The Sun Belt Conference faces a season of surprising twists, missed opportunities, and a race for bowl eligibility. Can Troy or Southern Miss seize the West Division championship, and will James Madison’s flawless record earn playoff consideration despite a challenging schedule landscape?

Dave Schultz breaks down the stakes, spotlighting teams like Coastal Carolina, Old Dominion, and App State battling for postseason spots.

Analysis covers pivotal coaching changes, quarterback performances from Braylon Braxton and J.J. Kohl, and the impact of key matchups like Marshall vs. Georgia Southern and Texas State vs. South Alabama.

With nine teams possibly going bowling and postseason futures in flux, could coaching moves — including Bob Chesney’s rumored jumps and Ricky Rahne’s prospects — reshape programs?

Tune in for bowl scenarios, game predictions, and Sun Belt’s outlook as the regular season wraps.

00:00 "Sun Belt Football Highlights"

03:37 Sun Belt Season Wrap-Up

12:08 Defensive Strategy and Adjustments

15:54 "Cajuns Shine, Eagles Struggle"

19:52 College Coaching Changes & Playoffs

20:41 "New Orleans Bowl Recap"

26:08 Texas State: Defensive Struggles Persist

29:01 "ODU's Preseason Favoritism"

31:14 Locked ON Sun Belt Weekend Recap

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Southern Miss’ defensive woes threaten their Sun Belt Championship dreams as they face Troy in a high-stakes showdown. Can the Golden Eagles regain their early-season edge and stop the ground assault that’s plagued them against Texas State and South Alabama?

Dave Schultz and Scott Watkins break down defensive mismatches, discuss Braylon Braxton’s injury status, and analyze how the 4-2-5 scheme may be Southern Miss’ undoing—unless key adjustments are made before the big game.

The conversation explores the evolving coaching landscape across Group of Five programs, the future of Charles Huff at Southern Miss, and what defines a successful season for the Golden Eagles.

Insightful takes on Power 4 coordinators stepping down to G5 head coaching roles and upcoming Sun Belt coaching shakeups add intrigue to this loaded Thanksgiving week episode. Will Southern Miss bounce back, or will Troy secure their place at the top?

00:00 "Locked On Sun Belt: Troy vs. Southern Miss"

05:42 Southern Miss Defensive Philosophy Insights

08:03 Southern Miss Adjustments Needed?

13:38 Mixed Reactions to Huff's Return

24:56 "Sun Belt Coach of the Year Debate"

27:41 Southern Miss vs. Troy Explained

32:04 "Coaching Dominoes Await Black Monday"

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James Madison Dukes face playoff roadblocks as the College Football Playoff committee continues to overlook top G5 contenders.

Is the system stacked against JMU and fellow Group of Five programs like Tulane and North Texas? Dave Schultz argues that despite James Madison’s stellar campaign and high AP poll ranking, the “big boys” have shut the door, favoring three-loss Power 5 teams and long-established programs over rising challengers.

Dave Schultz spotlights committee biases, a potential SEC–Big Ten breakaway championship, and the futility of a G5-only playoff.

Sun Belt bowl hopes heat up, with Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns, Texas State Bobcats, Marshall, AState, and App State all in the mix.

Plus, early Week 14 betting lines, quarterback questions, coaching carousel talk, and what G5 teams must do to gain respect in the eyes of college football’s powerbrokers.

Can James Madison rewrite the narrative, or are they destined to be left out again?

00:00 Arizona's Inconsistent Football Season

03:29 "Questioning Strength of Schedule"

06:39 Missed Chances and What-Ifs

14:16 College Sports Realignment Speculation

16:29 "Parity and Profit in NFL"

21:04 "Cajuns' Season Overview & Matchup"

22:29 Cajuns' Win and QB Debate

28:13 JMU vs Coastal Carolina Preview

29:51 Coaching Jobs and Salaries Debate

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Should the Sun Belt Conference eliminate divisions or keep its traditional East and West split? Dave Schultz tackles the heated debate as Old Dominion, arguably the second-best team, is set to miss the Sun Belt Championship due to current divisional rules. Rivalries like South Alabama vs. Troy and Louisiana vs. Southern Miss hang in the balance, raising questions about the future of Sun Belt football and fan engagement.

Key discussion points include how divisional formats impact bowl eligibility, potential coaching carousel shake-ups, and standout performances across the league.

Dave Schultz examines key matchups such as App State's gritty win over Marshall and Texas State's late-season surge, while spotlighting coaches like Bob Chesney and Ricky Rahne amidst swirling rumors.

Should preserving rivalries outweigh the push for a best-versus-best championship? Join the conversation as Locked On Sun Belt breaks down what’s next for the conference and its top contenders.

00:00 Sun Belt Championship and Divisions

04:25 Sun Belt Championship Race Analysis

09:02 App State Triumphs Over Herd

14:21 JMU Hosts Coastal on ESPNU

18:01 "Subscribe to Sun Belt Podcast"

21:58 Mocking Media, Addressing Intentions

25:07 "Must LSU Win Next Season?"

27:52 Sun Belt Bowl Eligibility Race

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Southern Miss defense falters in decisive losses, putting their Sun Belt Championship hopes in jeopardy. Can the Golden Eagles recover their defensive edge against Troy with the title on the line?

Dave Schultz examines Southern Miss' defensive struggles, spotlighting their inability to force turnovers against Texas State and South Alabama while questioning whether injuries or lack of pressure are to blame. The episode previews Southern Miss vs. Troy—a winner-take-all showdown—breaking down Braylon Braxton’s injury status, Vegas odds surprises, and Troy quarterback Goose Crowder’s recent success.

Additional highlights include JMU’s second-half rally over Washington State, ODU’s dominant ground attack against Georgia Southern, and coaching speculation impacting Sun Belt contenders.

Schultz poses compelling questions about Southern Miss’ path forward and potential shifts in the conference landscape. Can Southern Miss reclaim their identity and seize a spot in the Sun Belt Championship? Find out in this action-packed breakdown.

00:00 Turnovers Key in Close Game

05:10 "Southern Miss Comeback Drama"

06:36 Southern Miss Resilient Against Odds

09:57 Southern Miss Season Ending Struggles

16:02 Southern Miss Struggles Continue

19:11 "Cheap Last-Minute Game Tickets"

21:49 "JMU's Second-Half Dominance"

24:05 "Tulane vs. North Texas Debate"

29:36 Ricky Rhane's Coaching Future

30:55 Southern Miss Defense Struggles

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The College Football Playoff committee doesn’t keep its stories straight. They change the standards or criteria based on who they are asked about. Strength of schedule, good wins, bad losses - which is it?

Lots on the line between Arkansas State & Louisiana Thursday night. The Red Wolves become bowl eligible with a win. The Cajuns would make it 3 straight wins and finish the season hosting ULM to make it to a bowl.

Troy surprises San Diego State in 2 OT and James Madison with a big win over their former conference rival, Towson.

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College football coaches command guaranteed contracts worth millions, but are they truly irreplaceable? Host Dave Schultz challenges the conventional wisdom. Arguing most coaches deliver similar results despite massive salary differences.

The discussion examines JMU Dukes football's exclusion from the College Football Playoff rankings despite strong computer metrics, while Tulane claims the 24th spot as the highest Group of 6 team. Schultz breaks down the committee's inconsistent logic regarding quality losses and questions why JMU's cleaner record doesn't earn recognition.

The episode delivers a comprehensive Week 13 Sun Belt Conference football preview, featuring Louisiana's injury crisis heading into Thursday night's matchup at Arkansas State, plus analysis of Saturday games including JMU hosting Washington State, App State's bowl eligibility fight at Marshall, and South Carolina facing Coastal Carolina.

Sun Belt basketball updates round out the coverage, including JMU's victory over Towson and Georgia Southern's narrow loss to Georgia Tech.

Tune in for unfiltered analysis on coaching contracts, playoff politics, and the week's biggest Sun Belt Conference matchups.

0:00 Intro

1:01 Are college football coaches really irreplaceable?

3:03 Only three active coaches won championships

5:05 Quarterback health determines coaching success stories

7:07 JMU proves coaches are replaceable talent

11:12 JMU snubbed by College Football Playoff committee

14:23 Comparing losses: Notre Dame vs Miami debate

17:29 Washington State matchup and ranking implications

20:32 Week 13 preview: Cajuns face injury crisis

23:39 Southern Miss quarterback situation affects betting lines

26:16 Marshall, Troy, and bowl game scenarios

29:21 Sun Belt basketball: JMU beats Towson finally

32:25 Offensive line investment matters more than coaches

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