{
  "id": 5401403,
  "title": "Top Sun Belt Games to Watch in Week 1",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/top-sun-belt-games-to-watch-in-week-1",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-03T20:00:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/top-sun-belt-games-watch-200005178.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Week 1 of the college football season kicks off with several high-profile Sun Belt matchups. Coastal Carolina faces West Virginia in Morgantown, as the Chanticleers aim to kick off their new era under head coach Ryan Beard. With no starting quarterback announced, the battle between Deuce Bailey, Tre Guerra, Trever Jackson, Osiris Lopez, and Luke McBride will be decided on game day. Meanwhile, West Virginia, favored by 21 points, plans to retire Pat White's No. 5 jersey before kickoff.\n\nIn another high-stakes game, Marshall takes on Penn State, where head coach Matt Campbell brings in 24 transfers from Iowa State, including key player Rocco Becht. Marshall, coming off a 5-7 season, will face a formidable Penn State defense led by Carlos Del Rio-Wilson, who provides a significant threat both on the ground and through the air.\n\nLiberty and James Madison also feature in a crucial matchup. Liberty, with a 6.5-point favorite, faces a roster and coaching staff with significant turnover. Neither quarterback is officially announced, but JC Evans and Camden Coleman are competing for the starting role. Meanwhile, James Madison, a 6.5-point favorite, will aim to capitalize on a roster change that includes new head coach Billy Napier and quarterback Alonza Barnett III.\n\nThe Sun Belt season is set to kick off with an array of exciting contests, as teams across the region strive for a successful start to their campaigns.",
  "summary": "As Week 1 of the college football season begins, there are several teams in the Sun Belt that will have big games to open up their season. These are the top Sun Belt games to watch, as these will be big tests for these teams out of the gate. Top Sun Belt Games to Watch …",
  "key_points": [
    "Coastal Carolina vs West Virginia, game to decide starting QB",
    "Marshall faces Penn State with 24 transfers, including Rocco Becht",
    "Liberty and James Madison in crucial Sun Belt matchup"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}