James Madison’s near unbreakable hold of the top of the Sun Belt Conference hasn’t been put to the test yet, and the better question may be if anyone will even come close. Most teams are closing up nonconference play, and will now move into the bulk of their conference schedules.
- James Madison (No change from last week)
The Dukes opened their conference schedule with a blowout win over Old Dominion, winning 46-20. The game was never close, and even though the Monarchs have struggled this season, this is still an impressive win for James Madison. They have been doing this with quarterback JC Evans out with injury, with backup Camden Coleman taking home Offensive Player of the Week honors.
- App State (-)
App State doesn’t move down despite taking its first loss of the season to NC State. The game could have gone different ways, and the Mountaineers will be the team most likely to take James Madison down, once they can figure out how to start and finish games strong.
- Georgia State (+1)
The Sun Belt’s top offense continues to shine in nonconference play with a 35-14 win over Northern Illinois. The rushing attack continues to be a problem for opposing teams, with the Panthers getting production from all over the depth chart.
- Louisiana (+4)
The best team the West Division has seen in 2026 through four weeks of play, and the fewest opponent yards per game in the Sun Belt so far. Defensive back Brent Gordon Jr. was a problem in the Ragin’ Cajuns 34-7 win over Charlotte, posting an interception, 2 forced fumbles and 2 pass breakups.
- Troy (-2)
Troy moves down after the road loss to Utah State, who picked up its first win. The Trojans will have to quickly prove itself on conference play as one of the best in the division, starting with Southern Miss on Sept. 26.
- Louisiana Tech (-1)
The Bulldogs were the only team on bye in week 4, but are still a solid team despite what the record says. They will have the chance to prove it against Army Saturday in their last non-conference game.
- South Alabama (-)
South Alabama put up a strong fight in the first half against Kentucky, but superior talent ended up taking over in the second. The Jaguars start Sun Belt play with ULM, and will hopefully get quarterback Bishop Davenport back soon to complement a strong rushing attack.
- Arkansas State (+1)
A big home win for Arkansas State over Kennesaw State, but the schedule to open conference play is not easy with Louisiana and South Alabama up first. Quarterback Trey Ownes was excellent against the Owls, going 24-31 for 244 yards and a touchdown.
- Marshall (+2)
Marshall escaped with a 36-35 win over FCS Gardner-Webb with a field goal in the final seconds. Despite being 3-1, the Thundering Herd have done nothing to assert themselves as one of the best in the conference, and they open up Sun Belt play with James Madison Saturday.
- Coastal Carolina (-4)
Coastal Carolina suffered a bad Thursday night loss to Liberty. The offense was too inconsistent and the defense struggled to stop the Flames potent rushing attack and wide receiver Makai Jackson. The Chanticleers play Georgia Southern Saturday with a chance to flip the script on a season that is going downhill.
- Georgia Southern (-1)
The Eagles hosted a Big 12 Conference opponent in Houston, and quarterback Max Johnson kept them in it before the Cougars eventually ran away with it. Georgia Southern sits at 1-3, but have kept it close with big schools, Saturday’s game against Coastal Carolina is a big one, with the winner giving themselves some momentum to build off of.
- Old Dominion (-)
The schedule doesn’t get any easier after the blowout home loss to James Madison, with road games against the upstart Georgia State and then App State on the road in the next two weeks.
- Southern Miss (-)
A close road loss to Tulane has the Golden Eagles in a decent position to pull an upset against Troy Oct. 6. The offense is fifth in the Sun Belt, but the defense has been holding them back.
- ULM (-)
Another bad home loss for ULM, losing 45-17 to FAU, up next is one of the toughest conference schedules in the Sun Belt.