The ULM Warhawks and the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs hadn’t played one another since 2000 when the two knocked helmets Saturday night. After one half of football, the score was knotted up at zero to zero. The Bulldogs would go on to win 24-0, sealing the Pelican State Sweep.
In the East, Appalachian State snapped a four game losing streak to Coastal Carolina and Georgia Southern stamped out a three game losing streak to ODU. Nothing lasts forever, except maybe waiting for that new Game of Thrones novel. Personally, I support George R. R. Martin leaving us all hanging. It’s definitely something a villainous member of the Bolton House might do. It’s a meta-flex.
Tuesday, October 20
South Alabama Jaguars (4-2) @ Marshall Thundering Herd (3-3), 6:30 PM, ESPN2, -3 Jaguars
The first cross-divisional Sun Belt game of the season finds two teams coming off a vacation. The Jaguars put up 108 points on the Warhawks and Red Wolves and needed a siesta. The Herd also took a break – after getting punked by Coastal and JMU. Quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson finished with more interceptions (3) than completions (2) against Coastal, which may have opened the door for back-up QB Zion Turner, who subbed in and threw for 219 yards and two touchdowns. Tony Gibson’s men will need plenty of scores to hold off South Alabama, who’s most likely to oblige having given up 84 points their last two contests.
OUTCOME: Jaguars simply cannot stop scoring touchdowns
Thursday, October 22
James Madison Dukes (7-0) @ Appalachian State Mountaineers (4-2), 6:00 PM, ESPNU, -10.5 Dukes
The Mountaineers play their second mid-week game in a row after taking out Coastal Carolina on Friday. Now human touchdown Jaquari Lewis (four scores against the Chants) sharpens his skills against a Dukes defense that held Georgia State to about half their average offensive output on Saturday. JMU isn’t shabby with the offense either, making the most out of a JC Evans/Camden Coleman QB tandem and about seven yards per carry from RB George Pettaway.
OUTCOME: Just enjoy the duel between Lewis and Pettaway
Saturday, October 24
ULM Warhawks (0-6) @ Troy Trojans (3-3), 3:00 PM, ESPN+, -14.5 Trojans
Among the better ways to recover from a blistering loss to the Cajuns is to host the Warhawks at your home digs. ULM scored 35 in a loss to South Alabama, then put up a goose egg to its hated rival Louisiana Tech the very next week. Meanwhile, Troy emerged from Lafayette agonizing over the sudden loss of confidence and the possible loss of their starting QB Goose Crowder, who left the game in the third quarter. Troy will likely put up more than 12 first-downs on the Warhawks, but ULM usually has at least one surprise every season.
OUTCOME: There will be no ULM surprises in Troy
Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (5-2) @ Southern Miss Golden Eagles (1-5), 4:00 PM, ESPN+, -10.5 Cajuns
The Eagles of Gold largely upended themselves on Saturday, allowing the Red Wolves to capitalize on turnovers and costly penalties. Perhaps Blake Anderson’s platoon grinds off the rough spots in time for the Cajuns, who just rebounded from a tough loss to Louisiana Tech by thunder-thumping the defending SBC West champs. Louisiana quarterback Lunch Winfield only threw for 3 yards per pass in the win, but that Cajuns run game pounded Troy 243 yards and three touchdowns. Southern Miss isn’t much better against the rush, but they held the Red Wolves to less than three yards per run.
OUTCOME: Golden Eagles may offer a bit of a challenge this weekend
Old Dominion Monarchs (2-5) @ Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (4-2), 4:00 PM, ESPN+, -12.5 Bulldgos
Quietly and effectively, the Bulldogs have made a case for contender in the SBC West, drilling ULM and upsetting Louisiana to go 2-0 in division. Now Sonny Cumbie and Pals host the struggling Monarchs, a team that may be without starting QB Quinn Henicle and already buried deep in a 1-3 start to conference play. The combination of anemic offense and porous defense has ruined Rickey Rahne’s bid for another 10-win season. It get no easier in Rustin, where Louisiana Tech brings a strikingly well-balanced offense to the gridiron.
OUTCOME: Bulldogs continue to munch the bones of its enemies
Georgia State Panthers (4-2) @ Arkansas State Red Wolves (3-4), 6:00 PM, ESPN+, -2.5 Bulldogs
Historically, the Red Wolves have counted the Panthers as an insta-win, coming out on top seven out of nine tries. However, Dell McGee has his Panthers clawing in 2026, tearing through the schedule before receiving a humbling from James Madison on Saturday. The Dukes made Cameran Brown looks less than ordinary, throwing for just 138 yards, one touchdown and a pick. Meanwhile, the Red Wolves are coming off a gritty road win over Southern Miss, riding a defense that forced two picks from the Golden Eagles and doubling Southern Miss on time of possession. It’s Homecoming in Jonesboro. That’s gotta count for something.
OUTCOME: Panthers run game is built to beat the Red Wolves
Taking Some Time Off
Georgia Southern and Coastal Carolina
IMAGE: Sun Belt Media