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

Old Dominion Monarchs double down on the future, extending Head Coach Ricky Rahne amid a record-setting football season. With ODU shattering its single-season rushing record and ranking in the national top 20 for key categories like rushing offense, red zone defense, and scoring defense, can Rahne’s leadership elevate the program even further—despite quarterback Colton Joseph’s departure? Dave Sch...

Southern Miss and Coastal Carolina shake up the Sun Belt with bold head coaching hires—can Blake Anderson and Ryan Beard spark immediate turnarounds? Blake Anderson returns to Southern Miss after a challenging personal journey, bringing years of experience and optimism for retaining key players like Braylon Braxton. Meanwhile, Ryan Beard’s rapid rise from Missouri State to Coastal Carolina’s top s...

Billy Napier impresses at the JMU press conference as he prepares to steer the Dukes’ football program into a new era. Will Napier’s blend of his own coaching philosophy and the established “JMU way” keep the team contending for Sun Belt East dominance? Dave Schultz spotlights Napier’s approach to staff transitions, transfer portal strategy, and recruiting, raising the stakes for player retention...

JMU football faces a rare situation: overlapping head coaches as Billy Napier steps in while Bob Chesney prepares the Dukes for their college playoff run. Could this unique handoff give JMU a competitive edge for spring ball and the transfer portal? Dave Schultz explores the unprecedented scenario, weighing the strategic benefits and potential pitfalls for both JMU and Tulane, who find themselves...

James Madison Dukes dominate the Sun Belt but stumble against Louisville—can their defensive grit carry them into elite territory in the College Football Playoffs?  JMU’s six second-half shutouts showcase their coaching prowess and in-game adjustments. Curious about their matchup against the powerhouse Oregon Ducks and the statistical showdown between the Sun Belt and Big Ten contenders? Dave Schu...

JMU crashes the College Football Playoff, shaking up the power structure and sending shockwaves through the national media. Can Alonza Barnett III and Head Coach Bob Chesney ride this momentum to a legendary upset over Oregon? Dave Schultz examines the Dukes’ defensive stand, strategic adjustments, and the matchup odds against the Big 10 powerhouse, questioning whether the narrative finally favors...

James Madison Dukes topple Troy Trojans to claim the 2025 Sun Belt Championship, powered by Wayne Knight’s explosive 212-yard rushing showcase. Can JMU punch their ticket to the College Football Playoff and prove the Group of Five deserves a shot at the big time? Dave Schultz breaks down JMU’s gritty win, analyzing Alonzo Barnett III’s uneven quarterback performance, the dominance of the Dukes’ de...

JMU Dukes shake up the college football scene by hiring former Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns head coach Billy Napier—can he restore his Sun Belt magic in Harrisonburg? Dave Schultz spotlights Napier’s coaching journey, dissecting his successes with the Cajuns, the quarterback controversies at Florida, and why his return makes waves for both JMU and the broader Sun Belt Conference. Schultz also breaks do...

James Madison Dukes break into the College Football Playoff rankings at No. 25, but can they beat the odds and secure a playoff spot? The conversation intensifies around JMU’s path, the committee’s shifting criteria, and the uphill battles they face against powerhouses like Alabama and Notre Dame. Dave Schultz questions the playoff committee’s rationale and highlights the fanbase’s surprisingly ma...

UCLA Bruins make a bold move by naming Bob Chesney as Head Football Coach, sparking debates about his fit and potential for instant success in the Big Ten. Can Chesney’s proven experience and recruitment prowess ignite a turnaround for a struggling UCLA program? Zach Anderson-Yoxsimer and Dave Schultz spotlight Chesney’s dynamic personality, game-changing second-half strategies, and impressive res...

JMU’s Bob Chesney lands the UCLA head coaching job, sparking fresh excitement in the college football landscape. Can the Pennsylvania native conquer West Coast recruiting and revive the Bruins vs Big Ten competition? Dave Schultz explores whether Chesney's rapid ascent—from Holy Cross to James Madison and now UCLA—signals a new era for blue-blood programs seeking hot G5 coaches. Key topics include...

Coastal Carolina fires Tim Beck despite three straight bowl appearances—can the Chanticleers recover from quarterback uncertainty and heavy losses to James Madison? Georgia Southern shakes up its defensive coaching staff while Clay Helton doubles down, signaling big changes after a season of inconsistent play. The episode highlights the Sun Belt’s volatile coaching carousel, the upcoming signing d...

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 bat...

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...

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-establ...

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 footb...

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...

In one of the most adrenaline-fueled Sun Belt matchups of the season, the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns secured a gritty 34-30 victory over Arkansas State, capped by a heart-pounding goal-line stand. Momentum swung wildly throughout the contest, with turnovers and coaching decisions shaping every quarter. Early on, the game’s complexion was transformed by a series of unexpected fumbles and opportunistic...

College Football Playoff committee stirs controversy with shifting criteria—will fan outrage force a change? Dave Schultz spotlights head-scratching ranking inconsistencies affecting JMU, Tulane, Miami, Notre Dame, and Alabama, questioning whether strength of schedule and losses are being applied fairly across the board. With the Sun Belt having James Madison in the mix, is it time for greater tra...

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 s...

GEORGIA SOUTHERN EAGLES surge to three wins in four games behind OJ ARNOLD's explosive 267-yard rushing performance in a 45-40 shootout against COASTAL CAROLINA. Can the Eagles finish 7-5 after their disastrous 2-4 start? DAVE SCHULTZ breaks down Week 12 Sun Belt Conference action, analyzing GEORGIA SOUTHERN's remarkable turnaround under CLAY HELTON, SOUTH ALABAMA JAGUARS' comeback victory over UL...

JMU Dukes demolish App State 58-10 to clinch the Sun Belt East division championship. Can the Dukes make a legitimate College Football Playoff push? Dave Schultz breaks down James Madison's dominant defensive performance that held Appalachian State to just 29 yards through three quarters, plus Jobi Malary's explosive three-touchdown outing. The analysis covers Southern Miss's shocking 41-14 collap...

Sun Belt Conference football enters Week 12 with trap and let-down games lurking and upset potential brewing across multiple matchups. Can SOUTHERN MISS maintain their five-game winning streak against a desperate TEXAS STATE squad that's lost five straight but remains dangerously competitive? Host DAVE SCHULTZ breaks down the most precarious situations facing conference contenders, including JMU's...

SOUTHERN MISS GOLDEN EAGLES stun the Sun Belt with CHARLES HUFF's historic turnaround. Can they reach 10 wins and claim Coach of the Year honors? Host DAVE SCHULTZ breaks down SOUTHERN MISS FOOTBALL's remarkable transformation from 1-11 to a potential 10-2 finish, highlighting quarterback BRAYLON BRAXTON's impact and the nation's best interception rate. The discussion covers ODU MONARCHS versus TR...

CHARLES HUFF transforms SOUTHERN MISS from 1-11 to a championship contender. Does his historic turnaround trump BOB CHESNEY's dominant JMU season for the SUN BELT Coach of the Year? DAVE SCHULTZ breaks down why expectations matter most in coaching awards, comparing HUFF's remarkable SOUTHERN MISS GOLDEN EAGLES rebuild to CHESNEY's JAMES MADISON DUKES dominance. The analysis covers CONFERENCE USA's...