The Sun Belt Conference continues to raise its profile as three of its Week 4 games have been elevated to linear networks. Marshall's highly anticipated matchup with Ohio State will be broadcast on FOX, while two other contests will be shown on the CBS Sports Network.
As the Sun Belt Conference continues to ascend in the college football landscape, three of its Week 4 games have been elevated to linear networks, a testament to the growing stature of the conference.
Sun Belt Football Gets National Spotlight with Three Games on Linear Networks
The headline matchup of the week will be Marshall's trip to Columbus to face the No. 1-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes. The game will kick off at 12:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. CT on FOX and will be the Thundering Herd's first appearance on a major television network since 2018.
Despite being separated by less than 150 miles, the Marshall-Ohio State matchup will be the first-ever meeting between the two programs. The Thundering Herd, under the leadership of first-year head coach Charles Huff, will look to make a statement against the defending national champions.
In addition to the Marshall-Ohio State game, two other Sun Belt contests will be broadcast on the CBS Sports Network. Appalachian State, the defending Sun Belt East Division champions, will host The Citadel at 3:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. CT, while South Alabama will welcome Louisiana at 7:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. CT.
Appalachian State, ranked No. 20 in the FCS Coaches Poll, will be making its first appearance on a linear network since 2019. The Mountaineers are led by quarterback Chase Brice, who transferred from Clemson in 2021.
South Alabama, meanwhile, will be seeking its first win of the season against Louisiana. The Jaguars, who were picked to finish third in the Sun Belt West Division, have dropped their first two games of the year. Louisiana, on the other hand, is coming off a thrilling 35-31 win over Southeastern Louisiana in its season opener.
The Sun Belt Conference has been making waves in recent years, with its teams winning bowl games and receiving national recognition. The elevation of these three games to linear networks is a further indication of the conference's growing stature.
* The Marshall-Ohio State game will be the first time a Sun Belt team has faced a No. 1-ranked opponent since 2013.
* Appalachian State has won 10 consecutive games at home.
* South Alabama is looking to snap a two-game losing streak.
* Louisiana is seeking its second straight victory.
* The Sun Belt Conference has two teams ranked in the top 25 of the FCS Coaches Poll: Appalachian State and Marshall.
* The Sun Belt has won three bowl games in the past three seasons.
* The conference has produced several NFL Draft picks in recent years, including Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase.
* The Sun Belt is one of the fastest-growing conferences in college football.
* The conference has expanded to 14 teams in recent years and is expected to add Troy and Southern Miss in 2023.
* The Sun Belt Championship Game will be played on December 2 in Mobile, Alabama.
