2023 Sun Belt Conference Schedule Review

The Sun Belt has been growing in stature in recent years and with big changes recently or on the horizon in several conferences, the 2023 Sun Belt Conference features 14 teams mirroring last season. The conference is 26-16 in bowl games since 2015 and could produce several quality teams in 2023-24 as well. 

With 14 teams split into two divisions of seven teams by East and West divisions, the schedules in the eight-game conference path are always uneven. The divisions have featured many seasons of imbalance but look reasonably balanced in 2023-24. James Madison was the big story last season as a new FBS entrant that finished first in the East division but was not eligible to advance to the SBC Championship, which was won by Troy over Coastal Carolina. 

The West is likely to feature Troy and South Alabama in the mix for the title again with both teams finishing 7-1 in conference play last season. The scheduling edge in that race sides with Troy who will host South Alabama in November after winning in Mobile 10-6 last season. South Alabama plays James Madison and Marshall from East division including playing at James Madison for a tougher draw than Troy faces. 

Louisiana dominated the Sun Belt from 2019-2021 with three straight double-digit win seasons going 23-3 in conference games and the Ragin’ Cajuns are a threat to rise in the standings after going just 6-7 overall last season. Louisiana draws Old Dominion and Georgia State from the East, teams that combined to go just 5-11 in SBC play last season. Louisiana will be a long shot for the West title as they play on the road at South Alabama and at Troy in key division games however. 

In the East James Madison, Coastal Carolina, and Marshall were in a tight race for the lead spot with newcomer James Madison featuring by far the best scoring numbers in the conference. James Madison has several key players to replace and may not surprise anyone this season while drawing arguably the most difficult SBC path with Troy and South Alabama on the schedule from the West. 

Coastal Carolina quarterback Grayson McCall is back to add to legendary career statistics, but the Chanticleers have a new coach to leave some uncertainty towards another season of contention after going 20-5 in league games the past three seasons. The West draw is favorable facing Arkansas State and Texas State, the bottom two teams from last season in the standings. 

Marshall does have to play South Alabama from the West draw for a disadvantage in the race and three of four road games in the eight-game slate will be against likely top contenders. The Thundering Herd may have a difficult time seriously challenging for its first SBC title after joining the conference last season and finishing 5-3 with wins in five of the final six games. 

After a down year in 2022, many expect Appalachian State to remerge as a top threat in the Sun Belt, with the program winning league titles in 2018 and 2019 and making the tile game in 2021. A new quarterback takes over, but Appalachian State does have a favorable schedule facing UL-Monroe and Southern Miss from the West and hosting Coastal Carolina and Marshall this season. 

While the East provides a crowded race, a sleeper could be Georgia Southern. Clay Helton’s hiring in Statesboro felt like a head-scratcher, but he turned in a bowl season last year that also included notable wins over Nebraska, James Madison, and Appalachian State. Georgia Southern has most of its offensive contributors from last season back and brings in Tulsa transfer Davis Brin at quarterback. The schedule is appealing playing UL-Monroe and Texas State teams that were a combined 5-11 in league play last season as well. Three of four road games are difficult contests but the Eagles could stay in the mix. 

Georgia State and Arkansas State are teams with less than ideal schedules that could mean marginal campaigns will be ahead. Georgia State plays Troy and Louisiana from the West and all four home games for the Panthers will be very difficult as this may be a team to fade in SBC play, especially if the Panthers win in non-conference play with a 3-0 start possible. 

Former Sun Belt power Arkansas State is just 5-19 in two seasons under Butch Jones and there isn’t a lot to like about the returning roster. The Red Wolves won just once in SBC play last season so improvement is likely, but three of four home games will be vs. contenders while having to face two of the better East teams in the crossover games. 

The Sun Belt should continue to provide quality play with several experienced coaches and quarterbacks in the conference and this should be a conference to look out for in bowl opportunities again at the end of the season.