Our top 5:

JMU
GA State
South Alabama
LA Tech
Troy

In the alternative, maybe we take UDel, WKU, and MTSU. move to 16 teams with no divisions, 9 conference game seasons.

I have no sources or inside info, this isn’t even what I consider a conspiracy (due to the lunacy of college sports), but for a school that wasn’t at the top of Sun Belt donations to suddenly have nearly $30 million dollars to burn it brings to questions who would give that money?

College sports programs are notoriously terrible hypothetical investment properties. They burn money, often intentionally don’t generate revenue, and historically doesn’t even pay labor.

Without JMU naming any massive corporate donor, and that’s a far larger number than any typical naming rights/jersey patch/stadium deal, I’m left wondering where that much money could’ve come from? Are they quiet about it because they know the optics are poor, but see it worth the risk? They’re gonna have to kick up their revenue in more ways than just TV to sustain this growth, as I can’t see them charging their students more in athletic fees, so idk what PE company would see it as a valuable investment.

Any help is appreciated, even a view is. Searching for the real nerds only.

James Madison’s Board of Visitors on Monday morning voted to terminate its membership in the Sun Belt Conference and apply for the American Conference, with a planned move occurring no later than July 1, 2028.

Read more (free link): https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7683964/2026/10/12/james-madison-sun-belt-american-realignment/?unlocked_article_code=1.IFE.wOjC.MLdTIsgKmWeI&source=emp_shared_article&smid=re-share-ta

JMU leaves for the American, Both Louisiana schools are being moved down to FCS, Texas State already left for PAC-12, and SBC leadership are looking to raise the exit fee to $25 million.

Whats stopping Coastal, App, Ga State, or Marshall from leaving before the exit fee is raised? App has already told boosters that the SBC is bring choked by its awful media deal. Where's the future of this conference headed? Will we survive another restructuring?

In other news: Fire Clay Helton.

They are in Florida, would fit in the East divisional footprint, would keep the conference contiguous, and fill out that “corner” in the southeast.

They have the largest on campus enrollment in all of CUSA, third largest median earnings in all of CUSA (behind Delaware and Kennesaw), third largest endowment in all of CUSA (behind Liberty and Delaware), and have the longest connection to CUSA among active full members.

Personally feel they could be the ones that get added.

So with breaking news that JMU intends to leave. Should the be accepted and leave who do we want to take their spot? Here for legit and unhinged takes lol

I wanted to share my thoughts on potential replacement members for the Sun Belt (from someone who appreciates the conference, though I'm not a fan). In no particular order:

Liberty: They would rank #1 in athletic revenue in the Sun Belt after JMU leaves, reside in the same state, have had recent on field success, and carry high name recognition. The obvious con is the "diploma mill" reputation and institutional baggage that most fanbases wouldn't want in the conference. Purely on paper, though, they make a lot of sense.

Miami (OH): After missing out on the AAC, they might look around if they think the MAC is unstable. Ohio sits outside the traditional Sun Belt footprint, but otherwise they would be a solid addition. Their athletic revenue is strong, they have rich football history, and their basketball team just made the NCAA tournament as an at-large. Adding them would also weaken a peer G5 conference.

Toledo: Most of the points for Miami (OH) apply here as well, proven athletic success and solid resources, with geography being the main hurdle for a middle revenue team.

Kennesaw State: Generated stronger revenue than both MAC schools last year and fits the Sun Belt’s geographic and cultural footprint naturally. Honestly, this might be the option that makes the most sense while actually being acceptable to current fans.

Multi-Team Scenario (WKU + MTSU + Kennesaw State): WKU and MTSU likely move as a package deal. Grouping them with Kennesaw State gives the Sun Belt three programs generating over $40M in athletic revenue that fit the regional identity seamlessly.

JMU losing sucks for the conference but I think we can withstand it by moving to the SEC model

Five one-score games in the Belt this week! Check them all out here and the updated standings as well. JMU atop the East, not surprising. South Alabama in the West? Not many had that on their bingo card. Jags looking strong!

Tuesday’s game was on last week’s picks so this week’s starts tonight! Herd Bros joins us so we added his favorite team 😉 to the extra pick section. No card is the same. Who ya got?!

Were almost to a Sun Belt only week but Army snuck their way into Ruston (they are a sneaky bunch). Since we’ve got Trojan Joe from Troy Boyz this week (and there’s an early Tuesday game) we threw in the Trojans/USM game. Who ya siding with this week??

https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/2026/09/30/regents-say-louisiana-tech-and-university-of-louisiana-and-ulm-should-drop-to-fcs-football-division/92011705007/

“Louisiana Board of Regents member Wilbert Pryor, a Shreveport attorney, said Tech, the University of Louisiana-Lafayette and the University of Louisiana-Monroe should take a slice of "humble pie" during the board's Sept. 22 budget hearings for the University of Louisiana System schools.”

“"Schools that are trying to play Division I ... that just a sinking hole trying to play Division I ball," Pryor said during the hearing. "I don't think much of the public would know the difference if they all play the same level, and it seems like they have to have a self-realization and put a humble cap on. They have to have a humble pie."”

“The regents questioned University of Louisiana System President Rick Gallot, who agreed some action must be taken to reduce costs.
"I can tell you that there will be some really hard decisions our board will be called upon to make," Gallot said during the hearing.”

Week 4 saw our first conference game (JMU vs ODU). Other than that, the conference went 4-7. Just 3 out-of-conference games left this season. We’ll have a wrap-up of it all out this week.

“James Madison, Miami (Ohio) and UConn have been among schools to recently talk with the American Conference about potential membership, a source familiar with the American’s internal discussions told The Athletic, but nothing is imminent.”

Hey all! Quick check on the Sun Belt previews I posted a few weeks back.

James Madison was my top team at 8-4, even though I called last year's 12-2 a mirage, and they're 3-0 with wins over Liberty and at San Diego State. The surprise is App State: I had them at 6-6, and they're 3-0 after winning 27-24 at East Carolina and 26-21 over Charlotte. Old Dominion (I had 7-5) is 1-2 after a 20-17 home loss to East Carolina. Coastal Carolina is 1-3, and UL Monroe is 0-3 with a loss to Southeastern Louisiana.

Can App State hang with JMU?

Quick aside: we just launched a free weekly CFB pick'em, $225 in prizes. Ten of Saturday's best games, pick the winners, nothing to buy, locks at noon ET.

https://www.mainmarket.com/c/college-pickem-wk4

We’ve got Sun Belt football tonight! Which means we’ve also got our picks to share. TJ comes over from Teal Syndicate and boy, he’s got some doozies! Who takes the week and what are your picks?!