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]
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 .
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 [ edit ]
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
First Team Offense
QB
Grayson McCall
Coastal Carolina
RB
La'Damian Webb
South Alabama
RB
Frank Gore Jr.
Southern Miss
OL
Isaiah Helms
Appalachian State
OL
Khalil Crowder
Georgia Southern
OL
Travis Glover
Georgia State
OL
Nick Kidwell
James Madison
OL
Logan Osburn
Marshall
TE
Neal Johnson
Louisiana
WR
Jared Brown
Coastal Carolina
WR
Sam Pinckney
Coastal Carolina
WR
Khaleb Hood
Georgia Southern
First Team Defense
DL
James Carpenter
James Madison
DL
Owen Porter
Marshall
DL
TJ Jackson
Troy
DL
Richard Jibunor
Troy
LB
JT Killen
Coastal Carolina
LB
Marques Watson-Trent
Georgia Southern
LB
Eli Neal
Marshall
LB
Jason Henderson
Old Dominion
DB
Micah Abraham
Marshall
DB
Yam Banks
South Alabama
DB
Jay Stanley
South Alabama
DB
Reddy Steward
Troy
First Team Special Teams
K
Dominic Zvada
Arkansas State
P
Ryan Hanson
James Madison
RS
Milan Tucker
Appalachian State
AP
Frank Gore Jr.
Southern Miss
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
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] On December 7, 2022, Texas State announced 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]
On November 26, Louisiana–Monroe announced that it had fired head coach Terry Bowden after 3 seasons with the team.[ 6] On December 5, the school announced that former 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] Assistant head coach and offensive line coach 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] Chesney had previously been head coach at 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] The school's defensive coordinator Greg Gasparato was named the interim head coach. On December 18, Troy announced Gerad Parker as the new head coach for 2024.[ 11] Parker was previously the offensive coordinator at Notre Dame .
Pre
Wk 1
Wk 2
Wk 3
Wk 4
Wk 5
Wk 6
Wk 7
Wk 8
Wk 9
Wk 10
Wk 11
Wk 12
Wk 13
Wk 14
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
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
Date
Time
Visiting team
Home team
Site
TV
Result
Attendance
Ref.
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 .
Date
Time
Visiting team
Home team
Site
TV
Result
Attendance
Ref.
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 • Tallahassee, Florida
ACCN
L 13–66
74,467
# Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time .
Date
Time
Visiting team
Home team
Site
TV
Result
Attendance
Ref.
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 .
Date
Time
Visiting team
Home team
Site
TV
Result
Attendance
Ref.
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 .
Date
Time
Visiting team
Home team
Site
TV
Result
Attendance
Ref.
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 .
Date
Time
Visiting team
Home team
Site
TV
Result
Attendance
Ref.
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 .
Date
Time
Visiting team
Home team
Site
TV
Result
Attendance
Ref.
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 .
Date
Time
Visiting team
Home team
Site
TV
Result
Attendance
Ref.
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 .
Date
Time
Visiting team
Home team
Site
TV
Result
Attendance
Ref.
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 .
Date
Time
Visiting team
Home team
Site
TV
Result
Attendance
Ref.
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 .
Date
Time
Visiting team
Home team
Site
TV
Result
Attendance
Ref.
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 .
Date
Time
Visiting team
Home team
Site
TV
Result
Attendance
Ref.
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 .
Date
Time
Visiting team
Home team
Site
TV
Result
Attendance
Ref.
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 .
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 21–41
8,059
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 13–9
11,121
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 17–35
11,215
Birmingham Bowl
December 23
Protective Stadium • Birmingham, AL
ABC
11:00 a.m.
Troy
Duke
L 10–17
20,023
Camellia Bowl
December 23
Cramton Bowl • Montgomery, AL
ESPN
11:00 a.m.
Arkansas State
Northern Illinois
L 19–21
11,310
Armed Forces Bowl
December 23
Amon G. Carter Stadium • Fort Worth, TX
ABC
2:30 p.m.
James Madison
Air Force
L 21–31
30,828
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
December 23
Albertsons Stadium • Boise, ID
ESPN
2:30 p.m.
Georgia State
Utah State
W 45–22
12,168
68 Ventures Bowl
December 23
Hancock Whitney Stadium • Mobile, AL
ESPN
6:00 p.m.
South Alabama
Eastern Michigan
W 59–10
20,926
Hawaii Bowl
December 23
Clarence T. C. Ching Athletics Complex • Honolulu, HI
ESPN
9:30 p.m.
Coastal Carolina
San Jose State
W 24–14
7,089
First Responder Bowl
December 26
Gerald J. Ford Stadium • University Park, TX
ESPN
4:30 p.m.
Texas State
Rice
W 45–21
26,542
Rankings are from Final CFP rankings. All times Central Time Zone.
Bowl eligible (12): Appalachian State, Arkansas State, Coastal Carolina, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, James Madison,[ b] Louisiana, Marshall, Old Dominion, South Alabama, Texas State, Troy
Bowl ineligible (2): Louisiana–Monroe, Southern Miss
Sun Belt records vs other conferences [ edit ]
2023–2024 records against non-conference foes:
Sun Belt vs Power 5 matchups [ edit ]
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 13–27
September 2
ACC
Old Dominion
Virginia Tech
Lane Stadium • Blacksburg, VA
L 17–36
September 2
Big 12
Arkansas State
No. 20 Oklahoma
Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium • Norman, OK
L 0–73
September 2
Big 12
Texas State
Baylor
McLane Stadium • Waco, TX
W 42–31
September 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 36–35
September 9
ACC
Southern Miss
No. 4 Florida State
Doak Campbell Stadium • Tallahassee, FL
L 13–66
September 9
Big 12
Troy
No. 15 Kansas State
Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium • Manhattan, KS
L 13–42
September 16
Big Ten
Georgia Southern
Wisconsin
Camp Randall Stadium • Madison, WI
L 14–35
September 16
ACC
Wake Forest
Old Dominion
S.B. Ballard Stadium • Norfolk, VA
L 24–27
September 16
SEC
Louisiana–Monroe
Texas A&M
Kyle Field • College Station, TX
L 3–47
September 16
Big 12
South Alabama
Oklahoma State
Boone Pickens Stadium • Stillwater, OK
W 33–7
September 23
ACC
Virginia Tech
Marshall
Joan C. Edwards Stadium • Huntington, WV
W 24–17
September 30
Big Ten
Louisiana
Minnesota
Huntington Bank Stadium • Minneapolis, MN
L 24–35
October 7
ACC
Marshall
NC State
Carter–Finley Stadium • Raleigh, NC
L 41–48
November 18
SEC
Georgia State
No. 15 LSU
Tiger Stadium • Baton Rouge, LA
L 14–56
November 18
SEC
Louisiana–Monroe
No. 13 Ole Miss
Vaught–Hemingway Stadium • Oxford, MS
L 3–35
November 18
SEC
Southern Miss
Mississippi State
Davis Wade Stadium • Starkville, MS
L 20–41
Sun Belt vs Group of Five matchups [ edit ]
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 17–37
September 9
C-USA
Jacksonville State
Coastal Carolina
Brooks Stadium • Conway, SC
W 30–16
September 9
American
UAB
Georgia Southern
Paulson Stadium • Statesboro, GA
W 49–35
September 9
American
Marshall
East Carolina
Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium • Greenville, NC
W 31–13
September 9
American
Memphis
Arkansas State
Centennial Bank Stadium • Jonesboro, AR
L 3–37
September 9
American
Texas State
UTSA
Alamodome • San Antonio, TX
L 13–20
September 16
American
East Carolina
Appalachian State
Kidd Brewer Stadium • Boone, NC
W 43–28
September 16
American
Georgia State
Charlotte
Jerry Richardson Stadium • Charlotte, NC
W 41–25
September 16
American
Louisiana
UAB
Protective Stadium • Birmingham, AL
W 41–21
September 16
American
Tulane
Southern Miss
M. M. Roberts Stadium • Hattiesburg, MS
L 3–21
September 23
Mountain West
Appalachian State
Wyoming
War Memorial Stadium • Laramie, WY
L 19–22
September 23
MAC
Georgia Southern
Ball State
Scheumann Stadium • Muncie, IN
W 40–3
September 23
Mountain West
James Madison
Utah State
Maverik Stadium • Logan, UT
W 45–38
September 23
MAC
Buffalo
Louisiana
Cajun Field • Lafayette, LA
W 45–38
September 23
MAC
Central Michigan
South Alabama
Hancock Whitney Stadium • Mobile, AL
L 30–34
September 23
Mountain West
Nevada
Texas State
Bobcat Stadium • San Marcos, TX
W 35–24
September 23
C-USA
Western Kentucky
Troy
Veterans Memorial Stadium • Troy, AL
W 27–24
November 11
C-USA
Old Dominion
Liberty
Williams Stadium • Lynchburg, VA
L 10–38
Sun Belt vs FBS independents matchups [ edit ]
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 17–13
September 9
UConn
Georgia State
Center Parc Stadium • Atlanta, GA
W 35–14
September 30
Arkansas State
UMass
Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium • Hadley, MA
W 52–28
October 14
Troy
Army
Michie Stadium • West Point, NY
W 19–0
November 11
UConn
James Madison
Bridgeforth Stadium • Harrisonburg, VA
W 44–6
November 18
Coastal Carolina
Army
Michie Stadium • West Point, NY
L 21–28
Sun Belt vs FCS matchups [ edit ]
Date
Visitor
Home
Site
Score
August 31
Rhode Island
Georgia State
Center Parc Stadium • Atlanta, GA
W 42–35
September 2
Gardner-Webb
Appalachian State
Kidd Brewer Stadium • Boone, NC
W 45–24
September 2
The Citadel
Georgia Southern
Paulson Stadium • Statesboro, GA
W 34–0
September 2
Bucknell
James Madison
Bridgeforth Stadium • Harrisonburg, VA
W 38–3
September 2
Albany
Marshall
Joan C. Edwards Stadium • Huntington, WV
W 21–17
September 2
Northwestern State
Louisiana
Cajun Field • Lafayette, LA
W 38–13
September 2
Alcorn State
Southern Miss
M. M. Roberts Stadium • Hattiesburg, MS
W 40–14
September 2
Stephen F. Austin
Troy
Veterans Memorial Stadium • Troy, AL
W 48–30
September 9
Lamar
Louisiana–Monroe
Malone Stadium • Monroe, LA
W 24–14
September 9
Southeastern Louisiana
South Alabama
Hancock Whitney Stadium • Mobile, AL
W 35–17
September 16
Duquesne
Coastal Carolina
Brooks Stadium • Conway, SC
W 66–7
September 16
Stony Brook
Arkansas State
Centennial Bank Stadium • Jonesboro, AR
W 31–7
September 16
Jackson State
Texas State
Bobcat Stadium • San Marcos, TX
W 77–34
September 23
Texas A&M-Commerce
Old Dominion
S.B. Ballard Stadium • Norfolk, VA
W 10–9
Home game attendance [ edit ]
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
†Season High
Player of the week honors [ edit ]
Sun Belt individual awards [ edit ]
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 [ edit ]
The following players were selected as part of the Sun Belt's All-Conference Teams.[ 25]
Position
Player
Team
First Team Offense
WR
Reggie Brown
James Madison
WR
Elijah Sarratt
James Madison
WR
Caullin Lacy
South Alabama
OL
Isaiah Helms
Appalachian State
OL
Bucky Williams
Appalachian State
OL
Jacob Bayer
Arkansas State
OL
Khalil Crowder
Georgia Southern
OL
Travis Glover
Georgia State
TE
Zach Horton
James Madison
QB
Jordan McCloud
James Madison
RB
Marcus Carroll
Georgia State
RB
Kimani Vidal
Troy
First Team Defense
DL
Jalen Green
James Madison
DL
Jamree Kromah
James Madison
DL
Owen Porter
Marshall
DL
Richard Jibunor
Troy
DL
Javon Solomon
Troy
LB
Andrew Parker Jr.
Appalachian State
LB
Marques Watson-Trent
Georgia Southern
LB
Jason Henderson
Old Dominion
DB
Tyrek Funderburk
Appalachian State
DB
Micah Abraham
Marshall
DB
Jaden Voisin
South Alabama
DB
Reddy Steward
Troy
First Team Specialists
K
Mason Shipley
Texas State
P
William Przystup
Arkansas State
RS
Jayden Harrison
Marshall
AP
Ismail Mahdi
Texas State
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
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 , USAT
AP
Ismail Mahdi
Texas State
FWAA
Position
Player
School
Selector
Unanimous
Consensus
Third Team All-Americans
RB
Kimani Vidal
Troy
AP
The NFL draft will be held at Campus Martius Park in Detroit . The following list includes all Sun Belt players in the draft.
^ James Madison was ineligible to participate in the conference championship game due to FCS-to-FBS transition rules.[ 26]
^ Due to a lack of bowl eligible teams, James Madison was deemed bowl eligible despite its two-year postseason ban during its transition from FCS to FBS.
^ a b "Sun Belt Announces 2023 Football Schedule" . sunbeltsports.org . Sun Belt Conference. February 24, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2023 .
^ "Sun Belt Announces Football Preseason Awards & Poll" . Sunbeltsports.org . Sun Belt Conference. July 24, 2023. Retrieved July 27, 2023 .
^ Rittenburg, Adam (November 27, 2022). "Texas State fires football coach Jake Spavital after 4 years" . ESPN . Retrieved March 12, 2023 .
^ "Welcome G.J. Kinne" . txst.com . Texas State University. December 7, 2022. Retrieved March 12, 2023 .
^ Thamel, Pete (December 4, 2022). "Coastal Carolina hires NC State OC Tim Beck as coach" . ESPN . Retrieved December 15, 2022 .
^ "ULM to Seek New Leadership for Football Program" . ulmwarhawks.com . University of Louisiana Monroe Athletics. November 26, 2023. Retrieved November 26, 2023 .
^ "Bryant Vincent Named ULM Head Football Coach" . ulmwarhawks.com . University of Louisiana Monroe Athletics. December 5, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023 .
^ "Cignetti Named 30th Head Football Coach at Indiana University" (Press release). Indiana Hoosiers. November 30, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023 .
^ "Bob Chesney Selected to Lead JMU Football as New Head Coach" . jmusports.com . James Madison University Athletics. December 7, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2023 .
^ "Tulane hires Troy's Jon Sumrall on 6-year deal, sources say" . ESPN . December 8, 2023. Retrieved December 8, 2023 .
^ "Troy Hires Notre Dame OC Gerad Parker as head coach" . ESPN . December 18, 2023. Retrieved December 18, 2023 .
^ "Texas State's Finley, Coastal Carolina's Isbell & Southern Miss' Stein Earn Sun Belt Football Weekly Accolades" . sunbeltsports.org . Sun Belt Conference. September 4, 2023. Retrieved September 4, 2023 .
^ "Georgia Southern's Brin, Old Dominion's Henderson & James Madison's Fisher Claim Sun Belt Football Weekly Honors" . sunbeltsports.org . Sun Belt Conference. September 11, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2023 .
^ "Georgia State's Grainger, Old Dominion's James & James Madison's Wise Earn Sun Belt Football Weekly Awards" . sunbeltsports.org . Sun Belt Conference. September 18, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2023 .
^ "Marshall's Ali, Texas State's Holloway & Arkansas State's Zvada Claim Sun Belt Football Weekly Accolades" . sunbeltsports.org . Sun Belt Conference. September 25, 2023. Retrieved September 25, 2023 .
^ "Arkansas State's Raynor, Georgia Southern's Watson-Trent & App State's Hughes Earn Sun Belt Football Weekly Honors" . sunbeltsports.org . Sun Belt Conference. October 2, 2023. Retrieved October 2, 2023 .
^ "Troy's Vidal, Old Dominion's Henderson & Louisiana's Cambre Secure Sun Belt Football Weekly Awards" . sunbeltsports.org . Sun Belt Conference. October 9, 2023. Retrieved October 9, 2023 .
^ "Coastal Carolina's McCall, Troy's Jibunor & Troy's Renfroe Earn Sun Belt Football Weekly Accolades" . sunbeltsports.org . Sun Belt Conference. October 16, 2023. Retrieved October 16, 2023 .
^ "Georgia Southern's White, James Madison's Green & James Madison's Hanson Claim Sun Belt Football Weekly Honors" . sunbeltsports.org . Sun Belt Conference. October 23, 2023. Retrieved October 23, 2023 .
^ "Troy's Watson, Louisiana's Whitfield & Georgia Southern's Lantz Earn Sun Belt Football Weekly Awards" . sunbeltsports.org . Sun Belt Conference. October 30, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023 .
^ "James Madison's McCloud, Old Dominion's Henderson & Arkansas State's Zvada Claim Sun Belt Football Weekly Accolades" . sunbeltsports.org . Sun Belt Conference. November 6, 2023. Retrieved November 6, 2023 .
^ "James Madison's McCloud, Troy's Solomon & Marshall's Harrison Claim Sun Belt Football Weekly Honors" . sunbeltsports.org . Sun Belt Conference. November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023 .
^ "Arkansas State's Cross & App State's Johnson Earn Sun Belt Football Weekly Accolades" . sunbeltsports.org . Sun Belt Conference. November 20, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2023 .
^ "James Madison's McCloud, App State's Funderburk & Texas State's Wilson Secure Final Sun Belt Football Weekly Awards" . sunbeltsports.org . Sun Belt Conference. November 27, 2023. Retrieved November 27, 2023 .
^ a b "Sun Belt Announces 2023 Football Postseason Awards & All-Conference Teams" . sunbeltsports.org . Sun Belt Conference. November 30, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023 .
^ Frankenberry, Jami (October 19, 2023). "Unbeaten JMU leads Sun Belt, but despite pleas NCAA rules keep Dukes from a bowl, conference title game" . The Virginian-Pilot . Retrieved November 27, 2023 .
Conference seasons Inter-conference All-Americans
East Division West Division Championships & awards Seasons