Sports season
The 2023 Sun Belt Conference football season was the 23rd season of college football play for the Sun Belt Conference (SBC). The season began on August 31, 2023 and ended with its conference championship game on December 2, 2023. It was part of the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season . The conference consists of 14 member schools split into two divisions. The conference released its full season schedule on February 24, 2023.[1]
Previous season During the 2022 Sun Belt Conference football season, Coastal Carolina won the east division, while Troy won the west division. In the conference championship game , Troy defeated Coastal Carolina by a score of 45–26. Troy advanced to the Cure Bowl where they defeated UTSA . Coastal Carolina advanced to the Birmingham Bowl , where they lost to East Carolina .
Preseason Preseason Media Poll The SBC released its preseason poll on July 24. James Madison was named the favorite to win the East Division, while Troy was named the favorite to win the West Division.[2]
East Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place) 1 James Madison 78 (4) 2 Appalachian State 75 (4) 3 Coastal Carolina 71 (3) 4 Marshall 68 (2) 5 Georgia Southern 52 (1) 6 Georgia State 31 7 Old Dominion 17
West Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place) 1 Troy 92 (10) 2 South Alabama 85 (4) 3 Louisiana 64 4 Southern Miss 62 5 Texas State 36 6 Arkansas State 33 7 Louisiana–Monroe 20
Preseason All-Conference teams Offensive Player of the Year: Grayson McCall (Redshirt Senior, Coastal Carolina quarterback) Defensive Player of the Year: Jason Henderson , (Junior, Old Dominion linebacker) Position Player Team Second Team Offense QB Carter Bradley South Alabama RB Rasheen Ali Marshall RB Kimani Vidal Troy OL Damion Daley Appalachian State OL Will McDonald Coastal Carolina OL AJ Gillie Louisiana OL Ethan Driskell Marshall OL Daniel King Troy TE Jiay Mcafee Georgia Southern WR Tyrone Howell Louisiana–Monroe WR Caullin Lacy South Alabama WR Devin Voisin South Alabama Second Team Defense DL Javon Denis Georgia State DL Wy'Kevious Thomas South Alabama DL Jalen Williams Southern Miss DL Jordan Revels Texas State DL Javon Solomon Troy LB Jontrey Hunter Georgia State LB Jordan Veneziale Georgia State LB Taurus Jones James Madison DB Bryquice Brown Georgia State DB Keith Gallmon Jr. South Alabama DB Jaden Voisin South Alabama DB Dell Pettus Troy Second Team Special Teams K Diego Guajardo South Alabama P Ethan Duane Old Dominion RS Matthew McDoom Coastal Carolina AP Kimani Vidal Troy
Head Coaches On November 27, 2022, Texas State announced that it had fired head coach Jake Spavital . Spavital had posted a record of 13–35 over four years at the school.[3] Incarnate Word's head coach G. J. Kinne would take over as the new head coach for the 2023 season.[4] On December 4, 2022, Jamey Chadwell announced that he was leaving Coastal Carolina to take over the head coaching position at Liberty . Later on December 4, Coastal announced NC State offensive coordinator Tim Beck as the new head coach beginning in 2023.[5] Postseason changes On November 26, Louisiana–Monroe announced that it had fired head coach Terry Bowden after 3 seasons with the team.[6] UAB head coach Bryant Vincent would take over as the new head coach for 2024.[7] On November 30, James Madison head coach Curt Cignetti announced that he would leave the school to take the head coach position at Indiana for the 2024 season.[8] Damian Wroblewski was named the acting head coach for James Madison's bowl game. On December 7, the school announced that Bob Chesney would become the new head coach for 2024.[9] Holy Cross . On December 8, Troy head coach Jon Sumrall was announced as the new head coach of Tulane in the American Athletic Conference for the 2024 season.[10] Greg Gasparato was named the interim head coach. On December 18, Troy announced Gerad Parker as the new head coach for 2024.[11] Notre Dame . Rankings Pre Wk Wk Wk Wk Wk Wk Wk Wk Wk Wk Wk Wk Wk Wk Final Appalachian State AP C CFP Not released Arkansas State AP C CFP Not released Coastal Carolina AP RV C CFP Not released Georgia Southern AP C CFP Not released Georgia State AP C RV CFP Not released James Madison AP RV RV RV RV RV RV 25 23 21 18 24 24 24 RV C RV RV RV RV RV RV RV RV 25 24 21 21 RV 25 25 RV CFP Not released Louisiana AP C CFP Not released Louisiana–Monroe AP C CFP Not released Marshall AP C RV RV CFP Not released Old Dominion AP C CFP Not released South Alabama AP RV C RV CFP Not released Southern Miss AP C CFP Not released Texas State AP RV C CFP Not released Troy AP RV RV RV RV RV C RV RV RV RV RV RV RV RV CFP Not released
Schedule The 2023 schedule was released on February 24, 2023.[1]
Index to colors and formatting Sun Belt member won Sun Belt member lost Sun Belt teams in bold
Week 1 Date Time Visiting team Home team Site TV Result Attendance August 31 6:00 p.m. No. 21 (FCS ) Rhode Island Georgia State Center Parc Stadium • Atlanta, GA ESPN+ W 42–35 15,546 September 2 11:00 a.m. Arkansas State No. 20 Oklahoma Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium • Norman, OK ESPN L 0–73 83,221 September 2 2:30 p.m. No. 25 (FCS ) Gardner-Webb Appalachian State Kidd Brewer Stadium • Boone, NC ESPN+ W 45–24 36,075 September 2 5:00 p.m. The Citadel Georgia Southern Paulson Stadium • Statesboro, GA ESPN+ W 34–0 17,803 September 2 5:00 p.m. Bucknell James Madison Bridgeforth Stadium • Harrisonburg, VA ESPN+ W 38–3 23,756 September 2 5:00 p.m. Albany Marshall Joan C. Edwards Stadium • Huntington, WV ESPN+ W 21–17 25,101 September 2 6:00 p.m. Army Louisiana–Monroe Malone Stadium • Monroe, LA NFLN W 17–13 18,914 September 2 6:00 p.m. Alcorn State Southern Miss M. M. Roberts Stadium • Hattiesburg, MS ESPN+ W 40–14 30,335 September 2 6:00 p.m. Texas State Baylor McLane Stadium • Waco, TX ESPN+ W 42–31 44,945 September 2 6:00 p.m. Stephen F. Austin Troy Veterans Memorial Stadium • Troy, AL ESPN+ W 48–30 28,179 September 2 6:30 p.m. Northwestern State Louisiana Cajun Field • Lafayette, LA ESPN+ W 38–13 18,186 September 2 7:00 p.m. Old Dominion Virginia Tech Lane Stadium • Blacksburg, VA ACCN L 17–36 65,632 September 2 7:00 p.m. South Alabama No. 24 Tulane Yulman Stadium • New Orleans, LA ESPNU L 17–37 26,973 September 2 9:30 p.m. Coastal Carolina UCLA Rose Bowl • Pasadena, CA ESPN L 13–27 43,705 # Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time .
Week 2 Date Time Visiting team Home team Site TV Result Attendance September 9 11:00 a.m. James Madison Virginia Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA ESPNU W 36–35 56,508 September 9 11:00 a.m. Troy No. 15 Kansas State Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium • Manhattan, KS FS1 L 13–42 51,940 September 9 2:30 p.m. Texas State UTSA Alamodome • San Antonio, TX (I-35 Rivalry )ESPN+ L 13–20 49,342 September 9 3:00 p.m. Marshall East Carolina Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium • Greenville, NC (rivalry )ESPNU W 31–13 38,211 September 9 4:00 p.m. No. 16 (FCS ) Southeastern Louisiana South Alabama Hancock Whitney Stadium • Mobile, AL ESPN+ W 35–17 15,237 September 9 4:15 p.m. Appalachian State No. 17 North Carolina Kenan Memorial Stadium • Chapel Hill, NC ACCN L 34–40 2OT 50,500 September 9 5:00 p.m. UAB Georgia Southern Paulson Stadium • Statesboro, GA ESPN+ W 49–35 20,103 September 9 5:00 p.m. Louisiana Old Dominion S.B. Ballard Stadium • Norfolk, VA ESPN+ ODU 38–31 18,154 September 9 6:00 p.m. Jacksonville State Coastal Carolina Brooks Stadium • Conway, SC ESPN+ W 30–16 16,006 September 9 6:00 p.m. UConn Georgia State Center Parc Stadium • Atlanta, GA ESPN+ W 35–14 15,186 September 9 6:00 p.m. Memphis Arkansas State Centennial Bank Stadium • Jonesboro, AR (Paint Bucket Bowl )ESPN+ L 3–37 18,724 September 9 7:00 p.m. Lamar Louisiana–Monroe Malone Stadium • Monroe, LA ESPN+ W 24–14 13,154 September 9 7:30 p.m. Southern Miss No. 4 Florida State Doak Campbell Stadium • Tallahasse, FL ACCN L 13–66 74,467 # Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time .
Week 3 Date Time Visiting team Home team Site TV Result Attendance September 16 11:00 a.m. Georgia Southern Wisconsin Camp Randall Stadium • Madison, WI BTN L 14–35 75,610 September 16 11:00 a.m. Wake Forest Old Dominion S.B. Ballard Stadium • Norfolk, VA ESPN2 L 24–27 18,276 September 16 2:30 p.m. East Carolina Appalachian State Kidd Brewer Stadium • Boone, NC ESPN+ W 43–28 40,168 September 16 3:00 p.m. Louisiana–Monroe Texas A&M Kyle Field • College Station, TX SECN L 3–47 93,090 September 16 3:00 p.m. Tulane Southern Miss M. M. Roberts Stadium • Hattiesburg, MS (Battle for the Bell ) ESPNU L 3–21 25,038 September 16 5:00 p.m. Georgia State Charlotte Jerry Richardson Stadium • Charlotte, NC ESPN+ W 41–25 14,410 September 16 6:00 p.m. Duquesne Coastal Carolina Brooks Stadium • Conway, SC ESPN+ W 66–7 18,116 September 16 6:00 p.m. Stony Brook Arkansas State Centennial Bank Stadium • Jonesboro, AR ESPN+ W 31–7 14,327 September 16 6:00 p.m. Louisiana UAB Protective Stadium • Birmingham, AL ESPN+ W 41–21 21,673 September 16 6:00 p.m. South Alabama Oklahoma State Boone Pickens Stadium • Stillwater, OK ESPN+ W 33–7 53,855 September 16 6:00 p.m. James Madison Troy Veterans Memorial Stadium • Troy, AL NFLN JMU 16–14 26,634 September 16 7:30 p.m. Jackson State Texas State Bobcat Stadium • San Marcos, TX ESPN+ W 77–34 24,118 # Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time .
Week 4 Date Time Visiting team Home team Site TV Result Attendance September 21 6:30 p.m. Georgia State Coastal Carolina Brooks Stadium • Conway, SC ESPN GSU 30–17 15,248 September 23 11:00 a.m. Western Kentucky Troy Veterans Memorial Stadium • Troy, AL ESPNU W 27–24 26,124 September 23 11:00 a.m. Virginia Tech Marshall Joan C. Edwards Stadium • Huntington, WV ESPN2 W 24–17 31,475 September 23 1:00 p.m. Georgia Southern Ball State Scheumann Stadium • Muncie, IN ESPN+ W 40–3 10,118 September 23 2:30 p.m. Texas A&M-Commerce Old Dominion S.B. Ballard Stadium • Norfolk, VA ESPN+ W 10–9 16,938 September 23 4:00 p.m. Central Michigan South Alabama Hancock Whitney Stadium • Mobile, AL ESPN+ L 30–34 18,369 September 23 6:00 p.m. Appalachian State Wyoming War Memorial Stadium • Laramie, WY CBSSN L 19–22 21,169 September 23 6:00 p.m. Southern Miss Arkansas State Centennial Bank Stadium • Jonesboro, AR ESPN+ ARKST 44–37 16,601 September 23 6:00 p.m. Nevada Texas State Bobcats Stadium • San Marcos, TX ESPN+ W 35–24 19,257 September 23 6:30 p.m. Buffalo Louisiana Cajun Field • Lafayette, LA ESPN+ W 45–38 17,674 September 23 7:00 p.m. James Madison Utah State Maverik Stadium • Logan, UT W 45–38 19,994 # Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time .
Week 5 Date Time Visiting team Home team Site TV Result Attendance September 30 11:00 a.m. Louisiana Minnesota Huntington Bank Stadium • Minneapolis, MN BTN L 24–35 46,843 September 30 11:00 a.m. South Alabama James Madison Bridgeforth Stadium • Harrisonburg, VA ESPNU JMU 31–23 26,064 September 30 2:30 p.m. Arkansas State UMass Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium • Hadley, MA ESPN+ W 52–28 9,494 September 30 2:30 p.m. Old Dominion Marshall Joan C. Edwards Stadium • Huntington, WV ESPN+ MU 41–35 22,652 September 30 6:00 p.m. Coastal Carolina Georgia Southern Paulson Stadium • Statesboro, GA NFLN GASO 38–28 26,483 September 30 6:00 p.m. Troy Georgia State Center Parc Stadium • Atlanta, GA ESPN+ TROY 28–7 16,536 September 30 6:00 p.m. Texas State Southern Miss M. M. Roberts Stadium • Hattiesburg, MS ESPN+ TXST 50–36 21,304 September 30 7:00 p.m. Appalachian State Louisiana–Monroe Malone Stadium • Monroe, LA ESPN+ APPST 41–40 19,919 # Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time .
Week 6 Date Time Visiting team Home team Site TV Result Attendance October 7 1:00 p.m. Marshall NC State Carter–Finley Stadium • Raleigh, NC CW L 41–48 56,919 October 7 2:30 p.m. Texas State Louisiana Cajun Field • Lafayette, LA ESPNU ULL 34–30 15,053 October 7 3:00 p.m. Arkansas State Troy Veterans Memorial Stadium • Troy, AL ESPN+ TROY 37–3 26,957 October 7 6:00 p.m. South Alabama Louisiana–Monroe Malone Stadium • Monroe, LA ESPN+ SOAL 55–7 12,099 October 7 6:00 p.m. Old Dominion Southern Miss M. M. Roberts Stadium • Hattiesburg, MS ESPN+ ODU 17–13 22,652 # Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time .
Week 7 Date Time Visiting team Home team Site TV Result Attendance October 10 6:30 p.m. Coastal Carolina Appalachian State Kidd Brewer Stadium • Boone, NC ESPN2 CCU 27–24 34,252 October 14 11:00 a.m. Georgia Southern James Madison Bridgeforth Stadium • Harrisonburg, VA ESPN2 JMU 41–13 25,097 October 14 2:30 p.m. Troy Army Michie Stadium • West Point, NY CBSSN W 19–0 27,829 October 14 6:00 p.m. Marshall Georgia State Center Parc Stadium • Atlanta, GA ESPN2 GSU 41–24 16,718 October 14 6:00 p.m. Louisiana–Monroe Texas State Bobcat Stadium • San Marcos, TX ESPN+ TXST 21–20 27,537 # Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time .
Week 8 Date Time Visiting team Home team Site TV Result Attendance October 17 6:30 p.m. Southern Miss South Alabama Hancock Whitney Stadium • Mobile, AL ESPN2 SOAL 55–3 23,478 October 19 6:00 p.m. James Madison Marshall Joan C. Edwards Stadium • Huntington, WV ESPN JMU 20–9 22,109 October 21 1:00 p.m. Louisiana–Monroe Georgia Southern Paulson Stadium • Statesboro, GA ESPN+ GASO 38–28 21,068 October 21 6:00 p.m. Appalachian State Old Dominion S.B. Ballard Stadium • Norfolk, VA (Oyster Bowl ) NFLN ODU 28–21 20,017 October 21 6:00 p.m. Coastal Carolina Arkansas State Centennial Bank Stadium • Jonesboro, AR ESPN+ CCU 27–17 18,228 October 21 7:00 p.m. Georgia State Louisiana Cajun Field • Lafayette, LA ESPNU GSU 20–17 20,044 # Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time .
Week 9 Date Time Visiting team Home team Site TV Result Attendance October 26 6:30 p.m. Georgia State Georgia Southern Paulson Stadium • Statesboro, GA (Modern Day Hate ) ESPN2 GASO 44–27 23,389 October 28 2:30 p.m. Southern Miss Appalachian State Kidd Brewer Stadium • Boone, NC ESPN+ APPST 48–38 32,601 October 28 4:00 p.m. Arkansas State Louisiana–Monroe Malone Stadium • Monroe, LA ESPN+ ARKST 34–24 14,006 October 28 4:00 p.m. Louisiana South Alabama Hancock Whitney Stadium • Mobile, AL ESPN+ ULL 33–20 16,709 October 28 5:00 p.m. Marshall Coastal Carolina Brooks Stadium • Conway, SC NFLN CCU 34–6 21,324 October 28 6:00 p.m. Troy Texas State Bobcat Stadium • San Marcos, TX ESPN+ TROY 31–13 22,369 October 28 7:00 p.m. Old Dominion No. 25 James Madison Bridgeforth Stadium • Harrisonburg, VA (Royal Rivalry ) ESPNU JMU 30–27 26,239 # Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time .
Week 10 Date Time Visiting team Home team Site TV Result Attendance November 2 6:30 p.m. South Alabama Troy Veterans Memorial Stadium • Troy, AL (Battle for the Belt ) ESPN2 TROY 28–10 28,212 November 4 2:00 p.m. Louisiana Arkansas State Centennial Bank Stadium • Jonesboro, AR ESPN+ ARKST 37–17 15,881 November 4 2:30 p.m. James Madison Georgia State Center Parc Stadium • Atlanta, GA ESPN2 JMU 42–14 15,320 November 4 2:30 p.m. Coastal Carolina Old Dominion S.B. Ballard Stadium • Norfolk, VA ESPN+ CCU 28–24 17,982 November 4 3:00 p.m. Louisiana–Monroe Southern Miss M. M. Roberts Stadium • Hattiesburg, MS ESPN+ USM 24–7 20,193 November 4 4:00 p.m. Georgia Southern Texas State Bobcat Stadium • San Marcos, TX ESPN+ TXST 45–24 18.204 November 4 5:00 p.m. Marshall Appalachian State Kidd Brewer Stadium • Boone, NC (The Old Mountain Feud ) NFLN APPST 31–9 34,057 # Rankings from College Football Playoff . All times are in Central Time .
Week 11 Date Time Visiting team Home team Site TV Result Attendance November 9 6:30 p.m. Southern Miss Louisiana Cajun Field • Lafayette, LA ESPNU USM 34–31 OT 15,137 November 11 12:00 p.m. Old Dominion Liberty Williams Stadium • Lynchburg, VA ESPN+ L 10–38 21,481 November 11 1:00 p.m. UConn James Madison Bridgeforth Stadium • Harrisonburg, VA ESPN+ W 44–6 25,240 November 11 1:00 p.m. Appalachian State Georgia State Center Parc Stadium • Atlanta, GA ESPN+ APPST 42–14 14,260 November 11 1:00 p.m. Troy Louisiana–Monroe Malone Stadium • Monroe, LA ESPN+ TROY 45–14 7,683 November 11 2:30 p.m. Texas State Coastal Carolina Brooks Stadium • Conway, SC ESPN+ CCU 31–23 15,832 November 11 4:00 p.m. Arkansas State South Alabama Hancock Whitney Stadium • Mobile, AL ESPN+ SOAL 21–14 15,242 November 11 6:00 p.m. Georgia Southern Marshall Joan C. Edwards Stadium • Huntington, WV NFLN MU 38–33 19,175 # Rankings from College Football Playoff . All times are in Central Time .
Week 12 Date Time Visiting team Home team Site TV Result Attendance November 18 11:00 a.m. Louisiana–Monroe No. 13 Ole Miss Vaught–Hemingway Stadium • University, MS SECN L 3–35 60,752 November 18 11:00 a.m. Coastal Carolina Army Michie Stadium • West Point, NY CBSSN L 21–28 26,867 November 18 11:00 a.m. Southern Miss Mississippi State Davis Wade Stadium • Mississippi State, MS SECN+/ESPN+ L 20–41 53,855 November 18 1:00 p.m. Appalachian State James Madison Bridgeforth Stadium • Harrisonburg, VA ESPN+ APPST 26–23 OT 25,838 November 18 2:00 p.m. Texas State Arkansas State Centennial Bank Stadium • Jonesboro, AR ESPN+ ARKST 77–31 16,721 November 18 2:30 p.m. Louisiana Troy Veterans Memorial Stadium • Troy, AL NFLN TROY 31–24 26,621 November 18 4:00 p.m. Marshall South Alabama Hancock Whitney Stadium • Mobile, AL ESPN+ SOAL 28–0 14,105 November 18 5:00 p.m. Old Dominion Georgia Southern Paulson Stadium • Statesboro, GA ESPN+ ODU 20–17 20,032 November 18 7:00 p.m. Georgia State No. 15 LSU Tiger Stadium • Baton Rouge, LA EPSN2 L 14–56 100,212 # Rankings from College Football Playoff . All times are in Central Time .
Week 13 Date Time Visiting team Home team Site TV Result Attendance November 25 11:00 a.m. Troy Southern Miss M. M. Roberts Stadium • Hattiesburg, MS ESPNU TROY 35–17 19,766 November 25 1:00 p.m. Georgia State Old Dominion S.B. Ballard Stadium • Norfolk, VA ESPN+ ODU 25–24 15,717 November 25 1:00 p.m. Louisiana–Monroe Louisiana Cajun Field • Lafayette, LA (Battle on the Bayou ) ESPN+ ULL 52–21 13,892 November 25 2:30 p.m. Georgia Southern Appalachian State Kidd Brewer Stadium • Boone, NC (rivalry ) ESPNU APPST 55–27 31,248 November 25 2:30 p.m. James Madison Coastal Carolina Brooks Stadium • Conway, SC ESPN2 JMU 56–14 16,196 November 25 2:30 p.m. Arkansas State Marshall Joan C. Edwards Stadium • Huntington, WV ESPN+ MU 35–21 18,673 November 25 6:00 p.m. South Alabama Texas State Bobcat Stadium • San Marcos, TX NFLN TXST 52–44 15,617 # Rankings from College Football Playoff . All times are in Central Time .
Championship Game Postseason Bowl Games Legend Sun Belt win Sun Belt loss
Bowl game Date Site Television Time (CST ) Sun Belt team Opponent Score Attendance Myrtle Beach Bowl December 16 Brooks Stadium • Conway, SC ESPN 10:00 a.m. Georgia Southern Ohio L 21–418,059 New Orleans Bowl December 16 Caesars Superdome • New Orleans, LA ESPN 1:15 p.m. Louisiana Jacksonville State L 31–34OT 14,485 Cure Bowl December 16 FBC Mortgage Stadium • Orlando, FL ABC 2:30 p.m. Appalachian State Miami (OH) W 13–911,121 Famous Toastery Bowl December 18 Jerry Richardson Stadium • Charlotte, NC ESPN 1:30 p.m. Old Dominion Western Kentucky L 35–38OT 5,632 Frisco Bowl December 19 Toyota Stadium • Frisco, TX ESPN 8:00 p.m. Marshall UTSA L 17–3511,215 Birmingham Bowl December 23 Protective Stadium • Birmingham, AL ABC 11:00 a.m. Troy Duke L 10–1720,023 Camellia Bowl December 23 Cramton Bowl • Montgomery, AL ESPN 11:00 a.m. Arkansas State Northern Illinois L 19–2111,310 Armed Forces Bowl December 23 Amon G. Carter Stadium • Fort Worth, TX ABC 2:30 p.m. James Madison Air Force L 21–3130,828 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl December 23 Albertsons Stadium • Boise, ID ESPN 2:30 p.m. Georgia State Utah State W 45–2212,168 68 Ventures Bowl December 23 Hancock Whitney Stadium • Mobile, AL ESPN 6:00 p.m. South Alabama Eastern Michigan W 59–1020,926 Hawaii Bowl December 23 Clarence T. C. Ching Athletics Complex • Honolulu, HI ESPN 9:30 p.m. Coastal Carolina San Jose State W 24–147,089 First Responder Bowl December 26 Gerald J. Ford Stadium • University Park, TX ESPN 4:30 p.m. Texas State Rice W 45–2126,542
Rankings are from Final CFP rankings. All times Central Time Zone.
Selection of teams Bowl eligible (12): Appalachian State, Arkansas State, Coastal Carolina, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, James Madison[b] Bowl ineligible (2): Louisiana–Monroe, Southern MissSun Belt records vs other conferences 2023–2024 records against non-conference foes:
Sun Belt vs Power 5 matchups This is a list of games the Sun Belt has scheduled versus power conference teams (ACC , Big 10 , Big 12 , Pac-12 , Notre Dame and SEC ). All rankings are from the current AP Poll at the time of the game.
Date Conference Visitor Home Site Score September 2 Pac-12 Coastal Carolina UCLA Rose Bowl • Pasadena, CA L 13–27September 2 ACC Old Dominion Virginia Tech Lane Stadium • Blacksburg, VA L 17–36September 2 Big 12 Arkansas State No. 20 Oklahoma Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium • Norman, OK L 0–73September 2 Big 12 Texas State Baylor McLane Stadium • Waco, TX W 42–31September 9 ACC Appalachian State No. 17 North Carolina Kenan Memorial Stadium • Chapel Hill, NC L 34–40 2OT September 9 ACC James Madison Virginia Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA W 36–35September 9 ACC Southern Miss No. 4 Florida State Doak Campbell Stadium • Tallahasse, FL L 13–66September 9 Big 12 Troy No. 15 Kansas State Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium • Manhattan, KS L 13–42September 16 Big Ten Georgia Southern Wisconsin Camp Randall Stadium • Madison, WI L 14–35September 16 ACC Wake Forest Old Dominion S.B. Ballard Stadium • Norfolk, VA L 24–27September 16 SEC Louisiana–Monroe Texas A&M Kyle Field • College Station, TX L 3–47September 16 Big 12 South Alabama Oklahoma State Boone Pickens Stadium • Stillwater, OK W 33–7September 23 ACC Virginia Tech Marshall Joan C. Edwards Stadium • Huntington, WV W 24–17September 30 Big Ten Louisiana Minnesota Huntington Bank Stadium • Minneapolis, MN L 24–35October 7 ACC Marshall NC State Carter–Finley Stadium • Raleigh, NC L 41–48November 18 SEC Georgia State No. 15 LSU Tiger Stadium • Baton Rouge, LA L 14–56November 18 SEC Louisiana–Monroe No. 13 Ole Miss Vaught–Hemingway Stadium • Oxford, MS L 3–35November 18 SEC Southern Miss Mississippi State Davis Wade Stadium • Starkville, MS L 20–41
Sun Belt vs Group of Five matchups The following games include Sun Belt teams competing against teams from the American , C-USA , MAC , or Mountain West .
Date Conference Visitor Home Site Score September 2 American South Alabama No. 24 Tulane Yulman Stadium • New Orleans, LA L 17–37September 9 C-USA Jacksonville State Coastal Carolina Brooks Stadium • Conway, SC W 30–16September 9 American UAB Georgia Southern Paulson Stadium • Statesboro, GA W 49–35September 9 American Marshall East Carolina Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium • Greenville, NC W 31–13September 9 American Memphis Arkansas State Centennial Bank Stadium • Jonesboro, AR L 3–37September 9 American Texas State UTSA Alamodome • San Antonio, TX L 13–20September 16 American East Carolina Appalachian State Kidd Brewer Stadium • Boone, NC W 43–28September 16 American Georgia State Charlotte Jerry Richardson Stadium • Charlotte, NC W 41–25September 16 American Louisiana UAB Protective Stadium • Birmingham, AL W 41–21September 16 American Tulane Southern Miss M. M. Roberts Stadium • Hattiesburg, MS L 3–21September 23 Mountain West Appalachian State Wyoming War Memorial Stadium • Laramie, WY L 19–22September 23 MAC Georgia Southern Ball State Scheumann Stadium • Muncie, IN W 40–3September 23 Mountain West James Madison Utah State Maverik Stadium • Logan, UT W 45–38September 23 MAC Buffalo Louisiana Cajun Field • Lafayette, LA W 45–38September 23 MAC Central Michigan South Alabama Hancock Whitney Stadium • Mobile, AL L 30–34September 23 Mountain West Nevada Texas State Bobcat Stadium • San Marcos, TX W 35–24September 23 C-USA Western Kentucky Troy Veterans Memorial Stadium • Troy, AL W 27–24November 11 C-USA Old Dominion Liberty Williams Stadium • Lynchburg, VA L 10–38
Sun Belt vs FBS independents matchups The following games include Sun Belt teams competing against FBS Independents , which includes Army , UConn , or UMass .
Date Visitor Home Site Score September 2 Army Louisiana–Monroe Malone Stadium • Monroe, LA W 17–13September 9 UConn Georgia State Center Parc Stadium • Atlanta, GA W 35–14September 30 Arkansas State UMass Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium • Hadley, MA W 52–28October 14 Troy Army Michie Stadium • West Point, NY W 19–0November 11 UConn James Madison Bridgeforth Stadium • Harrisonburg, VA W 44–6November 18 Coastal Carolina Army Michie Stadium • West Point, NY L 21–28
Sun Belt vs FCS matchups Date Visitor Home Site Score August 31 Rhode Island Georgia State Center Parc Stadium • Atlanta, GA W 42–35September 2 Gardner-Webb Appalachian State Kidd Brewer Stadium • Boone, NC W 45–24September 2 The Citadel Georgia Southern Paulson Stadium • Statesboro, GA W 34–0September 2 Bucknell James Madison Bridgeforth Stadium • Harrisonburg, VA W 38–3September 2 Albany Marshall Joan C. Edwards Stadium • Huntington, WV W 21–17September 2 Northwestern State Louisiana Cajun Field • Lafayette, LA W 38–13September 2 Alcorn State Southern Miss M. M. Roberts Stadium • Hattiesburg, MS W 40–14September 2 Stephen F. Austin Troy Veterans Memorial Stadium • Troy, AL W 48–30September 9 Lamar Louisiana–Monroe Malone Stadium • Monroe, LA W 24–14September 9 Southeastern Louisiana South Alabama Hancock Whitney Stadium • Mobile, AL W 35–17September 16 Duquesne Coastal Carolina Brooks Stadium • Conway, SC W 66–7September 16 Stony Brook Arkansas State Centennial Bank Stadium • Jonesboro, AR W 31–7September 16 Jackson State Texas State Bobcat Stadium • San Marcos, TX W 77–34September 23 Texas A&M-Commerce Old Dominion S.B. Ballard Stadium • Norfolk, VA W 10–9
Home game attendance Team Stadium Capacity Game 1 Game 2 Game 3 Game 4 Game 5 Game 6 Total Average % of Capacity Appalachian State Kidd Brewer Stadium 30,000 36,075 40,168 34,252 110,495 36,832 122.7% Arkansas State Centennial Bank Stadium 30,406 18,724 14,327 16,601 18,228 67,880 16,970 55.8% Coastal Carolina Brooks Stadium 21,000 16,006 18,116 15,248 49,370 16,457 78.3% Georgia Southern Paulson Stadium 25,000 17,803 20,103 26,483 21,068 85,457 21,364 85.4% Georgia State Center Parc Stadium 24,333 15,546 15,186 16,536 16,718 63,986 15,997 65.7% James Madison Bridgeforth Stadium 24,877 23,756 26,064 25,097 74,917 24,972 100.3% Louisiana Cajun Field 41,426 18,186 17,674 15,053 20,044 70,957 17,739 42.8% Louisiana–Monroe Malone Stadium 27,617 18,914 13,154 19,919 12,099 64,086 16,022 58.0% Marshall Joan C. Edwards Stadium 38,227 25,101 31,475 22,652 22,109 100,337 25,084 65.26 Old Dominion S. B. Ballard Stadium 21,944 18,154 18,276 16,938 20,017 73,385 18,346 83.6% South Alabama Hancock Whitney Stadium 25,450 15,237 18,369 23,478 57,084 19,028 74.7% Southern Miss M. M. Roberts Stadium 36,000 30,335 25,038 21,304 22,652 99,329 24,832 68.9% Texas State Jim Wacker Field at Bobcat Stadium 30,008 24,118 19,257 27,537 70,912 23,637 78.7% Troy Veterans Memorial Stadium 30,470 28,179 26,634 26,124 26,957 107,894 26,974 88.5%
Bold – At or Exceeded capacity
Awards and honors Player of the week honors Sun Belt individual awards The following individuals received postseason honors as voted by the Sun Belt Conference football coaches at the end of the season.[25]
All-Conference teams The following players were selected as part of the Sun Belt's All-Conference Teams.[25]
Position Player Team Second Team Offense WR Sam Pinckney Coastal Carolina WR Khaleb Hood Georgia Southern WR Joey Hobert Texas State OL Makilan Thomas Arkansas State OL Rasheed Miller Georgia Southern OL Tyler Stephens James Madison OL Grant Betts Troy OL Daniel King Troy TE Eli Wilson Appalachian State QB Joey Aguilar Appalachian State RB Rasheen Ali Marshall RB Frank Gore Jr. Southern Miss Second Team Defense DL James Carpenter James Madison DL Mikail Kamara James Madison DL Adin Huntington Louisiana–Monroe DL Ben Bell Texas State DL T.J. Jackson Troy LB Nate Johnson Appalachian State LB Quentin Wilfawn South Alabama LB Brian Holloway Texas State DB Ethan Johnson Appalachian State DB Shemar Bartholomew Georgia Southern DB D’Angelo Ponds James Madison DB Dell Pettus Troy Second Team Specialists K Michael Hughes Appalachian State P Ryan Hanson James Madison RS Ismail Mahdi Texas State AP Frank Gore Jr. Southern Miss
Position Player Team Third Team Offense WR Robert Lewis Georgia State WR Jabre Barber Troy WR Chris Lewis Troy OL Jack Murphy Appalachian State OL Will McDonald Coastal Carolina OL AJ Gillie Louisiana OL Ethan Driskell Marshall OL Brey Walker Texas State TE Neal Johnson Louisiana QB Gunnar Watson Troy RB Jalen White Georgia Southern RB La'Damian Webb South Alabama Third Team Defense DL Thurman Geathers Arkansas State DL Isaac Walker Georgia Southern DL Elijah Alston Marshall DL Wy’Kevious Thomas South Alabama LB Jontrey Hunter Georgia State LB Aiden Fisher James Madison LB Eli Neal Marshall LB Wayne Matthews III Old Dominion DB Clayton Isbell Coastal Carolina DB Gavin Pringle Georgia State DB Yam Banks South Alabama DB Irshaad Davis Troy Third Team Specialists K Camden Wise James Madison P John McConnell Marshall RS Ja’Quez Cross Arkansas State AP Caullin Lacy South Alabama
All-Americans Currently, the NCAA compiles consensus all-America teams in the sports of Division I-FBS football and Division I men's basketball using a point system computed from All-America teams named by coaches associations or media sources. The system consists of three points for a first-team honor, two points for second-team honor, and one point for third-team honor. Honorable mention and fourth team or lower recognitions are not accorded any points. College Football All-American consensus teams are compiled by position and the player accumulating the most points at each position is named first team consensus all-American. Currently, the NCAA recognizes All-Americans selected by the AP, AFCA, FWAA, TSN , and the WCFF to determine Consensus and Unanimous All-Americans. Any player named to the First Team by all five of the NCAA-recognized selectors is deemed a Unanimous All-American.
Position Player School Selector Unanimous Consensus First Team All-Americans DL Jalen Green James Madison AP , SI, The Athletic, USAT, WCFF LB Jason Henderson Old Dominion TSN , WCFF KR Jayden Harrison Marshall CBS, FOX, FWAA , WCFF AP Ismail Mahdi Texas State CBS
Position Player School Selector Unanimous Consensus Second Team All-Americans DL Jalen Green James Madison AFCA , CBS, FOX, FWAA , TSN LB Jason Henderson Old Dominion AP , FWAA , USATAP Ismail Mahdi Texas State FWAA
Position Player School Selector Unanimous Consensus Third Team All-Americans RB Kimani Vidal Troy AP
NFL draft The NFL draft will be held at Campus Martius Park in Detroit . The following list includes all Sun Belt players in the draft.
List of selections Notes References
Conference seasons Inter-conference All-Americans
East Division West Division Championships & awards Seasons
