2024 Sun Belt Football Preview

Sun Belt Championship Game Prediction: App State over Texas State

Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year: Joey Aguilar, App State

Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year: Jason Henderson, Old Dominion

Conference Notes

App State is raw up front but elite under center. The offense will be led by Joey Aguilar, who broke out for 3,757 yards and 33 touchdowns last season. Now, he is the favorite to be the conference’s player of the year. The only problem is, Aguilar will be playing behind four new starters along the offensive line. How big of an issue will this be? It might cause problems at times but App State remains the favorite to represent the conference out of the East division in the Sun Belt Championship.

James Madison is looking to return to form. Curt Cignetti left for Indiana after a successful run with the Dukes. James Madison went 19-5 over the first two seasons since coming over from the FCS. This season, Dylan Morris transferred in to take over under center while there are three capable options in the backfield. Defensively, James Madison allowed just 19.5 points per game last season but lost eight of its top tacklers. The expectations are there but not as high as previous years. James Madison is hoping it can return to form this season.

Texas State continues to take next steps. The Bobcats doubled their win total last season with an 8-5 season. This was the first bowl berth since 2012, the year that they moved to the FBS. Now, hopes are high once again and many believe Texas State can come out of the West division. Jordan McCloud left James Madison for Texas State after being named the Sun Belt Player of the Year in 2023. The offense can be explosive and there should be another trip to bowl season on the horizon.

2024 Sun Belt Football Standings Prediction

EAST

1. App State
2. James Madison
3. Marshall
4. Old Dominion
5. Coastal Carolina
6. Georgia Southern
7. Georgia State

WEST

1. Texas State
2. Louisiana
3. Arkansas State
4. South Alabama
5. Troy
6. Southern Miss
7. Louisiana-Monroe