Once again, Troy and South Alabama should be the Sun Belt Conference class. But who’s next up? Here’s a Sun Belt Conference betting preview for 2023.
Sun Belt Conference Betting Preview: One Bet for Every Sun Belt Conference Team
Appalachian State Mountaineers
2022 Record: 6-6
2023 Win Total: 6.5
2023 Conference Odds: +750
Impact Players: Thomas Davis, Edge (Transfer from Miami)
Appalachian State added substantial transfers from Power Five Conference schools in the offseason. Transfers from Miami, Syracuse, Georgia, and NC State look to bring a new load of talent to the Mountaineers. Avoiding games against conference favorites Troy and Alabama will help to get them there.
Bet: Appalachian State to win the Sun Belt Conference championship at +750.
Arkansas State Red Wolves
2022 Record: 3-9
2023 Win Total: 4.5
2023 Conference Odds: +6000
Impact Players: JT Shrout, QB (transfer from Colorado)
Next in the Sun Belt Conference betting preview is Arkansas State. Arkansas State’s schedule doesn’t line up nicely for them this season. They should be underdogs against Oklahoma, Memphis, Troy, Coastal Carolina, and South Alabama. Finding five wins on the rest of the schedule will be tough for the Red Wolves.
Bet: Arkansas State to go UNDER the 4.5 win total.
Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
2022 Record: 9-4
2023 Win Total: 8.5
2023 Conference Odds: +550
Impact Players: Grayson McCall, QB
Coastal Carolina will fly across the country in Week 1 for a big opener against the UCLA Bruins. Coastal Carolina is a tough team and should play well, but don’t bet on them to cover. UCLA has a top-25 roster and should take advantage of this opening home game to make a big statement.
Bet: UCLA -16.5 over Coastal Carolina in their Week 1 matchup.
Georgia Southern Eagles
2022 Record: 6-7
2023 Win Total: 6.5
2023 Conference Odds: +3000
Impact Players: Anthony Queeley, WR (transfer from Syracuse)
Georgia Southern’s schedule just isn’t that tough this year – the matchup against Wisconsin in Week 2 is the one that stands out. Past that, they should have the chance to be competitive against every team they play. Seven wins are reachable for this team.
Bet: Georgia Southern will go OVER the 6.5 win total.
Georgia State Panthers
2022 Record: 4-8
2023 Win Total: 5.5
2023 Conference Odds: +1800
Impact Players: Darren Grainger, QB
The Panthers have some tough contests on the roster. None of them is tougher than the November matchup against LSU. This could be a close one, but the Panthers can squeeze out six wins here. The first three contests against Rhode Island, UConn, and Charlotte should allow them to get halfway there by the end of September.
Bet: Georgia State will go OVER the 5.5 win total.
James Madison Dukes
2022 Record: 8-3
2023 Win Total: 7.5
Impact Players: Ty Son Lawton, RB
James Madison has some tough contests on the calendar for 2023. They will win games this season, but winning eight games is asking a lot for the Dukes. Games against Troy, South Alabama, and Virginia may be tough tests to start the season.
Bet: James Madison to go UNDER the 7.5 win total.
Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns
2022 Record: 6-7
2023 Win Total: 6.5
2023 Conference Odds: +1000
Impact Players: Ben Woodridge, QB
Louisiana has a brutal road schedule this season. Games at Troy, South Alabama, Minnesota, and UAB will be difficult contests to win. The 6.5 total is fair here, but the under is the way to go due to the tough tests.
Bet: Louisiana to go UNDER the 6.5 total.
Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks
2022 Record: 4-8
2023 Win Total: 3.5
2023 Conference Odds: +20000
Impact Players: Thad Franklin (transfer from Miami)
Louisiana-Monroe has a tough Week 1 hosting Army. The combination of being able to host the game and Army’s run-first approach should keep this game close throughout. Army should be victorious here, but expect Louisiana- Monroe to cover the spread.
Bet: Louisiana-Monroe to cover the +7.5 spread against Army in Week 1.
Marshall Thundering Herd
2022 Record: 9-4
2023 Win Total: 7.5
2023 Conference Odds: +800
Impact Players: TJ McMahon (transfer from Rice)
Marshall showed us last season that they could win big games. The win in September at Notre Dame was the biggest. In 2023, they have the roster and the schedule to make a Conference championship a possibility and a good value at +800. A few early non-conference tests against ECU and Virginia Tech should prime them for big Sun Belt wins.
Bet: Marshall to win the Sun Belt Conference.
Old Dominion Monarchs
2022 Record: 3-9
2023 Win Total: 3.5
2023 Conference Odds: +8000
Impact Players: Grant Wilson, QB
It’s tough to find win opportunities for the Monarchs this season. A quick review of the 2023 schedules shows three home games where they may come in as favorites. For the rest – wins are going to be hard to come by. Take the under here.
Bet: Old Dominion to go UNDER the 3.5 win total.
South Alabama Jaguars
2022 Record: 10-1
2023 Win Total: 8.5
2023 Conference Odds: +300
Impact Players: Carter Bradley, QB
Here comes the first of two significant favorites in the Sun Belt Conference. South Alabama starts the season with a tough test against Tulane in Week 1. This should be a fun tilt between two of the best non-Power Five conference teams. South Alabama may be able to keep it close. Tulane should cover the 7.5 spread at the end.
Bet: Tulane to COVER the -7.5 spread against South Alabama Week 1.
Southern Miss Golden Eagles
2022 Record: 7-6
2023 Win Total: 4.5
2023 Conference Odds: +2500
Impact Players: Latreal Jones, WR
Southern Miss only needs five wins to reach the over for this win total, and they should be able to do just that. Games against Mississippi State, Tulane, and Florida State make for a brutal out-of-conference schedule, but they should be able to overcome those challenges. Look for win opportunities against Lousiana-Monroe, Alcorn State, and Old Dominion to help them hit that total.
Bet: Southern Miss OVER the 4.5 win total.
Texas State Bobcats
2022 Record: 14-8
2023 Win Total: 4-5
2023 Conference Odds: +7000
Impact Players: Konner Fox, TE (transfer from Kansas State)
The Baylor Bears better be ready to play in Week 1 because Texas State will be looking for a big upset and a statement win early. The inter-state rivalry should be fun to watch. Look for Texas State to try to keep it close and keep it within three touchdowns by the end of the contest.
Bet: Texas State to COVER the +26.5 point total against Baylor in Week 1.
Troy Trojans
2022 Record: 12-2
2023 Win Total: 8.5
2023 Conference Odds: +320
Impact Players: Gunnar Watson, QB
Troy will be looking to repeat their 19-point winning performance in last year’s championship game in 2023. The biggest test on the way there will be the November 2nd game hosting South Alabama. A win against their divisional rival should cement Troy’s place in the conference championship game.
