The Sun Belt enters 2026 after a landmark season. James Madison won the conference, earned the league’s first College Football Playoff berth and now begins a new era under Billy Napier. Troy remains the favorite in the West, while Marshall, Old Dominion, Arkansas State and Louisiana give the league unusual depth at the top.
Louisiana Tech replaces Texas State in the West, adding another legitimate contender to a conference already known for close games and November chaos. Here is how Sportsvival ranks the Sun Belt entering the 2026 season.
1. James Madison Dukes
James Madison lost many of the stars from its 12-win championship team, but the program has earned the benefit of the doubt. Billy Napier inherits a strong rushing foundation led by George Pettaway, plus all-conference anchors Zach Greenberg and Amar Thomas.
Quarterback uncertainty keeps the race close, but the Dukes remain the East favorite.
2. Troy Trojans
Troy is the clear team to beat in the West after earning 12 of 14 first-place votes in the coaches poll. Quarterback Goose Crowder gives the offense stability, defensive end Donnie Smith is the league’s premier pass rusher and punter Evan Crenshaw can change field position.
The Trojans have only five returning starters, but their top-end talent is championship caliber.
3. Marshall Thundering Herd
Marshall owns the Sun Belt’s most proven quarterback in Carlos Del Rio-Wilson, who threw for 2,043 yards and ran for 660 more last season. An experienced offensive line and reliable targets Toby Payne and Adrian Norton should make the Herd dangerous every week.
If Tony Gibson produces a meaningful defensive improvement, Marshall can win the East.
4. Old Dominion Monarchs
Old Dominion is coming off a 10-win season and should again field one of the conference’s best defenses. Chris Forbes, Mario Easterly and Zion Frink give the Monarchs strength at every level, while Devin Roche provides a dependable offensive centerpiece.
The ceiling depends on inexperienced quarterback Quinn Henicle and a rebuilt offensive line.
5. Arkansas State Red Wolves
Arkansas State won six of its final eight games in 2025 and returns one of the league’s deepest groups of skill players. Kenyon Clay, Devin Spencer and Chauncy Cobb can carry the offense while a new quarterback settles in, and AG McGhee leads an experienced secondary.
The Red Wolves are a serious threat to Troy, especially with the Trojans visiting Jonesboro in the regular-season finale.
6. Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns
Louisiana closed last season with four consecutive wins and returns four starters on what should be one of the Sun Belt’s best offensive lines. Quarterback Lunch Winfield brings dual-threat ability, and Shelton Sampson Jr. is poised for a breakout year at receiver.
A defense replacing most of its starters is the biggest obstacle between the Cajuns and another West title.
7. Georgia Southern Eagles
Georgia Southern has enough offense to make a run if veteran transfer quarterback Max Johnson provides steady play. Josh Dallas headlines a strong receiving corps, and the defense returns proven pieces in MJ Stroud, Brandon Tyson and Chance Gamble.
The Eagles’ championship hopes depend on fixing a unit that struggled badly in defensive success rate last year.
8. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
Louisiana Tech enters its first Sun Belt season after an 8-5 campaign and a bowl victory. Blake Baker and Trey Kukuk give Sonny Cumbie two capable quarterbacks, while linebacker Kolbe Fields returns as the defense’s leader.
A rebuilt secondary and new skill-position cast create questions, but the Bulldogs are talented enough to disrupt the West race immediately.
9. App State Mountaineers
App State needs a stronger finish after losing six of its final seven games in 2025. Running back Jaquari Lewis gives the offense a clear focal point, and linebacker Colton Phares is one of the conference’s better defenders.
Malachi Singleton could raise the ceiling at quarterback, but both lines must improve for the Mountaineers to rejoin the title chase.
10. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
Ryan Beard takes over a roster with more than 50 new players, making Coastal Carolina one of the league’s hardest teams to project. Deuce Bailey could become the answer at quarterback, while Ja’Marion Wayne and Myles Woods give the defense experienced playmakers in the secondary.
The Chanticleers have upside, but major turnover makes consistency unlikely in year one.
11. South Alabama Jaguars
South Alabama has a proven quarterback in Bishop Davenport, who accounted for 21 touchdowns last season. Keenan Phillips, PJ Martin and Anthony Eager give him enough support to keep the offense competitive.
The concern is a defense with only three returning starters after allowing more than 30 points per conference game in 2025.
12. Southern Miss Golden Eagles
Blake Anderson takes over after Charles Huff’s one-season turnaround, but nearly the entire starting lineup must be rebuilt. Center Broderick Roman is the lone returning starter, and a three-way quarterback competition adds more uncertainty.
Anderson’s Sun Belt experience should keep Southern Miss organized, yet this looks like a transition season.
13. ULM Warhawks
ULM finished 2025 on an eight-game losing streak and now replaces most of a defense that kept the team competitive. Transfer running back Donald Chaney offers badly needed explosiveness, but quarterback Aidan Armenta and a rebuilt offensive line must lift a unit that averaged only 16.6 points per game.
The Warhawks face another difficult climb in the West.
14. Georgia State Panthers
Georgia State went winless in Sun Belt play last season, putting pressure on Dell McGee to show progress. Quarterback Cameran Brown flashed promise with 13 touchdown passes, and three returning offensive-line starters offer a foundation.
A defense that allowed 37.8 points per game needs immediate help from a large group of newcomers.
Sun Belt Championship Game Prediction
James Madison 27, Troy 23
Troy’s pass rush and special teams should keep the championship game close, but James Madison gets the nod because of its recent standard, its rushing attack and Napier’s history of winning in this league.
The Dukes have more uncertainty than last season, yet their roster still has enough quality to survive a wide-open East and repeat as champion.
Sportsvival’s Preseason First-Team All-Sun Belt
Offense
QB: Carlos Del Rio-Wilson, Marshall
RB: Kenyon Clay, Arkansas State
RB: Devin Roche, Old Dominion
WR: Chauncy Cobb, Arkansas State
WR: Shelton Sampson Jr., Louisiana
WR: Adrian Norton, Marshall
TE: Toby Payne, Marshall
OL: Tristian Smith, Arkansas State
OL: Zach Greenberg, James Madison
OL: AJ Vinson, ULM
OL: Tariq Montgomery, Marshall
OL: Jalen Slappy, Marshall
K: Clune Van Andel, Arkansas State
Defense
DL: Aiden Benton, App State
DL: MJ Stroud, Georgia Southern
DL: Amar Thomas, James Madison
DL: Donnie Smith, Troy
LB: Colton Phares, App State
LB: Noah Flemmings, ULM
LB: Kolbe Fields, Louisiana Tech
DB: AG McGhee, Arkansas State
DB: Ja’Marion Wayne, Coastal Carolina
DB: Chance Gamble, Georgia Southern
DB: Brent Gordon Jr., Louisiana
DB: Daytione Smith, Marshall
P: Evan Crenshaw, Troy
Specialists
Return Specialist: Chauncy Cobb, Arkansas State
All-Purpose: Chauncy Cobb, Arkansas State
Final Thoughts
The 2026 Sun Belt race is defined by transition. James Madison has a new coach and a rebuilt lineup, Troy returns only five starters, and nearly every challenger has a major question at quarterback or on defense. That volatility should create one of the most competitive conference races in the country.
James Madison is the pick, but Marshall’s quarterback play, Old Dominion’s defense and a crowded West led by Troy make a repeat anything but certain. Louisiana Tech’s arrival adds another complication to a league that rarely follows the cleanest script.