Following a close lose to Tulane, Southern Miss head coach Blake Anderson was asked what he and his team could do to avoid slow starts. “Quit playing Auburn, UConn and Tulane,” said the team’s first year captain. Fans (and the media) didn’t react kindly. “I didn’t like the way I answered the question,” said Coach Anderson on Monday. “I was pissed off when we came off the field that we let it get away, and i just didn’t respond in the right way.”
It’s not as if Coach Anderson didn’t make an honest and salient point. Intentionally scheduled or not, many teams – in and out of the Sun Belt – have had an easier four games than Southern Miss. I should think most coaches would want to enter their conference slate with a nice set of victories, even if the Ws come at the expense of a Wagner or West Georgia. Coach Anderson’s mistake was publicly wandering off script. Fanbases demand to take on all comers, the bigger the better. Everyone wants Alabama.
That being said, the Sun Belt finished Week 4 a dispiriting 0-15 against “Power” competition. Not long ago, it was commonplace for the SBC to knock-off a few privileged opponents. Today, our best OOC win is…up for debate. We can’t dwell on this, however. Rub some dirt on it and shake it off. We got a new week of Sun Belt.
Saturday, October 3
Old Dominion Monarchs (1-3) @ Georgia State Panthers (3-1), 2:30 PM, ESPN+, -1.5 Panthers
Not only did you not predict that ODU would be 1-3 for this game, you had no idea that the Panthers would have three wins on the season and would be picked to defeat the Monarchs. But see, that’s classic Sun Belt Entropy for you. So much has come together for Dell McGee and Georgia State, from the presence of a well-practiced QB in Cameran Brown to a hard-hitting defense that keeps the score manageable. Meanwhile, nothing seems to have gone well for Rickey Rahne after a 10-win season. Quinn Henicle is hurt, the run game is no good, and the defense is surrendering a sad 30 points per game. Can the Monarchs shake off a loss to James Madison to meet a Panther’s team that’s feel’n it?
OUTCOME: Choo-choo! McGee come’n thru!
Marshall Thundering Herd (3-1) @ James Madison Dukes (4-0), 2:45 PM, ESPNU, -18.5 Dukes
One reason why that Vegas line may seem so high is how shaky the Herd’s 3-1 record feels, especially after escaping Gardner-Webb by a single point. Many expected Marshall’s defense to have issues. But the offense hasn’t exactly lit up the scoreboard, now averaging 23 ho-hum points. James Madison, fresh off revelations that it has courted a move to The American, took out their aggression on ODU and a trio of opponents that aren’t especially a murderers row. However, there’s no doubting JMU’s defense – it’s the 11th stingiest in the nation. If Marshall has been holding back offensively, Saturday would be the time to unleash the left hand.
OUTCOME: The Dukes continue to stroll and roll
Georgia Southern Eagles (1-3) @ Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (1-3), 6:00 PM, ESPN+, -2.5 Eagles
Once the bullies of the Sun Belt East, the Chants and Eagles are currently struggling to rediscover their own identities. After the Eagles started the season with a 31-0 win over an FCS opponent, head coach Clay Helton has seen his team drop three straight, the latest a pounding from #25 Houston. The Chanticleers have seen some nice QB play from freshman Deuce Bailey, but the team hasn’t cracked twenty points since Week 1. That said, the Chants are in Year One of new head coach Ryan Beard, but the Eagles should be further along after five seasons under Clay. Have the Eagles hit the ceiling?
OUTCOME: Coastal takes advantage of playing on the teal field
ULM Warhawks (0-4) @ South Alabama Jaguars (2-2), 6:00 PM, ESPN+, -14 Jaguars
Things are not going well for Bryant Vincent and the Warhawks, now winless on the season and surrendering the most points in all of FBS football. Somebody make a tackle! On the opposing end of the spectrum, South Alabama has looked surprisingly solid in wins over Southeast Louisiana and Ohio while putting up a good game against Kentucky and Tulane. However, that Jags defense is nearly as mushy as the Warhawks’. The difference? The Jags can score. South Alabama ranks as the fourth most prolific offense for yards, utilizing a ground game led by PJ Martin. The Warhawks don’t have a PJ Martin.
OUTCOME: The Jags take a big bite out of what’s left of the Warhawks
Army Black Nights (2-1) @ Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (1-2), 6:30 PM, ESPN+, -2.5 Black Knights
LaTech is already making things weird. After enjoying the conference’s first bye in Week 4, the Bulldogs are the only SBC team entertaining out of conference guests this week, welcoming Army to Rustin. Last time we saw Louisiana Tech, they were getting pounded by Baylor. However, Coach Sonny Cumbie predicts we’ll see quarterback Blake Baker back behind center to take on the nation’s #1 run offense – a whopping 355 rushing yards per game! Who’s running the ball for the Black Nights? A tank? Lucky for the fans in Rustin, Louisiana Tech ain’t too bad against the run. Maybe they stop Cale Hellums from finding the end zone?
OUTCOME: A well rested LaTech looks a little rusty in Rustin
Arkansas State Red Wolves (2-2) @ Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (3-1), 7:00 PM, ESPN+, -6.5 Cajuns
Are the Cajuns back? After bumbling through a turbulent season in 2025, coach Mike Desormeaux has fixed all the squeaks in the house. Lunch Winfield leads the Cajuns in throwing and running, and only James Madison is fielding a better defense in the Belt. Arkansas State had their revenge against Kennesaw State on Saturday. Cajuns are also on the vengeance list. The A-State offense has yet to deliver a complete game, and something glitched with normally reliable kicker Clune Van Andel against the Owls. A-State can’t afford glitches in Lafayette.
OUTCOME: Cajuns have all the cards
Taking the Week Off
Appalachian State, Southern Miss and Troy are taking a breather.
IMAGE: Sun Belt Media