Must Watch Sun Belt Games in Week 2

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Several Sun Belt teams will have an incredible opportunity this weekend to test themselves against major Power Four opponents.

From Louisiana’s trip to Southern California to Louisiana Tech’s in-state battle against LSU, there are a number of games that are worthy of tuning into. These Sun Belt teams can potentially prove themselves to the world on a nationally televised stage.

Top Sun Belt Games to Watch this Weekend

Louisiana at USC

Louisiana is coming off a dominant 38-7 victory over Lamar to begin the season. But the test this upcoming weekend will be more formidable, as they travel to USC to take on the No. 14 Trojans.

The Trojans will be back after shutting out Fresno State 39-0. USC has been on fire in its first two games, averaging 40.5 points per game. They are being led by quarterback Jayden Maiava, who is completing 88.9% of his passes for 635 yards and five touchdowns. His main targets on the outside have been receivers Trent Mosley and Kayden Dixon-Wyatt. Mosley leads the team in catches with 11 for 222 yards, and Dixon-Wyatt has 10 catches for 138 yards.

In the Ragin’ Cajuns’ win over Lamar, they were led by the rushing attack. Darrell Smith and Lunch Winfield ran for 84 yards apiece, and as a team, they ran for 243 yards. The pass game was a bit uneven. Despite throwing for 231 yards as a team, they threw three interceptions, with Winfield recording two and Daniel Beale picking up the other one.

The Ragin’ Cajuns successfully ran the ball, while the Trojans have been stout against the run, limiting their first two opponents to only 2.7 yards per carry. If the run game is held in check, the quarterbacks, specifically Winfield, since he’s the starter, need to not turn it over.

USC is the heavy favorite at 30.5 points. There is a pathway for Louisiana to keep this game competitive, and it will start with not turning the ball over and giving USC great field position. This game will be played in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, giving the Trojans a home-field advantage.

This is a big-time opportunity for the Ragin’ Cajuns to show the rest of the Sun Belt they can hang with anybody.

Kickoff: Sat., Sept. 12 at 11:00 p.m. ET

Where to watch: Big Ten Network

Louisiana Tech at LSU

Louisiana Tech is also coming off a dominant opening week victory, scoring 80 points on Northwestern State. But they will face a real challenge this week when they face LSU.

Like the Bulldogs, the Fighting Tigers are entering off an impressive performance. In the first game of the Lane Kiffin era, LSU romped Clemson 51-10.

The Fighting Tigers were able to heavily rely on the run game as they ran for 309 yards. Running back Dilin Jones and quarterback Sam Leavitt ran for 113 yards apiece.

Defensively, the Fighting Tigers allowed only 145 total yards, eight first downs, and held Clemson to 1 for 13 on third downs.

Louisiana Tech dropped 80 points on Northwestern State, regardless of who was on the field. Blake Baker started at quarterback, but multiple quarterbacks played as the game was a rout. Trey Kukuk threw two touchdowns, and Joshua Brantley threw a touchdown.

The Bulldogs enter this game with nothing to lose, as the Fighting Tigers are the No. 8 team nationally. These teams did match up last season, and the Fighting Tigers won 23-7, so the Bulldogs have a chance for some revenge.

Kickoff: Sat., Sept. 12 at 7:30 p.m. ET

Where to watch: SEC Network

Old Dominion at Virginia Tech

Old Dominion entered the 2026 season with significant roster turnover, but they got off to a great start as they defeated Norfolk State 31-10.

The side of the ball that was the strength for the Monarchs was the defense. They forced two fumbles and an interception. They held the Spartans to only 94 yards passing and 126 yards rushing, showing up in all areas defensively.

Offensively, the Monarchs were well balanced. Quarterback Quinn Henicle made his third career start and didn’t disappoint as he completed 9 of 12 passes for 143 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, and also led them in rushing with 68 yards.

Virginia Tech comes into this matchup after defeating VMI by a whopping 70 points. The Hokies were able to do whatever they wanted offensively, with 351 passing yards and 268 rushing yards. They were even better defensively, holding the Keydets to 83 yards of offense.

VMI is an FCS team, so going from them to the Monarchs is a stiffer challenge for the Hokies. Both sides of the ball were very comfortable in that win. Old Dominion will be a more challenging opponent, specifically the defense, which was great last year but wasn’t fully healthy. They now have Koa Naotala and Mario Thompson back, with the two players combining for 17 tackles against Norfolk State.

While the Monarchs scored 31 points last week, they will have to be more productive through the air against a Hokies defense that held VMI to minus-4 rushing yards.

These two teams did square off last season, and the Monarchs won handily 45-26.

Kickoff: Sat., Sept. 12 at noon ET

Where to watch: The CW

Other Sun Belt Games

Appalachian State at East Carolina

ULM at UAB

Wagner at James Madison

Alabama State at Troy

Middle Tennessee at Marshall

Georgia State at Kennesaw State

South Alabama at Tulane

West Georgia at Arkansas State

Fordham at Coastal Carolina

Georgia Southern at Clemson

Southern Miss at Auburn

Main Image: Glenn Andrews-Imagn Images