The Sun Belt season is ... weird.
ULM is a major player, Old Dominion destroyed a good Georgia Southern team, Louisiana is strong, and like last year, too many teams will be bowl eligible.
This week doesn't have any great matchups, but ULM needs to prove it's that good at South Alabama, Arkansas State has to hit the slow pitch when Troy comes to town, and if James Madison is for real, it takes down Southern Miss with no problem.
Below are the predictions and quick previews for every game.
Sep 21, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; James Madison Dukes tight end Taylor Thompson (17) reacts with offensive lineman Joseph Simmons (79) after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium.
© Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Sun Belt Predictions: Week 9
- Week 9 Schedule, Predictions
Georgia Southern at Old Dominion
Line: Old Dominion -2, o/u: 5
Prediction: Georgia Southern 27, Old Dominion 26
Final Score: Old Dominion 47, Georgia Southern 19
Sun Belt Week 9 Picks
Georgia St at App St | Southern Miss at JMU
ULM at South Alabama | Troy at Arkansas St
Georgia State at Appalachian State
1:00 pm ET, ESPN+
Really? Georgia State (2-4) beat Vanderbilt? That's the only FBS win of the year for Panthers, by the way. It lost three straight since then, and now is in the midst of a brutally unfair run of five road games in six dates. But it gets to have fun with the miserable Appalachian State (2-4) defense in what should be a wild shootout. The Mountaineers will win at home, but it'll have to keep pushing for a full 60 minutes.
Georgia State at Appalachian State Prediction, Betting Lines
Line: Appalachian State -7, o/u: 60.5
Prediction: Appalachian State 37, Georgia State 31
Sun Belt Week 9 Picks
Georgia St at App St | Southern Miss at JMU
ULM at South Alabama | Troy at Arkansas St
Southern Miss at James Madison
3:30 pm ET, ESPN+
It's just not happening for Southern Miss (1-6). the defense can't seem to do anything well enough to pull off a season-changing win, but James Madison (5-2) is all of a sudden too flaky offensively. It lost two of its last three games, but both misfires were on the road. It get back in the Sun Belt race with an emphatic performance.
Southern Miss at James Madison Prediction, Betting Lines
Line: James Madison -24, o/u: 53.5
Prediction: James Madison 41, Southern Miss 13
Sun Belt Week 9 Picks
Georgia St at App St | Southern Miss at JMU
ULM at South Alabama | Troy at Arkansas St
ULM at South Alabama
5:00 pm ET, ESPN+
ULM (5-1) has been the biggest surprise of the college football season - yes, more than Indiana - but now it goes on the road for four of its next five games. South Alabama (3-4) is trying to get hot over the second half of the year, but the ULM defense will keep the score low long enough for the O to take over late.
ULM at South Alabama Prediction, Betting Lines
Line: South Alabama -7.5, o/u: 44.5
Prediction: ULM 23, South Alabama 21
Sun Belt Week 9 Picks
Georgia St at App St | Southern Miss at JMU
ULM at South Alabama | Troy at Arkansas St
Troy at Arkansas State
7:00 pm ET, ESPN+
Troy (1-6) is trying so far to break through in this miserable transition season, but it just can't get the offense to pop. Arkansas State (4-3) has been hit-or-miss, but it won't have any issue at home getting offense going early in a fairly stress-free win to stay in the Sun Belt race.
Troy at Arkansas State Prediction, Betting Lines
Line: Arkansas State -7.5, o/u: 50.5
Prediction: Arkansas State 30, Troy 17
Sun Belt Week 9 Picks
Georgia St at App St | Southern Miss at JMU
ULM at South Alabama | Troy at Arkansas St
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