{"id":19861,"date":"2023-06-21T15:21:31","date_gmt":"2023-06-21T19:21:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/?p=19861"},"modified":"2023-07-13T11:03:25","modified_gmt":"2023-07-13T15:03:25","slug":"sun-belt-conference-championship-predictions-sleeper-teams-and-busts-2023-college-football-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/college-football\/sun-belt-conference-championship-predictions-sleeper-teams-and-busts-2023-college-football-season\/","title":{"rendered":"Sun Belt Conference Championship Predictions, Sleeper Teams and Busts – 2023 College Football Season"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

2023 Sun Belt Conference Championship Preview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

WagerTalk college football contributor Kyle Kargel gives his Sun Belt Conference Championship betting preview heading into the 2023 college football season! Which Sun Belt Conference team could surprise some, disappoint and who is the best bet to win the conference championship come December? Read up on Sun Belt Conference Championship predictions, sleeper teams and busts now!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay on top of the latest free college football picks<\/a> updates direct from WagerTalk!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Sun Belt Conference Teams<\/th>Odds to Win Sun Belt Conference Championship<\/th><\/tr>
South Alabama<\/td>+260<\/td><\/tr>
Troy<\/td>+320<\/td><\/tr>
Coastal Carolina<\/td>+400<\/td><\/tr>
Appalachian State<\/td>+800<\/td><\/tr>
Marshall<\/td>+800<\/td><\/tr>
Louisiana-Lafayette<\/td>+1000<\/td><\/tr>
Georgia Southern<\/td>+1800<\/td><\/tr>
Georgia State<\/td>+2200<\/td><\/tr>
Southern Miss<\/td>+2500<\/td><\/tr>
Arkansas State<\/td>+6000<\/td><\/tr>
Old Dominion<\/td>+8000<\/td><\/tr>
Texas State<\/td>+8000<\/td><\/tr>
Louisiana-Monroe<\/td>+15000<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Past Sun Belt Conference Championship Winners<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

2022: Troy Trojans
2021: Louisiana Rajin-Cajuns
2020: COVID Year
2019: Appalachian State Mountaineers
2018: Appalachian State Mountaineers
2017: Troy Trojans\/Appalachian State Mountaineers
2016: Appalachian State Mountaineers\/Arkansas State Red Wolves
2015: Arkansas State Red Wolves
2014: Georgia Southern Eagles
2013: Arkansas State Red Wolves\/Louisiana Rajin-Cajuns<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FREE WagerTalk 2023 College Football Guide!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Click the image below to download your FREE WagerTalk 2023 College Football Guide with 175 pages breaking down each and every FBS team including this Florida Gators football team! Two of the best in Ralph Michaels<\/a> and Jeff Michaels<\/a> put this comprehensive guide together so get prepped for the 2023 College Football season with WagerTalk!<\/p>\n\n\n

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Sun Belt Conference Championship Sleeper – Southern Miss (+2500)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Southern Miss returns running back Frank Gore Jr. who rushed for 1,382 yards and nine touchdowns last season. He capped it off with a 329 rushing yard performance in the LendingTree Bowl against Rice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They started conference play going 3-1 but lost three straight late in the season. What\u2019s been holding the Golden Eagles back on offense is their inconsistent QB play but that hopes to be solved with Clemson transfer Billy Wiles making his way to Southern Miss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As far as defense the Golden Eagles were middle of the pack in the Sun Belt allowing 23.5 ppg. Their biggest impact surrounded turnovers and sacks as this defense was top five nationally in both categories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their toughest stretch will be playing back-to-back road games against South Alabama and Appalachian State as four of their last six games will be played on the road. At +2500 odds though, Southern Miss makes a solid Sun Belt Championship sleeper play heading into the 2023 season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sun Belt Conference Championship Bust – Troy (+320)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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There\u2019s no doubt about it this Trojans defense was stout last season allowing just 17.5 ppg and 208 yards per game which were both second in the conference.<\/p>\n

They lose five starters on the defensive side as well as their defensive coordinator with their offense still looking sketchy.<\/p>\n

Troy only scored 25.6 ppg while only rushing for 115 ypg as starting quarterback Gunnar Watson threw for 12 interceptions which was tied for second most in the conference and his 14 touchdowns were tied for second to last among all starters in the Sun Belt Conference.<\/p>\n

It won\u2019t get easier for Watson this season though as Troy lost their starting center to the NFL draft as well as their top two receivers.<\/p>\n

Nonetheless look for Troy to compete in every game as they played seven one possession games last season going 6-1.<\/p>\n

Will they notch eight wins this season? Probably, but easily obtaining double digit wins how they did last season is very much in jeopardy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Sun Belt Conference Championship Expert Prediction – South Alabama (+260)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The Jaguars return 18 of 22 starters on offense and defense combined going 10-3 last season. Their 10-6 loss against Troy in Week 7 is what ultimately costed them a Sun Belt Championship Game appearance in 2022 as the Trojans and Jaguars were tied atop the Sun Belt West Division at 7-1.<\/p>\n

In 2023 they roll out the most experienced team in the conference and had one of if not the best recruiting class in seven years.<\/p>\n

Returning QB Carter Bradley was second in the conference in passing yards and led the conference in passing touchdowns in 2022.<\/p>\n

They dodge Coastal Carolina, Appalachian State and Louisiana-Lafayette on the Sun Belt schedule but have to play at James Madison and what could be the biggest Sun Belt Conference game of the season at Troy on November 2nd.<\/p>\n

The game against Troy could likely determine the West Division\u2019s representative in the conference championship game once again. Look for South Alabama to get revenge on Troy this season and ultimately take the Sun Belt Conference Championship game in the 2023 season.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

College Football and NFL Week 1 Betting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Steve Merril and Teddy Covers run through betting tips and advice when it comes to betting the first week of college football and NFL action. Which type of approach should you be taking and how should you be betting? Listen to their insightful betting knowledge now!<\/p>\n\n\n

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