2026-27 CUSA, MAC and Sun Belt Football Conference Previews: Rounding Out the G6
Written by: Nate Hornung
Published: Sun Aug 16, 2026, 4:15 pm ET
Read Time: 6 minutes
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We have have knocked out seven conference previews for the upcoming NCAA Football season that are linked below. As we approach the start of Week 0, let's squish the last three into one article. Each of these conferences will be highlighted at some point this season with stand alone, nationally televised contests on weekdays, so you know we'll get more familiar throughout the year. Here's our NCAA Football conference preview for the CUSA, the MAC, and the Sun Belt leagues.
Read our other NCAA Football Conference Previews
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Conference USA NCAA Football Preview
Caden Creel ran for over 1,000 yards last year for the Gamecocks.
There will be plenty of C-USA action on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for the month of October, with the MAC taking over midweek action in November, giving these G6 conferences some national attention. The C-USA is now just a 10 team league, losing UTEP and Louisiana Tech this past offseason.
Teams will still only play eight conference contests, avoiding one team from the league during the regular season.
Odds to Win the C-USA Conference
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- Liberty +250
- Western Kentucky +275
- Jacksonville State +450
- Delaware +700
- FIU +1000
- Kennesaw State +1000
- New Mexico State +2500
- Missouri State +2500
- Middle Tennessee +5000
- Sam Houston +7500
There's lots of turnover in this league as only Liberty and Delaware return double digit starters. If I had to place something, it would be on one of these top four teams, I wouldn't bother looking further down the odds board. Nothing jumps out to me to wager on in this league, but look for me to be hammering Jacksonville State rushing props all season long.
Mid-American Conference NCAA Football Preview
Broc Lowry led the Broncos to a MAC Championship last season. Do we think he can do it again?
The MAC lost Northern Illinois who ran off to the Mountain West, but added the UMass Minutemen last season, and the new FBS Sacramento State Hornets this year. Despite now being a 13 team league, the MAC will still only play eight conference games.
Odds to Win the MAC Conference
- Western Michigan +300
- Miami (OH) +350
- Toledo +400
- Ohio +600
- Central Michigan +700
- Eastern Michigan +1200
- Bowling Green +1500
- Buffalo +1800
- Akron +2500
- Kent State +5000
- Sacramento State +5000
- Ball State +8000
- Massachusetts +15000
I like Western Michigan to Win the MAC again this year, but shop around as there is a +420 number out there. They return seven offensive starters to a team that was No. 16 in rushing yards per game last year, including three O-Linemen, RB Jalen Buckley (1,003 yards, 9 touchdowns) and QB Broc Lowry (963 rushing yards, 14 TDs). The Broncos also get back their second and third leading receivers.
This MAC team was top 10 in points allowed last year as well. Probably because their offense let them rest as they ran down the clock and punished the opponent's defense. They should have the same game plan this year with the best OL, QB and RB in the conference. Plus, they likely have the second best defense as well.
They split their toughest matchups, playing Toledo on the road and Miami (OH) at home. I could see 2-0, but even if they go 1-1, look for them to get their revenge in the MAC Championship, where we will be holding a great number.
Sun Belt Conference NCAA Football Preview
George Pettaway took a back up role last year, but he is now the starting RB for the Dukes
The Sun Belt is the only conference in college football that still uses divisions, with each winner meeting in the conference championship, rather than the top two teams overall. Thus, if you are firing multiple bullets on Sun Belt teams to win the league, might I suggest taking teams from opposing divisions, or being super confident that the East representative will beat the West, or vice versa.
The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs joined the Sun Belt in place of Texas State, who departed for the Pac-12.
Odds to Win the Sun Belt Conference
- James Madison +225
- Old Dominion +450
- Troy +750
- Louisiana +750
- Arkansas State +1000
- Louisiana Tech +1000
- Marshall +1000
- South Alabama +1200
- Appalachian State +1800
- Georgia Southern +2500
- Coastal Carolina +5000
- Southern Mississippi +6000
- Louisiana Monroe +10000
- Georgia State +15000
After the Dukes made the College Football Playoff last year (don't ask how it went), they are the betting favorite to win the Sun Belt once again. The Old Dominion Monarchs are right behind them, coming from the East as well, but the next four listed all come from the West. Will JMU and ODU duke it out to see who represents their side of the conference?
The three best overall defensive units in the conference all come from the East, in App State, JMU and Old Dominion. Offensively I think the Mountaineers are best equipped to score in bunches, and they do get the other two listed teams at home this year. My money would stay with the top two teams to win the Sun Belt this season, but neither will be good enough to make the Field of 12.
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Nate has been a recreational sports bettor for about 5 years. In that time, he has grown to love the pursuit of winners and sticking it to The Man. Nate loves data and uses his understanding of numbers to help him be a more profitable sports gambler, however he will be the first to tell you this game is about more than just stats.
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