The givens in the Sun Belt Conference continue to dwindle each week.
For most of the season, the James Madison Dukes were one of the givens, but then they lost two in a row before enjoying a redemption road victory at Southern Mississippi on Thursday.
Perhaps newcomer Louisiana Tech is the only given these days, but that will be tested Saturday with a road game at reigning West Division champion Troy.
Speaking of the Trojans, it can be difficult to figure them out. After losing 33-6 in Lafayette and losing at home to UL-Monroe, Troy won at James Madison last week.
Sun Belt starting quarterbacks also are no longer a given. Both James Madison and Southern Miss had new starters in the Dukes’ 54-23 win Thursday.
Georgia Southern has played multiple quarterbacks because of injuries. Troy started veteran backup Tucker Kilcrease last week. Marshall moved away from starter Carlos Del Rio-Wilson for two games before he teamed with Zion Turner for last week’s win over Old Dominion.
UL is one of the few teams to play one quarterback all season.
1. Louisiana Tech
Record: 6-2, 4-0 Sun Belt
Last week: Defeated South Alabama, 35-20
This week: at Troy, 3 p.m. ESPN+
Extra points: There’s no arguing how good quarterback Blake Baker has been this seson. In last week’s win over South Alabama, Baker was 10-of-16 passing for 167 yards and three scores while also rushing for 81 yards. But South Alabama had eight more first downs, 82 more yards and limited Tech to 2 of 11 on third- and fourth-down conversions.
2. James Madison
Record: 8-2, 5-2
Last week: Lost to Troy 24-21
This week: Defeated Southern Miss 54-23 on Thursday
Extra points: After throwing two picks in a home loss to Troy, the Dukes reversed the roles of their two-quarterback system with the athletic JC Evans taking the lead role over pocket passer Camden Coleman, and it worked. Evans was 19-of-26 passing for 251 yards and a score in addition to rushing for 47 yards and three touchdowns against Southern Miss. JMU shut down the surging Southern Miss rushing attack to the tune of 88 yards.
3. Georgia Southern
Record: 4-4, 3-1
Last week: Defeated App State 19-3
This week: vs. Marshall, 2:30 p.m. ESPN+
Extra points: Two of the big offseason moves for Georgia Southern came up big in the Eagles’ win over App State. Transfer quarterback Max Johnson was 35-of-46 passing for 323 yards while connecting with 13 different targets. New defensive coordinator Mike Mutz also continued to shine. The Eagles limited App State to three points and 6 yards rushing. Because of that defense, Georgia Southern was able to settle for field goals, and Bryant Tripp made all four of his attempts in the low-scoring affair.
4. Appalachian State
Record: 5-3, 2-2
Last week: Lost to Georgia Southern 19-3
This week: vs. Georgia State, 1:30 p.m. ESPN+
Extra points: Perhaps the Old Dominion loss in the rain wasn’t as fluky as we thought. Just when it looked like the Mountaineers were flexing, they went to Statesboro and scored three points. App State had only 12 first downs and 6 yards rushing. The Mountaineers suffered three turnovers and their defense gave up 432 yards. App State and UL have the same records, but the Mountaineers theoretically have the better win by beating James Madison at home.
5. UL
Record: 5-3, 2-2
Last week: Open date
This week: vs. South Alabama, 4 p.m. ESPN+
Extra points: The Cajuns are hard to figure out, but if senior safety Collin Jacob can return from his broken arm, it provides some defensive stability. Essentially, UL is two plays away from being 7-1 and 4-0, but protecting the passer and consistency in the passing game have been harder to come by in recent weeks. If the UL defense can’t get back to stopping the run, the season may spring a leak too big to patch up.
6. Troy
Record: 4-4, 2-2
Last week: Defeated James Madison 24-21 (OT)
This week: vs. Louisiana Tech, 3 p.m. ESPN+
Extra points: In the last three weeks, Troy has lost 33-6 in Lafayette, gave UL-Monroe its first win in over a calendar year and then won at James Madison. The explanation is the Trojans forced five turnovers against the Dukes. Offensively, Troy was only 4 of 19 on conversion downs, but both teams had 17 first downs. Quarterback Tucker Kilcrease was 15-of-30 passing for 179 yards, but that was enough. We’ll see if the defense can find an answer for Louisiana Tech quarterback Blake Baker.
7. Marshall
Record: 5-3, 2-2
Last week: Defeated Old Dominion, 36-23
This week: at Georgia Southern, 2:30 p.m. ESPN+
Extra points: Marshall kept its slim title game hopes alive with a win over Old Dominion. The Herd led 27-10 at the half, thanks to a 100-yard touchdown return of a missed field goal. Both quarterbacks — Carlos Del Rio-Wilson and Zion Turner — played, but the numbers weren’t pretty. ODU actually outgained the Herd 409-338 behind 329 yards passing. Marshall can add to the chaos with a road win over Georgia Southern.
8. South Alabama
Record: 4-4, 2-2
Last week: Lost to Louisiana Tech 35-20
This week: at UL, 4 p.m. ESPN-plus
Extra points: After a poor offensive performance at Marshall, the Jaguars played quite well against first-place Louisiana Tech. Jared Hollins threw for 192 yards and two touchdowns, and wide receiver Anthony Eager caught seven passes for 102 yards and those two scores. Meanwhile, the defense limited the Bulldogs to 315 total yards. Like so many Sun Belt teams this weekend, this is a critical swing game for the Jaguars.
9. Arkansas State
Record: 4-4, 2-2
Last week: Open date
This week: vs. UL-Monroe, 2 p.m. ESPN+
Extra points: It’s hard to figure out what to expect from the Red Wolves the rest of the way. After losing their first two league games, the Red Wolves now are just one home win away from being over .500 in Sun Belt play. The passing game has been productive. That could be a good matchup against the Warhawks, whose defense is ranked No. 12 in the league against the pass.
10. Coastal Carolina
Record: 3-5, 2-2
Last week: Defeated Georgia State 31-20
This week: vs. Old Dominion, noon ESPN+
Extra points: The Chanticleers are one of many teams with renewed hope after a rough start in league play after the contenders have slipped. Quarterback Deuce Bailey was very productive in beating the Panthers, completing 23 of 33 passes for 307 yards and three touchdowns. He had a red-hot receiver with Chayton Coppock catching 10 passes for 110 yards and two scores. If Georgia Southern loses again, chaos will ensue in the East Division race. The Chanticleers must win to be in position to join the fun.
11. Southern Miss
Record: 3-6, 2-3
Last week: Defeated UL-Monroe 35-21
This week: Lost to James Madison 54-23
Extra points: The Golden Eagles took a 14-13 lead with a Steven Robinson 2-yard TD run with 37 seconds left before halftime against James Madison, but the Dukes got a 40-yard field goal on the last play of the first half and then scored on the other side of intermission to spring a rout. Southern Miss had a new quarterback in John White, who was 22-of-35 passing for 266 yards, but the running game wasn’t there.
12. Georgia State
Record: 4-4, 1-3
Last week: Lost at Coastal Carolina 31-20
This week: at Appalachian State, 1:30 p.m. ESPN+
Extra points: The Panthers played last week without starting quarterback Cameran Brown and it wasn’t pretty. The Chanticleers led 31-6 in the third quarter. Backup Ayden Perieira was 20-of-37 passing for 200 yards with two touchdowns, but Georgia State lost the total yards battle 375-360. From now on, the Panthers are just hoping to enjoy as many wins as possible while playing a spoiler.
13. Old Dominion
Record: 2-7, 1-5
Last week: Lost to Marshall 36-23
This week: at Coastal Carolina, noon ESPN+
Extra points: The Monarchs are down to their third quarterback, but Jaxon Potter showed a spark, throwing for 329 yards on 23-of-44 passing with three interceptions in a loss to Marshall. Receiver Josh Rodriguez hauled in nine catches for 143 yards. With only two league games left, the Monarchs are just playing for the future. A spoiler role can still be fun, though.
14. UL-Monroe
Record: 1-7, 1-3
Last week: Lost to Southern Miss 35-21
This week: at Arkansas State, 2 p.m. ESPN+
Extra points: The Warhawks ended a 15-game losing streak to Arkansas State with a 28-16 win last season. After winning at Troy for its first win of the season, UL-Monroe actually outgained Southern Miss 379-359 last week. Quarterback Aidan Armenta threw for 202 yards and two touchdowns in that game. Eight different players ran the ball for the Warhawks.
PREDICTION
UL 24, South Alabama 20
This is another scary one for the Cajuns. In the last four years, the road team has won every game. The South Alabama defense is third in the Sun Belt against the run and last against the pass. Of late, Lunch Winfield has been less efficient throwing the ball for UL while depending more on big plays. He’s going to need a huge game. Offensively, the Jaguars have the top rushing offense at 232 yards a game, and UL was manhandled on the line of scrimmage by Southern Miss two weeks ago. Coach Michael Desormeaux said South Alabama has the best Sun Belt offensive line he’s seen so far.
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