The finish line is getting closer in the Sun Belt Conference.
The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs are close to wrapping up the West race, while Georgia Southern has gained momentum in the East with a one game lead over James Madison.
The next level of importance is bowl eligibility for programs no longer in contention to reach the Sun Belt championship game. UL achieved that last week with a win over South Alabama. Interestingly enough, Georgia Southern is in first place in the East race (4-1) but still hasn’t gained bowl eligibility at 5-4 overall.
The East battle between Appalachian State and Marshall this week will get one team bowl eligible as both teams are 5-4 overall and 2-3 in league play.
While Georgia Southern has bigger aspirations in mind, both the Eagles and Georgia State are 5-4 ahead of their matchup.
The West Division battle between Troy and South Alabama is also critical for bowl eligibility with both teams 4-5 overall.
Unless a team catches fire, it looks like eight is the maximum number of bowl-eligible teams the Sun Belt can achieve.
1. Louisiana Tech
Record: 7-2, 5-0 Sun Belt
Last week: Defeated Troy 41-17
This week: vs. Southern Miss, 4 p.m. ESPN+
Extra points: The win over Troy wasn’t one of Tech’s best offensive performances. The defense was the driving force, recovering four fumbles, intercepting a pass and limiting Troy to 47 yards rushing. All that matters for the Bulldogs is they keep winning. They basically have a three-game lead on the field in the West because of tiebreakers.
2. James Madison
Record: 8-2, 5-2
Last week: Defeated Southern Miss 54-23
This week: at Connecticut, 11 a.m. CBS Network
Extra points: After a two-interception game in the Dukes’ home loss to Troy, they reversed the roles of their two-quarterback system with the athletic JC Evans taking the lead role over pocket passer Camden Coleman. Evans was 19-of-26 passing for 251 yards and a score, in addition to rushing for 47 yards and three touchdowns. JMU also shut down the surging Southern Miss rushing attack to the tune of 88 yards and also collected four sacks.
3. Georgia Southern
Record: 5-4, 4-1
Last week: Defeated Marshall 49-13
This week: at Georgia State, 2:30 p.m. ESPN+
Extra points: The No. 2 spot in these rankings is a tricky deal at this point. On one hand, Georgia Southern is alone in first place in the standings. On the other, the Eagles have three fewer wins than James Madison and also lost to the Dukes. If the Eagles can win their final three games, they’re likely to leap up to the No. 1 spot. For now, they still have a lot to prove.
4. UL
Record: 6-3, 3-2
Last week: Defeated South Alabama 28-26
This week: at UL-Monroe, 8 p.m. Thursday ESPN2
Extra points: The Cajuns have responded to every disappointing performance with a win. Now comes the chore of handling a short week after a physical game against South Alabama. The passing game remains a question mark and Cajuns lost another running back last week. If JJ Garner is as good as he’s looked over the last six weeks, maybe giving him more carries could be a blessing.
5. Georgia State
Record: 5-4, 2-3
Last week: Defeated Appalachian State 39-23
This week: vs. Georgia Southern, 2:30 p.m ESPN+
Extra points: Perhaps it was too early to dismiss Georgia State’s early-season run. The Panthers bounced back with a convincing 39-23 win over App State to heighten their chances at bowl eligibility. Last week’s win came with backup quarterback Ayden Pereira playing. He was only 10-of-17 passing for 115 yards, but he threw for three touchdowns. Georgia State limited the Mountaineers to 59 yards rushing and dominated the time of possession.
6. South Alabama
Record: 4-5, 2-3
This week: Lost at UL 28-26
Next week: vs. Troy, 6 p.m. ESPN+
Extra points: The Jaguars have lost two straight games to Louisiana Tech and UL, but they didn’t look bad at all in doing so. If not for a late-game interception by UL linebacker Micah Johnson, all signs pointed to a game-winning South Alabama field goal in the final minute. South Alabama was hurt by nine penalties for 65 yards and giving up 312 yards rushing to the Cajuns, but Troy’s running game doesn’t appear that potent. Running the table looks realistic for the Jaguars if they stay away from the flags and turnovers.
7. Appalachian State
Record: 5-4, 2-3
Last week: Lost to Georgia State 39-23
This week: at Marshall, 5 p.m. ESPN+
Extra points: There’s no more giving the Mountaineers the benefit of the doubt. They have a few really good wins, but the losses are bad. They got dominated on the line of scrimmage with Georgia State winning the time of possession battle 37:14-22:41. The Panthers led the Mountaineers comfortably throughout the game with their backup quarterback.
8. Marshall
Record: 5-4, 2-3
Last week: Lost at Georgia Southern 49-13
This week: vs. Appalachian State, 5 p.m. ESPN+
Extra points: Every time it appears the Thundering Herd might have figured something out, they post a dud. Marshall trailed 42-7 early in the fourth quarter against Georgia Southern. First downs and time of possession were even, but the offense gave up a 24-yard interception return and Georgia Southern quarterback Max Johnson threw four touchdown passes, including long ones from 70 and 45 yards. The good news is Marshall is one win away from bowl eligibility.
9. Troy
Record: 4-5, 2-3
Last game: Lost to Louisiana Tech 41-17
Next game: at South Alabama, 6 p.m. ESPN+
Extra points: The Trojans trailed only 20-17 in the third quarter against Louisiana Tech, but five turnovers were too much to overcome against the Bulldogs. The Trojans are going to need an inspired effort — like the flourish at James Madison a few weeks ago — to even get bowl eligible. With backup quarterback Tucker Kilcrease playing again last week, the Trojans were only 3 of 15 on third down and ran for only 47 yards.
10. Arkansas State
Record: 4-5, 2-3
Last week: Lost to UL-Monroe 19-17
This week: at Coastal Carolina, noon ESPN+
Extra points: Arkansas State fans must be leaving games wondering what just happened. First, the Red Wolves lost a wild 56-49 game at South Alabama, then lost a 19-17 decision to UL-Monroe last Saturday. Quarterback Trey Owens threw for 193 yards and ran for 67 more in that game. Coastal Carolina has been struggling of late as well, so Arkansas State better win this one in its pursuit of bowl eligibility.
11. Southern Miss
Record: 3-6, 2-3
Last week: Lost to James Madison 54-23
This week: at Louisiana Tech, 4 p.m. ESPN+
Extra points: The Golden Eagles have made a ton of progress this season, especially since a 55-34 loss at Troy on Oct. 6. The first sign was holding Arkansas State to 305 total yards in a 23-13 loss, then the Eagles defeated UL and UL-Monroe. Perhaps the Eagles were simply at the wrong place at the wrong time last week, having to play James Madison coming off a two-game losing streak. The schedule doesn’t get any easier at West leader Louisiana Tech on Saturday.
12. Old Dominion
Record: 3-7, 2-5
Last week: Defeated Coastal Carolina 21-8
This week: Open date
Extra points: Two of the more surprising Sun Belt scores this season came from the Monarchs, who won at Appalachian State in a rainstorm earlier this season before forcing six turnovers and winning at Coastal by two touchdowns. Both quarterbacks played and neither one posted glittering numbers for the Monarchs. Jaxon Potter threw for 150 yards and a score, and Quinn Henicle was 4 for 4 for 45 yards. The Monarchs limited Coastal to 20 yards rushing. With only two games left, bowl eligibility is out of the picture.
13. UL-Monroe
Record: 2-7, 2-3
Last week: Defeated Arkansas State 19-17
This week: vs. UL, 8 p.m. ESPN2
Extra points: Warhawks coach Bryant Vincent never talked like a coach who had any quit in him, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that the Warhawks have won two of three games. Abram Murray’s 40-yard field goal with 1:49 left earned the road win over Arkansas State. Quarterback Austin Carlisle ran for 111 yards on 19 carries. Defensively, the Warhawks limited the Red Wolves to 120 yards rushing. UL-Monroe hopes to carry that momentum into Thursday’s home game against the Cajuns.
14. Coastal Carolina
Record: 3-6, 2-3
Last week: Lost to Old Dominion 21-8
This week: vs. Arkansas State, noon ESPN+
Extra points: Coastal threw four interceptions on Saturday, including three by starting quarterback Deuce Bailey. The Chanticleers also fumbled twice, so the Monarchs enjoyed a plus-five turnover day. It made for an ugly game and an ugly loss for Coastal, who posted only 263 total yards while giving up 264 to the Monarchs, who had a four-minute edge in time of possession. Coastal fans aren’t making bowl plans with trips to UL and James Madison to finish out the season after facing the Red Wolves.
PREDICTION
UL 24, UL-Monroe 17
The Warhawks have struggled in recent years, but not in recent weeks. They almost always play UL tough. They were on a long losing streak last year too and outplayed the Cajuns for most of the game in Lafayette before falling 30-27 in overtime. This time, UL-Monroe has won two of three. The Cajuns offensive line pushed around South Alabama. If the unit can do that again, UL might avoid drama. Both teams had a 100-yard rusher last week and both passing games are roller-coaster rides. Typically, Thursday games tend to favor the home team, so it’s going to require a gutsy effort from the Cajuns.
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