With the 2025 college football season approaching, Sun Belt teams are preparing for a mix of regional rivalries and high-stakes road games. Several nonconference matchups stand out, giving Sun Belt programs a chance to grab national attention.
Here’s a look at the top five games fans won’t want to miss.
Troy at Clemson (Sept. 6)
Troy finished 4–8 overall in 2024 and 3–5 in Sun Belt play. The Trojans are 0–2 all-time against Clemson, with their most recent meeting coming in 2016—a competitive 30–24 loss in Death Valley. This will be Troy’s first regular-season game against an ACC opponent since that 2016 contest. Most recently, they faced Duke in the 2023 Birmingham Bowl, falling 17–10.
Tickets are on sale for our September visit to Clemson … sales are open to Troy season ticket holders and Trojan Warrior Club members.
🎟️ – https://t.co/HuUzYc35wa
📰 – https://t.co/ly3gECRmGm#BattleReady | #OneTROY ⚔️🏈 pic.twitter.com/3i39D3VmIh— Troy Trojans Football 8x⚔️ (@TroyTrojansFB) June 2, 2025
Troy holds a 0–10 all-time record against current ACC members. The offense faces the challenge of rebuilding after losing seven skill players to the transfer portal, including the top two quarterbacks. Clemson counters with veteran quarterback Cade Klubnik and a defense loaded with NFL talent. It is a daunting road trip, but a chance for Troy to make an early-season statement.
Coastal Carolina at Virginia (Aug. 30)
Coastal Carolina finished 6–7 in 2024, including a 3–5 mark in Sun Belt play. The Chanticleers opened last season with their first-ever matchup against Virginia, falling 43–24 in Charlottesville. That loss dropped Coastal’s all-time record against ACC opponents to 0–2. Their other loss came against Clemson in 2009 while the program was still in the FCS.
Mark ’em down
New season tickets ➡️ https://t.co/pRdZbnGxBD
Renew season tickets ➡️https://t.co/uLP6IU5X1c pic.twitter.com/zpGFgZvtcx— Coastal Football (@CoastalFootball) May 29, 2025
Coastal enters the season with a new quarterback and an offense that lost the majority of its 2024 production from that position. Virginia, coming off a 5–7 season overall, had no back rush for over 500 yards in 2024. The rematch gives Coastal a shot at redemption and a chance to earn its first win over an ACC team
ULM at Alabama (Sept. 6)
ULM finished the 2024 season at 5–7 overall and 3–5 in Sun Belt play. The Warhawks are 1–3 all-time against Alabama, with their lone victory being a stunning 21–14 upset in 2007—Nick Saban’s first season with the Crimson Tide. It remains one of the most shocking wins in ULM history.
Against the SEC, ULM holds a 4–53–1 all-time record. The program is currently on a 17-game losing streak against the conference, with its last win coming in 2012—a 34–31 overtime victory against Arkansas. Leading rusher Ahmed Hardy, who rushed for over 1,300 yards as a freshman, has left for Missouri. Alabama counters with cornerback Domani Jackson, who will return for his senior season, while quarterback Jalen Milroe was drafted in the 2025 NFL Draft. For ULM, it’s another massive challenge—and a rare opportunity to make headlines
Georgia Southern at USC (Sept. 6)
Georgia Southern finished the 2024 season at 8–5 overall and 6–2 in Sun Belt play. This will be the Eagles’ first-ever meeting with USC. Against current Big Ten opponents, Georgia Southern is 1–3—their lone win came in a 45–42 road upset over Nebraska in 2022.
Head coach Clay Helton spent eight seasons at USC from 2015 to 2021, compiling a 46–24 record. He led the Trojans to a 2016 Rose Bowl win and the 2017 Pac-12 title. Under his leadership, USC won 12 games over AP Top‑25 teams and reached three conference championship games. His return to Los Angeles marks a full-circle moment.
On the field, linebacker Marques Watson-Trent, who was the 2024 Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year, is no longer with the Eagles after transferring to Nebraska via the transfer portal. The Eagles will face a USC offense powered by a talented quarterback room and elite receivers. With Helton back in USC territory, this game carries extra storyline weight.
Marshall at Georgia (Aug. 30)
Marshall concluded the 2024 season with a 10–3 record, securing the Sun Belt Conference title. However, the Thundering Herd withdrew from their scheduled Independence Bowl matchup against Army due to significant roster depletion. Following head coach Charles Huff’s departure to Southern Miss, over 25 players entered the transfer portal, leaving Marshall unable to field a team that met NCAA safety standards. The Sun Belt Conference subsequently fined Marshall $100,000 for the late withdrawal.
This will be just the second meeting between Marshall and Georgia. The first occurred in 2004, where the Herd fell 13–3 in Athens. Overall, Marshall holds a 1–9 all-time record against current SEC opponents, with their sole victory coming in 1998 against South Carolina during a season that culminated in their first bowl win. This matchup marks Marshall’s first game against an SEC team since a 33–7 loss to Tennessee in 2006.
𝑯𝒆𝒓𝒅 𝑭𝒂𝒏𝒔: 𝑴𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑷𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒔!!
Marshall opens the season with a 3:30 p.m. ESPN game at Georgia on Aug. 30 & the Herd’s first two home games (Sept. 6 & 13) are set for 6 p.m. at The Joan!
🔗: https://t.co/HRnHLSU5SL
🎟️: https://t.co/rGnUBeCYcy pic.twitter.com/jWXIyBYWlV— Marshall Football (@HerdFB) May 29, 2025
Marshall enters the season looking to rebuild its offense after losing key contributors. Georgia will have to replace quarterback Carson Beck, who transferred to Miami via the transfer portal. The Bulldogs remain national title contenders, making this a major early test for the Sun Belt champions.
Other top nonconference matchups:
- South Alabama at Auburn (Sept. 13): First-ever meeting between the programs and looking for second victory all-time against the SEC
- Iowa State at Arkansas State (Sept. 13): This is a rematch from last season and just the second time a Big 12 team has traveled to Jonesboro since Oklahoma State in 2006
- Old Dominion at Virginia Tech (Sept. 13): Fourth straight meeting between the programs and seventh overall with the Monarchs winning twice since 2017
- Texas State at Arizona State (Sept. 13): This is a rematch from a 31-28 home loss last season as the Bobcats look to improve on their 1-11 record against the Big 12
- Memphis at Troy (Sept. 13): This is a rematch from last season, the first between the programs since 1941, looking for their first win in the series since the first meeting in 1937.
About The Author
