2022 College Football Futures | Sun Belt

Welcome to another edition of our conference preview series. Ryan Boyles and I will share our conference previews along with win totals for every team. Today we are going to look at the Sun Belt Conference and I’ll tell you what I see for each team that hopefully can make you some money. 

 

A quick reminder for our readers: these odds are on DraftKings Sportsbook. The lines from DraftKings may vary depending on when you read these articles.

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East Division:

Appalachian State Mountaineers (8.5 Wins) Over

The kings of the East Division once again should compete for a chance to win the Sun Belt Conference. The Mountaineers do however have a loaded non-conference schedule that includes two power five teams in Texas A&M and North Carolina. I like App State to upset the Tarheels at home and reach at least nine wins and cash the over. The last key component to the over is not facing their kryptonite in the Sun Belt conference Louisiana, which will be crucial in securing another bid to the conference title game. 

Key Games: vs North Carolina, at Texas A&M, at Coastal Carolina, at Marshall 

Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (8 Wins): Over 

All-Conference quarterback Grayson Mccall returns for his junior season. His return should help propel the Chanticleer offense to not skip a beat. Their schedule offers an opportunity to reach nine wins and cash the over. There is also a great chance that Coastal can run the table early because they will be the favorite in every game until the road game at Marshall. I like Coastal to hit nine wins but at worst at least reach eight which means the value at even money is on the over.

Key Games: vs Army, At Georgia State, vs App State, at Virginia 

Marshall Thundering Herd (7 Wins): Push/Under

Marshall makes their conference debut in the Sun Belt. I think they are in for a rude awakening facing quality opponents in App State, Louisiana, and Coastal Carolina. Their non-conference schedule also includes a “buy game” on the road against Notre Dame. The value at plus 135 for the under seven is the play. I do believe they will end up pushing the seven-win total but I have a hard time believing they win more games than last year in a harder conference. 

Key Games: At Notre Dame, vs Louisiana, vs App State, vs Coastal Carolina 

Georgia State Panthers (7 Wins): Under

I believe the Panthers will take a step back from a year ago. Their schedule also gives them no favors in warming up to the 2022 season. Opening up games against the Carolinas in North Carolina and South Carolina. They also have daunting road trips to Army, App State, and Marshall. This team is screaming under, a play where I see myself having multiple units on. Georgia State's triple option threat option is great in theory but in the Sun Belt is counterproductive when you are facing high-powered offenses in Coastal, App State, and Marshall. 

Key Games: At South Carolina, vs North Carolina, At Army, At App State

James Madison Dukes (6 Wins): Under

FCS powerhouse James Madison makes it a valiant step-up into the division one ranks. The transition must take time, and it's safe to say they must go through their fair share of growing pains. The schedule is somewhat light as it should be. Playing Sun Belt teams on the road is a whole different story, however. I see James Madison winning at most five games, but give them time and they will compete at a high level soon. 

Key Games: At App State, At Louisville, vs Georgia State, vs Coastal Carolina 

Old Dominion Monarchs (4.5 Wins): Under

It is not easy recruiting in Virginia as a mid-major team. The Monarchs like Marshall make their transition from Conference-USA to the Sun Belt. Like I said above that transition is harder and will result in a brutal 2022 campaign. There is a great chance the Monarchs only have one win by mid-October and I don’t think they have the talent to overcome a slow start. The under 4.5 Wins I think is a great play and I will be putting several units on it. 

Key Games: vs Virginia Tech, At Virginia vs James Madison, At South Alabama

Georgia Southern Eagles (4 Wins): Under

Georgia Southern is in for another long season. The Eagles will continue their struggles with the turnover margin this season. I would be surprised if the Eagles win any games away from home in 2022. I think the under four wins is the best play. I think they are the worst team in the entire Sun Belt conference therefore under four is a lock for me.

Key Games: At Nebraska, At Coastal Carolina, At Louisiana, vs App State

West Division: 

Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (8.5 Wins): Over

Louisiana has built a recent dynasty in the Sun Belt conference. They consistently have been competing for conference titles and seeing their names pop up in the AP Poll. Losing head coach Billy Napier will definitely hurt but I think the foundation is still there. This year's schedule also is very lackluster with them avoiding App State and Coastal Carolina. I love the over 8.5 wins despite the juiced odds. I will be hammering it with maybe a sprinkle of alternate over nine wins. The Ragin’ Cajuns will remain supreme in the Sun Belt. 

Key Games: At Marshall, At Southern Miss, At Florida State, At Texas State

Troy Trojans (6 Wins:) Over

I love what Troy is building in their program. The Trojans will be the biggest challenger to Louisiana in the West Division. I love the over-six win total because I think they will beat every Sun Belt team not named Louisiana in the West Division. Remember when Troy went into Baton Rouge and upset LSU a few years ago, well this year's team will be a step towards that success. Trojans will shock some people this year and will put some green into your pockets. 

Key Games: At Ole Miss, At App State, At Louisiana, vs Army

South Alabama Jaguars (5.5 Wins): Under

South Alabama will just miss out on a bowl game in 2022. The win total at 5.5 is a great line by Vegas. This Jaguar team is the definition of average. They will lose to teams that are better than them and beat teams they are supposed to win. Analyzing their schedule I see a 5-7 record. I wouldn’t personally throw a lot on this win total. If you read above I feel better about other Sun Belt teams. 

Key Games: At UCLA, At Louisiana, vs Troy, At Southern Miss

Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles (5.5 Wins): Under

Given the complexion of the Golden Eagles squad, they have a brutal schedule for the 2022 season. Southern Miss just doesn’t have the offensive firepower to compete at a high level in the Sun Belt conference. Road Tests at Miami, Tulane, Troy, and Coastal Carolina are too daunting to imagine this team winning six games. I love the under-win total despite the -130 odds, it's a great play if you are looking for a sure winner. 

Key Games: vs Liberty, At Miami, At Troy, vs Louisiana 

Arkansas State Red Wolves (5 Wins): Over

One of the lower-tier teams in the West Division has to go over their win total. Hello Arkansas State, the Red Wolves return a solid offensive group that is looking to turn the corner in the Sun Belt. I think over five wins is a great bet, but it's one you will have to sweat all year long. The first half of their schedule is absolutely brutal but opens up nicely in the second half.

Key Games: At Ohio State, At Memphis, vs James Madison, At Louisiana

Texas State Bobcats (4.5 Wins): Under

The Bobcats are a mess in the Sun Belt. First, it’s impossible to recruit in San Marcos with all the quality schools in the state. The second two of their home games are against two conference favorites. This 4.5 win total is screaming under and presents great value with the under. Texas State will struggle all year to keep opposing defenses off the field, resulting in a frustrating 2022 campaign. 

Key Games: At Baylor, vs App State, At Troy, vs Louisiana

UL Monroe Warhawks AKA “Cover Machines” (2.5 Wins): Under

If you ask me if will they cover over 2.5 games I would say one hundred percent! That is not the case however, ULM is in complete rebuild mode and will struggle much of the year. They only have one game on their schedule that they will be favored in all year against Nicholls. ULM is in for another long year, but bet them against the spread all year and they will make you money.

Key Games: At Texas, At Alabama, vs Coastal Carolina, vs Texas State