Colton Joseph or hard-hitting linebacker Jason Henderson. The Monarchs specialize in weird, so don’t be surprised if the ending is more bizarre than the Vegas prediction.

RESULT: Rahne has just enough weirdness in his bag to keep the game close

Marshall Thundering Herd @ #5 Georgia Bulldogs, 2:30PM, ESPN, +39.5 Thundering Herd

Last year, Marshall went 10-3 and won the Sun Belt (and declined a bowl invite, thanks to Sun Belt Success Attrition). This season, under new head coach Tony Gibson, the Herd have replaced its staff and the majority of its roster. Starting the season with the fifth-ranked team in the land probably isn’t the best way to iron out the wrinkles in a new line-up and regime, but that’s what Gibson’s got.

RESULT: An “L” isn’t a loss if it’s a “Learn”

Coastal Carolina Chanticleers @ Virginia Cavaliers, 5PM, ACC Network, +12 Coastal

The Cavaliers are predicted to finish in the ACC basement but it’s difficult to assess the quality of the Chanticleers this season. Tim Beck will be working with a new quarterback (presumably Tad Hudson or MJ Morris) but still feature all-Sun Belt offensive talent in OL Nick Del Grande and WR Jameson Tucker. Including last year’s bowl loss, the Chants lost five of their last seven games last year. A win over an ACC foe would put a whole lot of people in a better mood.

RESULT: Chances are decent for a second Sun Belt upset

Weber State Wildcats @ James Madison Dukes, 5PM, ESPN +, -25.5 Dukes

Are the Wildcats any good? Dunno. Are the Dukes any good? A lot of people seem to think so, though much may hinge on the health of returning QB starter Alonza Barnett. Still, that Dukes run game will be stout with all-world offensive lineman Pat McMurtrie making holes, and the defense looks solid with defensive back Jacob Thomas deflecting passes. Balance has always been a Dukes trademark. I suspect James Madison will over-balance Weber State.

RESULT: Don’t be surprised if backup QB Matt Sluka gets the start for this game

Southeast Missouri State Red Hawks @ Arkansas State Red Wolves, 6PM, ESPN+, -10.5 Red Wolves

The Red Hawks were an FCS playoffs team last year, and are picked to finish third in conference this season. Historically under Butch Jones, the Red Wolves have been a bit shaky against FCS opponents (though they have yet to lose to one). Don’t look for many pages of the playbook being used in Jonesboro on Saturday. Instead, look for plenty of offensive line and defensive line rotations and the building of synergy between QB Jaylen Raynor and WR Corey Rucker.

RESULT: Solid but not spectacular victory for A-State

Morgan State Bears @ South Alabama Jaguars, 6PM, ESPN+, NO ODDS AVAILABLE

Losing a guy like Ethan Vasko at QB isn’t ideal, but head coach Major Applewhite likes who he has in Bishop Davenport, a multi-threat quarterback who is not without Jags’ experience. Having a weapon like Kentrel Bullock out of the RB position certainly helps. In recent seasons, inconsistency has been the South Alabama’s most dangerous opponent. Tuning up a the Bears, one of the better teams in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, may be just what the doctor prescribes.

RESULT: Jags win, but it’s not without challenge

Nicholls State Colonels @ Troy Trojans, 6PM, ESPN+, Trojans -20.5

The Colonels already bruised some egos in Week 0 by putting a defensive clinic on #4 FCS Incarnate Word. If coach Gerad Parker thought he and starting QB Goose Crowder was going to work on fundamentals on Saturday, another think may be taking the bus to Troy. However, you can’t make a diamond with some pressure, and maybe what this Trojans team needs is a fight and a fright to start the season right.

RESULT: The Sun Belt does not lose to the FCS

Georgia State Panthers @ #21 Ole Miss Rebel Bears, 6:45PM, SEC Network, +36 Panthers

Head coach Dell McGee and the Panthers are initiated in the art of taking down SEC competition – Georgia State handed Vanderbilt a loss last season. Ole Miss is a different animal, however, and the Panthers will need every inch of WR Ted Hurst and the newly revamped running back room to keep up with the Rebels scoring machine. It’s not fair to expect a win on the road from Georgia State, but Panthers fans are entitled to see competent football. I think they might get it.

RESULT: Score will be ugly, but we might see burst of brilliance from Georgia State

Rice Owls @ Louisiana Ragin Cajuns, 7PM, ESPN+, -11.5 Ragin Cajuns

The Cajuns will host the Owls in remodeled digs, and while head coach Mike Desormeaux may have lost a significant portion of SBC West winning talent over the offseason, he isn’t about to dampen this special occasion with an ill-prepared performance. AAC media picked Rice to finish 10th in the conference this season, so look for the Owls to be playing with some shoulder chip. Also look for hometown hero Walker Howard to make an impression behind center for Louisiana.

RESULT: Cajuns cruise after a jittery first half

Eastern Michigan Eagles @ Texas State Bobcats, 7PM, ESPN+, -14 Bobcats

As a Bobcats fan has likely told you (unsolicited), Texas State is leaving the Sun Belt for the Pretend 12, which makes this season a little weird for everyone. The Eagles, solid citizens of the MAC, have no patience for weird and are likely prepared for any brouhaha coach GJ Kinne is ready to manufacture. It is noteworthy that no Bobcats were placed on the conference first or second teams this preseason, which either means Texas State is undervalued, or that maybe Texas State is in for a rocky farewell season.

RESULT: Eagles with the upset in San Marcos

Georgia Southern Eagles @ Fresno State Bulldogs, 8:30PM, FSI, Eagles +1

This looks like a defining season for head coach Clay Helton and the Georgia Southern Eagles, with JC French returning at QB and a solid stable of all-Sun Belt talent on the defensive side of the ball. This Saturday is the first of two trips to California for the Eagles (they return later in the season to face Helton’s old employer, USC), and two trips to the West Coast is an awful lot of trips. Still, this is a veteran team who, as Eagles, know how to fly. It should be noted that Fresno State isn’t bad this year, and the Sun Belt hasn’t exactly shined on the West coast.

RESULT: Jet lag assists in a Fresno State victory

IMAGE: AI Monstrosity