Locked On Sun Belt - Daily Podcast On Sun Belt Conference Football & Basketball

Virginia Tech Hokies pay a stunning $800,000 to avoid facing JMU in 2026—did the Hokies “turn chicken,” or is there more at play? Dave Schultz breaks down the high-stakes decision, its impact on JMU’s scheduling ambitions, and whether ACC expansion excuses the Hokies’ retreat. San Diego State steps in as JMU’s new opponent, but is this matchup enough for the program’s upward trajectory after massi...

Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns quarterback Walker Howard re-enters the NCAA transfer portal after a rocky season. Can the hometown star find a new home, and what does his departure mean for the Cajuns' future at quarterback? Dave Schultz examines Howard’s injury struggles, inconsistent play, and the emergence of Lunch Winfield, questioning the team’s handling of their QB rotation and the timing of Howard...

Coastal Carolina soars to No. 6 and Southern Miss hit No. 20 in the D1 Baseball preseason rankings—can either Sun Belt powerhouse secure a coveted national seed? With Caden Bodine and Jacob Morrison departing Coastal, and J.B. Middleton leaving Southern Miss, both teams face crucial roster changes. Their schedules feature high-stakes clashes against Illinois, Texas, Ole Miss, Alabama, and Mississi...

The Sun Belt Conference lands high-profile quarterbacks as Henry Hasselbeck joins Appalachian State and Max Johnson heads to Georgia Southern. Can these NFL legacy QBs push their new teams into title contention? Dave Schultz breaks down the Sun Belt’s latest quarterback arrivals, assesses Max Johnson’s lengthy college journey, and examines Southern Miss’s surprising rise to the top of the basketba...

JMU Dukes stars flood UCLA as head coach Bob Chesney rebuilds the Bruins—are we witnessing the rise of the “JMU Bruins” in the Big Ten? Wayne Knight headlines a wave of James Madison transfers, joining DJ Barksdale, Landon Ellis, Riley Robell, and more in Westwood, reshaping UCLA’s roster and sparking questions about Sun Belt talent making waves at a Power 4 program. Dave Schultz breaks down key t...

ULM Warhawks reshuffle their leadership as SJ Tuohy becomes the youngest FBS athletic director at just 32. Can his fresh vision ignite a turnaround for Monroe’s sports programs? Dave Schultz and SJ Tuohy spotlight pivotal challenges in Monroe—budget constraints, program cuts, and fan engagement—while exploring strategies for immediate and long-term improvements in football, basketball, and basebal...

Sun Belt quarterbacks like Colton Joseph (headed to Wisconsin), Alonza Barnett III (UCF), AJ Swann (Mississippi State), J.C. French (Cincinnati), and Jaylen Raynor (Iowa State) seek not just bigger stages but the best NIL deals—will their new homes provide the right fit or spark career leaps? Dave Schultz breaks down each QB's path, raising questions about starting opportunities, roster competitio...

Sun Belt quarterbacks shake up the transfer portal as the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns lock down Lunch Winfield’s return. With portal deals and promises making headlines, Dave Schultz questions who truly wins in this high-stakes market—players or programs? Is big NIL money panning out, or are athletes like Zeon Chriss and Gio Lopez left boxed out after lucrative offers fall short? Dave Schultz reviews...

If the standard set by the P4 media is "Can You Win A Championship?" to be eligible for the postseason, can the Carolina Panthers, NFC South division winners with an 8-9 record, actually win the Super Bowl? Dave Schultz takes on the hot-button question, analyzing the Panthers’ improbable postseason path, their home-field advantage, and the larger implications for NFL playoff standards versus colle...

JMU fared much better against Oregon in Eugene than Texas Tech did on a neutral field in South Florida, sparking debate on whether Group of Five teams truly belong among college football’s postseason. Did JMU prove the gap between powerhouse programs and rising underdogs isn’t as wide as Nick Saban claims? Dave Schultz highlights JMU's gritty road performance in Eugene and breaks down the fallout...

Vanderbilt’s grit against Iowa raises questions—would the Commodores truly fare better against Oregon than JMU? Dave Schultz dismantles the narrative, comparing first-half stats, scoring drives, and the significance of defensive showings, while spotlighting Oregon and JMU’s competitive intensity. Examining bowl motivation, rest versus rust, and power conference perceptions, he puts the SEC versus...

Georgia Southern faces a major shakeup as quarterback JC French hits the transfer portal after leading the Eagles to a key Bowl victory over Appalachian State. Is the portal move a stepping stone to bigger opportunities or a gamble in an oversaturated QB market? Dave Schultz examines French’s standout stats, his second-half surge against App State, and the domino effect for Georgia Southern’s rost...

Georgia Southern sweeps App State with JC French’s explosive second-half performance and O.J. Arnold’s 58-yard run, setting up early 2nd Half TD—can the Eagles carry this momentum into next season? Interceptions at the goal line haunted App State, despite strong showings from Matthew Wilson and Noah Gillen, while Clay Helton’s defense stepped up with zero opt-outs. Dave Schultz breaks down the imp...

James Madison Dukes face a mass exodus as 12 key players—headlined by Sun Belt Player of the Year Alonza Barnett—enter the transfer portal, igniting questions about NIL deals and the future of G5 programs. Can JMU recover after losing talents like Sahir West, Wayne Knight, and several All-Sun Belt honorees? The scramble for lucrative contracts mirrors recent moves by Gio Lopez and Colton Joseph, r...

Group of 5 programs refuse to back down as the battle with the Power Four heats up. Can James Madison and Tulane silence critics who call them “minor league,” or will realignment and the relentless push for money reshape college football forever? Host Dave Schultz breaks down Sun Belt Conference struggles, NCAA uncertainty, and the evolving role of the transfer portal as key starters like Jaylen R...

College Football Playoff expansion sparks controversy: ESPN's Greg McElroy's proposal guarantees a Group of Five spot but forces them to battle the No. 1 seed. Can JMU ever pull off an upset with this playoff structure? The Power 4 keep gaining ground, but is there an alternative that truly levels the playing field for programs like Southern Miss, Old Dominion, and Boise State? Dave Schultz spotli...

Power Four threatens Group of Five playoff access as college football evolves. Will the Sun Belt’s rising stars find a path to the postseason with shifting rankings and playoff rules? Dave Schultz spotlights the brewing battle between Power Four conferences and Group of Five programs, exploring how JMU and Tulane’s recent successes impact enrollment and national profile. The episode covers playoff...

JMU Dukes refuse to fold against the Oregon Ducks, covering the spread in a hard-fought showdown. Can JMU’s resilience set the tone for Sun Belt teams in future playoff spots? Dave Schultz recaps how Alonza Barnett III and Wayne Knight stood out despite facing a high-powered Oregon squad led by Dante Moore, spotlighting crucial moments like the Dukes’ 99-yard touchdown drive and Oregon’s relentles...

Arkansas State edges Missouri State in an Xbox Bowl thriller, holding off a furious fourth-quarter rally to win 34-28. Jaylen Raynor shines with three touchdown passes, while Corey Rucker caps his collegiate career with a 166-yard, six-catch masterpiece, including a highlight-reel 71-yard TD. The Red Wolves’ defense, led by an exhausting eight sacks, managed to withstand Missouri State’s late surg...

James Madison Dukes set their sights on an earth-shaking upset—can they topple the Oregon Ducks in the College Football Playoff? Dave Schultz breaks down JMU’s underdog potential, examining how the Dukes’ explosive late-game performances could threaten Oregon’s fast-starting offense. This episode digs into quarter-by-quarter scoring trends, JMU’s defensive resolve, and the mental edge from nationa...

Oregon Ducks gear up for a high-stakes clash with James Madison as fans wonder: will the Ducks cover the spread or can JMU make this playoff showdown unexpectedly close? The conversation spotlights Oregon’s loaded NFL-caliber roster, the return of key receivers like De’Corian Moore and Gary Bryant Jr., and the importance of the Ducks’ refreshed offensive line. Insights on James Madison’s stout def...

Troy Trojans squander a golden opportunity in the Salute To Veterans Bowl, falling 17-13 to Jacksonville State after a string of costly missed chances and puzzling play calls. Why did Troy’s offense have issues finding its rhythm after two crucial turnovers and failed red zone conversions overshadowed a strong defensive effort? The absence of Tae Meadows’ decision to hit the transfer portal raise...

Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns head coach Mike Desormeaux declares, “We’re playing bowl games, baby!” as the team gears up to face Delaware in Mobile, with postseason momentum on their side after rallying from 2-6 to bowl eligibility. Dave Schultz spotlights Desormeaux’s leadership, Walker Howard’s return, and why earning a Sun Belt Conference bowl appearance still matters despite opt-outs and national p...

Southern Miss zeroes in on their top choice, officially naming Blake Anderson as head football coach. Did the Golden Eagles get their man, or was this just procedural? Dave Schultz breaks down the quick hiring process, Jeremy McClain’s strategic moves, and the continuity provided as all current coaches stick around for the upcoming New Orleans Bowl against Western Kentucky. Expected staff changes...

Sun Belt Conference kicks off bowl week with Troy set for a high-stakes showdown against Jacksonville State. Can Jared Parker’s Trojans leverage their defensive grit to cap off a rollercoaster season, or will Jacksonville State spoil their postseason aspirations? Louisiana faces Delaware in Mobile, with key players like Lunch Winfield and Tyree Skipper making pivotal returns. Is a Sun Belt sweep o...