Sun Belt football teams open the 2026 season with three key matchups

Sun Belt conference teams begin their 2026 campaigns on Saturday, September 5, with several programs debuting new coaching staffs and quarterbacks. Coastal Carolina travels to Morgantown to face West Virginia under new head coach Ryan Beard, while Marshall visits Penn State to open against a Nittany Lions team led by head coach Matt Campbell. Additionally, Liberty faces James Madison in a meeting of programs currently finalizing their respective starting quarterback positions. James Madison enters the year under new leadership after the departure of former head coach Bob Chesney and the transfer of quarterback Alonza Barnett III. These Week 1 games serve as early indicators for teams navigating significant roster turnover and coaching transitions. All three contests are scheduled for Saturday afternoon, providing a look at several programs aiming to improve on their previous season records.

• 8:00 PMYahoo Sports — Top Sun Belt Games to Watch in Week 1