2024 Sun Belt Season Preview: Sun Belt Conference Predictions and Betting Picks
The Sun Belt is ready for a big year in 2024, but no team is a clear favorite to run away with the title. Can Texas State find a way to get it done? Matt McCuen is back with another preview, this time for the Sun Belt Conference.
Matt McCuen - August 29, 2024, 6:00 PM EDT
8 min2024 Sun Belt Season Preview: Sun Belt Conference Predictions and Betting Picks
In this article, we will break down the Sun Belt Conference.
The Sun Belt is wide open to win, making it one of the most exciting conferences in College Football.
Let's meet the teams!
2024 Sun Belt Conference Season Predictions
1. Appalachian State Mountaineers
- 2023 Record: 9-5
- Key Additions: Myles Farmer (S), Luke Burgess (OT), Avarion Cole (S)
- Key Losses: Nate Noel (RB). Donovan Spellman (EDGE), Jason Chambers (CB),
- Sun Belt Title Odds: +300
App State will look to build on a strong 2023 campaign.
The Mountaineers enter the year as the betting favorite in the Sun Belt.
Joey Aguliar will be back under center for the Mountaineers.
Running back Kayne Roberts takes over the App State backfield.
Pick: App State Over 8 -140 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
I love the makeup of this Mountaineers roster.
Aguliar is one of the best players in the Conference and will lead this App State offense to be one of the best in the Sun Belt.
The App State defense will be much improved this season, making them the top threat in the Conference.
2. Texas State Bobcats
- 2023 Record: 8-5
- Key Additions: Daniel Meunier (S), Mannie Nunnery (LB), David Conner (OT), Jordan McCloud (QB), James Neal (LB)
- Key Losses: Charles Brown (WR), Dan Foster (LB)
- Sun Belt Title Odds: +400
GJ Kinne begins year two at the helm for the Bobcats.
Texas State was one of college football's biggest surprises a year ago and now is the favorite to win the Sun Belt West.
Jordan McCloud takes over this Texas State offense.
McCloud was one of the best quarterbacks in the portal.
Pick: Texas State To Win the Sun Belt +400 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
The Bobcats will have the best offense in the Sun Belt.
The addition of McCloud makes the Bobcats an elite-level offense.
As long as the Bobcat's defense can be average, this team will have a great chance of winning the conference.
3. Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
- 2023 Record: 6-7
- Key Additions: Zay Alexander (OT), Fitzgerald West (DL), Ashley Williams (DL), Adryan Lara (QB),
- Key Losses: Ke'Andre Grant (LB), Zeon Chriss (QB), Nathan Thomas (OL)
- Sun Belt Title Odds: +500
The Ragin Cajuns will look to bounce back from a disappointing 2023 season.
While they reached a bowl game, expectations are higher for this program, which has been one of the best in the Sun Belt.
Quarterback Ben Woolridge is the favorite to be under center in week one.
Louisiana struggled on defense last season, allowing 28.6 points per game.
Pick: Louisiana Over 7.5 Wins -130 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
The Ragin' Cajuns should be one of the best offensive teams in the Conference.
Louisiana should be much better on defense this year under coordinator Jim Salgado.
At this number, we will ride with the over.
4. James Madison Dukes
- 2023 Record: 11-2
- Key Additions: Ayo Adeyi (RB), Jacob Doobs (LB), George Petteway (RB)
- Key Losses: Jordan McCloud (QB ), Tyrique Tucker (DT), D'Angelo Ponds (RB),
- Sun Belt Title Odds: +750
The Dukes will have to adjust to life without head coach Curt Cignetti.
First-year head coach Bob Chesney takes over a talented bunch.
Quarterback Jordan McCloud hit the transfer portal, leaving big shoes to fill.
The Dukes' defense was one of the best in college football last year, allowing 19.5 points per game.
Pick: James Madison Under 8 wins -110 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
The Dukes will struggle this season in the Sun Belt.
The loss of McCloud and Cigentti is significant.
Additionally, the Dukes have a lot of turnover on defense and will take a step backward.
5. South Alabama Jaguars
- 2023 Record: 7-6
- Key Additions: Jayden Hobson (OT), Malachi Preciado (IOL), Andrew Bench (TE), Ladarius Webb (S)
- Key Losses: Caullin Lacy (WR), Yam Banks (S), Khalil Jacobs (LB)
- Sun Belt Title Odds: +850
The Jaguars will attempt to build on a solid campaign that included a bowl game appearance.
Head coach Major Applewhite begins year one at the helm for the Jaguars.
Gio Lopez will take over the South Alabama offensive unit.
South Alabama returns three starters on defense, leaving some question marks on defense.
Pick: South Alabama Over 6.5 wins -150 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
The Jaguars will fly over this number.
There is a lot of value on the Jaguars to win the conference as well.
Lopez will be one of the best quarterbacks in the conference, and this defense could look better than last year's when new starters are stepping in.
6. Troy Trojans
- 2023 Record: 11-3
- Key Additions: Asa Martin (RB), Jarrett Doege (QB), Reggie Bracy (CB)
- Key Losses: Tez Johnson (WR),
- Sun Belt Title Odds: +1400
After winning the Sun Belt West a year ago, the Trojans come into the season and are expected to finish in the middle of the pack.
First-year coach Gerard Parker will lead the Trojans.
Parker was the offensive coordinator of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish last year.
Signal caller Goose Crowder will take over the Trojan offense.
Troy was great on defense Last year, allowing opponents 17.1 points per game.
Pick: Troy Team Total Under 6.5 wins -110 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
Troy was outstanding a year ago, but this roster has taken a significant step back.
The main concern for Troy will be their offensive unit led by a new signal caller.
I do not see a way that the Trojans reach seven wins with their schedule this year.
7. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
- 2023 Record: 8-5
- Key Additions: Payton Bunch (S), Blake Boda (QB), Cristian Conyer (CB), Malick Meigna (WR)
- Key Losses: Grayson McCall (QB), Will McDonald (IOL),
- Sun Belt Title Odds: +1400
The Chants will look to build on a strong 8-5 record.
Tim Beck begins year two leading the Chants.
Ethan Vasko takes over the Chants offensive unit.
The Chants' defense held opponents to 23.8 points per game.
Pick: Coastal Carolina Over 6 wins -120 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
Coastal enters the conference season as one of the more underrated teams.
The Chants will once again rank toward the top of the league defensively.
On offense, Vasko proved he could lead this team to be one of the best in the Sun Belt.
8. Arkansas State Red Wolves
- 2023 Record: 6-7
- Key Additions: Timmy McLain (QB), Malik Hornsby (WR), Jordan Mahoney (CB),
- Key Losses: Javante Mackey (LB), Gavin Potter (LB), Keyron Crawford (EDGE)
- Sun Belt Title Odds: +1500
Butch Jones will attempt to continue pointing this program in the right direction.
The Red Wolves reached six wins a year ago, a major win for this program.
Now, Arkansas State plans to take things to the next level and compete for a Sun Belt Championship.
Quarterback Jaylen Raynor will be back under center for the Red Wolves this year.
Arkansas State allowed 30.4 points per game a year ago.
9. Marshall Thundering Herd
- 2023 Record: 6-7
- Key Additions: Monroe Beard III (LB), Deeve Harris (LB),
- Key Losses: Rasheen Ali (RB), Stephen Dix Jr (LB), D’Yoni Hill (CB),
- Sun Belt Title Odds: +1600
2023 was a disappointing year for Marshall.
When they reached a bowl game, this program knew they should be competing for a conference championship.
The Herd returns just three starters on the defensive side of the football.
Offense was an issue a year ago for Marshall and the team has still not announced a starting quarterback for this season.
Pick: Marshall Under 6 wins -110 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
The Herd will have trouble adjusting on defense, given the ton of turnover on this roster.
There remain many question marks surrounding this offensive unit as there is no true leader at quarterback.
I don't see Marshall getting seven wins or more this season.
10. Georgia Southern Panthers
- 2023 Record: 6-7
- Key Additions: Ethan Pouncey (CB), Isaiah Norris (CB), Chance Gamble (S)
- Key Losses: Tarian Lee JR (LB), Michael Lantz (K), Mark Langston (LB), Davis Brin (QB), Khaleb Hood (WR)
- Sun Belt Title Odds: +2200
Clay Helton begins year three at the helm for the Panthers.
Georgia Southern found their way to a bowl game a season ago.
Offense was the strength of the Panthers last year as they averaged 30.2 points per game.
The Panthers' defense will have to be much better this season after allowing 30.2 points per game in 2023.
Pick: Georgia Southern Over 5.5 wins -110 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
While there will be a change at quarterback, the Panthers will bring back a lot of key offensive pieces.
Most notably, running back Jalen White returns after a monster 2023 campaign.
While the Panthers' defense will not be great, their offense is good enough to earn six wins.
11. Old Dominion Monarchs
- 2023 Record: 6-7
- Key Additions: Pat Conroy (TE), Ricardo Williams (DL), Aaron Young (RB)
- Key Losses: Jalen Satchell (DL), Ahmarian Granger (WR), Christopher Adams (OL)
- Sun Belt Title Odds: +2800
Head coach Ricky Rahne will look for a strong 2024 season.
Grant Wilson will be back under center for the Monarchs.
Wilson threw for 2,149 yards a season ago.
Old Dominion surrendered 25.6 points per game a season ago.
Pick: Old Dominion Over 4.5 wins +115 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
At plus money, this is a strong play.
Wilson remains one of the more underrated quarterbacks in the Sun Belt.
The Monarchs added some solid pieces in the portal that will help improve their defense this season.
12. Southern Miss Golden Eagles
- 2023 Record: 3-9
- Key Additions: Dante Kelly (LB), Joe Cryer (IOL), Caleb Bryant (DL), Tate Rodemaker (QB)
- Key Losses: Gerquan Scott (IOL), Bryce Ramsey (IOL), Frank Gore Jr (RB)
- Sun Belt Title Odds: +4000
Head coach Will Hall will attempt to rally his team in 2024.
The Golden Eagles will return two starters on offense.
Florida State transfer Tate Rodemaker is set to take over the Golden Eagles offense.
Defense was a major issue for the Golden Eagles, which allowed 35.8 points per game in 2023.
Pick: Southern Miss Under 4 wins -110 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
I do not see a path to five wins for the Golden Eagles this season.
While Rodemaker has potential, his supporting cast is below average.
Southern Miss will once again have one of the worst defensive units in college football.
13. Georgia State Panthers
- 2023 Record: 7-6
- Key Additions: Romello Watson (IOL), Sam McCall (S), Bishop Thomas (DL), Zach Gibson (QB)
- Key Losses: Domonique Thomas (RB), Javon Dennis (EDGE), Darren Grainge (QB), Marcus Carroll (RB), Robert Lewis (WR)
- Sun Belt Title Odds: +5000
Dell McGee begins year one as the head coach of the Panthers.
The Panthers reached a bowl game a season ago and will look to repeat similar results.
Quarterback Zach Gibson is the favorite to take over the offense.
Georgia State struggled on defense a year ago, allowing 30.1 points per game.
Pick: Georgia State Under 4 wins -110 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
The Panthers will have problems this season.
This team will have to replace its starting quarterback and backfield, which were the team's backbones.
The Panthers will continue being one of the worst defensive teams in the Sun Belt.
14. ULM War Hawks
- 2023 Record: 2-10
- Key Additions: Reese Mooney (QB), General Booty (QB)
- Key Losses: Adin Huntington (DL), Derek McCormick (K), Lu Tillery (CB)
- Sun Belt Title Odds: +40000
2023 was a disaster for the War Hawks.
ULM won just two games and went 0-8 in the Sun Belt.
They enter the season expected to finish last in the conference once again.
ULM returns just one starter on offense.
The RedHawks allowed 38.8 points per game a year ago.
Pick: ULM Over 1.5 wins -170 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
While they will likely be the worst team in the Sun Belt, the Red Hawks will get two wins.
ULM will get some opportunities out of the conference to be competitive.
With many players coming in from the portal, there is potential to be better than last year.
College Football Odds
