Sun Belt Conference Odds: Can Troy and South Alabama Reach Double Digits in Wins Again?

Sun Belt Conference Somehow Remained Intact Even Through Conference Realignment Craziness

June 21, 2023 222 7 minutes readNCAAF Picks & Parlays

Sun Belt Conference Odds: Can Troy and South Alabama Reach Double Digits in Wins Again? — Photo taken from herald-dispatch.com

South Alabama and Troy Look To Build on Double-Digit Win Seasons

South Alabama and Troy Look to Build on Double-Digit Win Seasons

The Sun Belt race should feature some familiar names with South Alabama, Troy likely to be challenged by Marshall and Coastal Carolina according to the Sun Belt conference odds.

There will be plenty of new quarterbacks leading the offenses throughout the Sun Belt and that could change the landscape a bit and could shake up the NCAA football odds.

Arkansas State isn’t exactly coasting into the season with a game at Oklahoma in its season opener while Texas State will meet Baylor in Week 1 as well. Those are two of the NCAA football scores to keep tabs on when the 2023 season gets underway.

Here’s an early look at the Sun Belt breakdown.

South Alabama Golden Eagles

2022 Record: 10-3 (7-1 Sun Belt)
Odds to Win Sun Belt: +260
Odds to Win National Title: +100000
Expected Win Total: 8 (Over -110, Under -120)

Quarterback Carter Bradley and running back La’Damian Webb give the Jaguars some building blocks. Most of the defense returns while defensive back Keith Gallmon comes back after missing the 2022 football season. It is no wonder that the Sun Belt conference odds favor the Golden Eagles.

A tough non-conference schedule is a reason why the expected win total is a little on the low side.

Keep an eye on defensive back Wesley Miller and offensive tackle Lucas Taylor, who both transferred in from Mississippi State as well as Memphis receiver Javen Ivory and Memphis running back Kentrel Bullock for South Alabama.

Troy Trojans

2022 Record: 12-2 (7-1 Sun Belt)
Odds to Win Sun Belt: +320
Odds to Win National Title: +50000
Expected Win Total: 8 (Over -165, Under +135)

It was quite the season for Troy Trojans a season ago. It won’t be easy to replace linebacker Carlton Martial and receivers Tez Johnson and RaJae Johnson. However, expect Troy to be in contention for a Sun Belt title.

Memphis running back Asa Martin and Auburn offensive tackle Colby Smith are among the newcomers. The Sun Belt conference odds are looking for Troy to build on an impressive 2022 season.

Coastal Carolina Chanticleers

2022 Record: 9-4 (6-2 Sun Belt)
Odds to Win Sun Belt: +400
Odds to Win National Title: +50000
Expected Win Total: 8 (Over -110, Under -120)

Scoring points shouldn’t be an issue for first-year head coach Tim Beck with the return of quarterback Grayson McCall, receivers Sam Pinckney and Jared Brown as well as running backs Brayden Bennett and Reese White.

The defense will miss edge rusher Josaiah Stewart, who is now at Michigan. Seventeen freshmen or sophomores had tackles a season ago so that should help make the Chanticleers harder to play against.

Coastal Carolina added Notre Dame tight end Cane Berrong, Northwestern receiver Genson Hooper-Price, Wisconsin cornerback Avyonne Jones, Colorado tight end Zach Courtney, North Carolina tight end Kendall Karr, Rutgers tight end Matt Alaimo and Kansas quarterback Ethan Vasko.

Marshall Thundering Herd

2022 Record: 9-4 (5-3 Sun Belt)
Odds to Win Sun Belt: +800
Odds to Win National Title: +100000
Expected Win Total: 7 (Over -120, Under -110)

Marshall welcomes back running back Rasheen Ali. He was limited to three games last season after rushing for 1,401 yards and 23 touchdowns during the 2021 season. The offense will miss leading receiver Corey Gammage, but quarterback Cam Fancher came on strong at the end of 2022.

Most of the key players from one of the best defenses in the Sun Belt are gone so there is some work to do.

Florida State linebacker Stephen Dix, Florida defensive lineman Chris Thomas and TCU edge rusher Landyn Watson should help on defense. Offensive linemen Lloyd Willis (Florida State) and Altrique Barlow (TCU) are other key additions.

Appalachian State Mountaineers

2022 Record: 6-6 (3-5 Sun Belt)
Odds to Win Sun Belt: +800
Odds to Win National Title: +100000
Expected Win Total: 6.5 (Over -110, Under -120)

Linebackers Brendan Harrington and Andrew Parker and safety Nick Ross return to lead the defense. Running back Nate Noel will run behind a veteran offensive line.

Miami edge rusher Thomas Davis, Michigan State edge rusher Michael Fletcher, Georgia offensive lineman Griffin Scroggs, North Carolina State offensive lineman Thornton Gentry and Marshall cornerback EJ Jackson are all promising incoming transfers for the Appalachian St.

Louisiana Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns

2022 Record: 6-7 (4-4 Sun Belt)
Odds to Win Sun Belt: +1000
Odds to Win National Title: +100000
Expected Win Total: 6.5 (Over -160, Under +130)

The transfer portal was not kind to the Ragin’ Cajuns‘ defense and replacing top rusher Chris Smith will be a challenge. Still, there are expectations for a winning season for Louisiana Lafayette.

Eight of the 18 players who caught passes a season ago were either freshmen or sophomores.

Georgia Southern Eagles

2022 Record: 6-7 (3-5 Sun Belt)
Odds to Win Sun Belt: +1800
Odds to Win National Title: +100000
Expected Win Total: 6 (Over -110, Under -120)

After years of piling up the rushing yards in the option offense, Georgia Southern made the move to more of a pro-style offense under head coach Clay Helton.

Davis Brin comes in from Tulsa to take over at quarterback. Khaleb Hood and Derwin Burgess are back at receiver and so is running back Jalen White.

Washington safety Cameron Williams, Texas A&M linebacker Tarian Lee Jr., Illinois cornerback Prince Green and Memphis quarterback JC French are part of the incoming transfers.

Georgia State Panthers

2022 Record: 4-8 (3-5 Sun Belt)
Odds to Win Sun Belt: +2200
Odds to Win National Title: +100000
Expected Win Total: 5.5 (Over +130, Under -160)

Darren Grainger (2443 passing yards and 18 touchdown passes to go with a team-leading 742 rushing yards) returns at quarterback, but there are plenty of holes to plug at other spots on the offense. The defense does have some key returning players so perhaps that will translate into more success on the field.

Georgia State had the top-rated class of incoming transfers among Sun Belt teams. Kansas State edge rusher Ozzie Hoffler, Clemson edge rusher Kevin Swint, South Carolina offensive tackle Colin Henrich and Old Dominion receiver Peter Kikwata are among the transfers to keep an eye on.

Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles

2022 Record: 7-6 (4-4 Sun Belt)
Odds to Win Sun Belt: +2500
Odds to Win National Title: +100000
Expected Win Total: 5 (Over -105, Under -125)

Look for running back Frank Gore Jr. to get the ball early and often. Add in some experienced returnees on the offensive line and another winning season is a possibility.

The defense could be sound once again, especially with the addition of defensive backs MJ Daniels from Ole Miss and Dylan Lawrence from Mississippi State. Southern Miss led the conference with 109 tackles for loss.

Memphis running back Rodrigues Clark and Mississippi State offensive tackle Gabe Cavazod are transfers who could help on the other side of the ball.

James Madison Dukes

2022 Record: 8-3 (6-2 Sun Belt)
Odds to Win Sun Belt: N/A
Odds to Win National Title: N/A
Expected Win Total: 8 (Over -125, Under -105)

If the Dukes can replace quarterback Todd Centeio and top receiver Kris Thornton, this could be a special offense with the entire starting offensive line back along with running backs Latrele Palmer and Kaelon Black.

Indiana cornerback Trevell Mullen is among the incoming transfers.

Arkansas State Red Wolves

2022 Record: 3-9 (1-7 Sun Belt)
Odds to Win Sun Belt: +6000
Odds to Win National Title: +100000
Expected Win Total: 4.5 (Over -130, Under Even)

Corey Rucker is back at receiver, while the well-traveled JT Shrout could be the quarterback for Butch Jones’ team.

The Arkansas St defense had trouble stopping anybody and that needs to change.

Illinois receiver Khmari Thompson, Ole Miss offensive lineman Hamilton Hall, Northwestern linebacker Wendell Davis and Syracuse receiver Courtney Jackson have transferred in.

Texas State Bobcats

2022 Record: 4-8 (2-6 Sun Belt)
Odds to Win Sun Belt: +8000
Odds to Win National Title: +100000
Expected Win Total: 4.5 (Over +110, Under -140)

Texas State brought in quarterbacks Malik Hornsby and T.J. Finley from Arkansas and Auburn while there are some options at running back. The defense suffered heavy losses so that is a concern.

Texas State brought in nearly 40 transfers. Texas linebacker Derrick Brown, Auburn quarterback T.J. Finley, SMU tight end Simon Gonzalez, Duke defensive lineman Christian Rorie, Iowa State receiver Sean Shaw, offensive linemen Alex Harkey (Colorado), Brey Walker (Oklahoma), Marcus Alexander (Oklahoma) and Danny Valenzuela (Arizona State), Missouri cornerback Darius Jackson and Cincinnati receiver Drew Donley are among those worth keeping an eye on.

Old Dominion Monarchs

2022 Record: 3-9 (2-5 Sun Belt)
Odds to Win Sun Belt: +8000
Odds to Win National Title: +100000
Expected Win Total: 3.5 (Over -115, Under -115)

Jason Henderson is back to lead the defense. The offense needs to show plenty of improvement for the Monarchs to avoid another difficult season. Not much is being expected of this Old Dominion team with an expected-win total of 3.5.

The defense should benefit from the arrival of Duke linebacker Sayyid Stevens and North Carolina defensive lineman Jahlil Taylor.

Louisiana Monroe Warhawks

2022 Record: 4-8 (3-5 Sun Belt)
Odds to Win Sun Belt: +10000
Odds to Win National Title: +100000
Expected Win Total: 3.5 (Over +130, Under -160)

Losing quarterback Chandler Rogers to Texas State hurts for the Warhawks. Rogers not only threw for more than 2,400 yards, he was also the team’s second-leading rusher.

The additions of former Texas A&M edge rusher Donell Harris and Texas linebacker Trevell Johnson could help the defense.
Follow us on Twitter