Prominent Sun Belt Games in Week 3

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There are plenty of compelling games to look forward to in the Sun Belt this weekend. Teams like Louisiana Tech, Troy, and Arkansas State will face Power Four competition, while James Madison comes off making program history.

It should be an entertaining weekend, with these teams getting a chance to make a name for themselves on a national stage.

Week 3 Sun Belt Games

Louisiana Tech at Baylor

Louisiana Tech will face another Power Four team this weekend, as they will take on Baylor in Waco, Texas.

The Bulldogs may have to enter this matchup without quarterback Blake Baker, who suffered a fractured hand and whose status is in doubt. If Baker can’t go, then Trey Kukuk will get the start. Kukuk gives the Bulldogs more ability with his legs than Baker, even though he isn’t the passer Baker is.

Baylor will be getting quarterback DJ Lagway, who missed the previous game with an ankle injury. That didn’t stop Baylor from defeating Prairie View A&M 44-3.

A key focus for the Bulldogs will be to limit Gavin Freeman. The redshirt senior has gotten off to an excellent start for the Bears, recording 22 catches for 258 yards through two games.

If Kukuk gets the start, that will be a different defensive game plan for the Bears. It should be more of an emphasis for the Bears to load the box, trying to limit the run as much as possible.

Kukuk will have to show that he has grown as a passer. In limited time this season, he has completed all seven passes.

This game gives the Bulldogs another chance to match up against some of the better competition in college football. They lost to LSU 45-14, and while Baylor is the better team on paper, the Bulldogs still can prove themselves on the field.

This is the first matchup between these teams since 1996.

Kickoff: Sat., Sept. 19 at 4 p.m. ET
Where to watch: ESPNU

Marquee Sun Belt Games — Photo Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Troy at Missouri

Troy travels to Memorial Stadium to take on No. 20 Missouri. Both teams enter the game undefeated. The biggest thing to look out for in this contest is the Missouri offense and the Troy defense.

The Tigers offense has been on fire to begin the season, averaging 46.0 points per game, ranking 25^th nationally. They average 515.5 yards per game, and quarterback Austin Simmons has gotten off to a strong start, throwing for 544 yards, with seven touchdowns and no interceptions.

The Trojans have had a strong start to the season defensively, and it will be interesting to see how the run defense will perform. The Tigers have been inconsistent running the ball, despite what the yards may suggest. Last week in their victory over Kansas, they ran for 177 yards, but 64 of those came on one play. Outside of that run, they only managed 113 yards on 2.8 yards per carry.

The Tigers’ defense has also been efficient, only allowing 141.5 passing yards and 84.5 rushing yards per game. Quarterbacks are only completing 45.5% of their passes against them, so that should be interesting to see how they match up against Goose Crowder, who has been inconsistent with his completion this season. Crowder is only completing 51% of his passes so far.

The path for the Trojans to make this an interesting game is to create explosive plays in the pass game. Even though they have run the ball effectively, the Tigers are an excellent run defense so those opportunities may be limited.

Kickoff: Sat., Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. ET
Where to watch: SEC Network

Arkansas State at TCU

This game between TCU and Arkansas State has the potential to be a high-scoring, entertaining affair. TCU averages 36.5 points per game, and Arkansas State is a little above that with 38.

The TCU offense has been well balanced this season, as quarterback Jaden Craig and running back Jeremy Payne lead the way. Craig has thrown for 566 yards and four touchdowns. Payne has rushed for 221 yards and 6.5 yards per carry. The Red Wolves defense will be in for a challenge trying to stop both players, as the Horned Frogs can beat you both ways.

A big emphasis for the Red Wolves will be to protect the football. Trey Owens threw four interceptions in the opener against Memphis and lost a fumble last week against West Georgia. Putting up points will be vital for Arkansas State, so he has to be smart with the football.

Because of how good TCU’s defense has been against the run, this could be a game where Owens number is called even more, so he can’t put the ball in harm’s way.

Kickoff: Sat., Sept. 19 at 8 p.m. ET
Where to watch: ESPNU

James Madison at San Diego State

James Madison heads back out on the road after making history in the demolition of Wagner. The Dukes won by a score of 87-3, recording the highest-scoring game in the program’s history. Beating an FCS opponent was to be expected, but scoring 87 points is remarkable and something that warrants high praise regardless of the talent disparity.

With the injury to JC Evans, Camden Coleman was called upon to be the starter, and Arrington Maiden got some play due to it being a blowout. Head Coach Billy Napier hasn’t given much update on Evans status, just saying he’s “day-to-day, week-to-week.”

San Diego State is coming into this game off a loss to UCLA, a game that was competitive for almost three and a half quarters before three late touchdowns by the Bruins put the game out of reach.

The Aztecs will need to be more productive in the passing game against a stout JMU defense. Quarterback Jayden Denegal really struggled against UCLA, throwing 6-for-17 for 45 yards.

This will be an opportunity for the Dukes to show that they are still the team to beat in the Sun Belt despite losing a large number of starters. San Diego State is obviously a more respectable opponent than Wagner, so there won’t be 87 points scored or three special teams touchdowns. This could be closer to the Dukes’ opener against Liberty, a low-scoring, physical win.

Kickoff: Sat., Sept. 19 at 10 p.m. ET
Where to watch: The CW

More Sun Belt Games

Marshall at Missouri State

Coastal Carolina at Delaware

Southeastern at ULM

Charlotte at App State

East Carolina at Old Dominion

Ohio at South Alabama

UConn at Southern Miss

Georgia Southern at Jax State

Georgia State at UCF

UAB at Louisiana

Main Photo: Wesley Hale-Imagn Images