Red Wolf Report's 2026 Sun Belt Football Preview
The Sun Belt Conference has spent the last several years building a reputation as the nation’s premier Group of Five football league, and the 2026 season could be one of its most competitive yet.
Defending champion James Madison enters the season as the conference favorite, but there is little separation between the top tier of the league and a large group of programs capable of reaching bowl games. The conference has produced multiple 10-win teams for eight consecutive seasons and continues to boast one of the strongest bowl winning percentages among non-Power Four conferences.
For Arkansas State, the opportunity is there.
The Red Wolves are coming off a bowl season and appear positioned to challenge for a spot in the upper half of the West Division. However, replacing quarterback Jaylen Raynor and navigating one of the league’s deepest divisions will determine whether Arkansas State becomes a championship contender or simply another bowl team.
Here’s a team-by-team look at the 2026 Sun Belt Conference.
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