The 2022 Sun Belt Championship Game promises to be an exciting showdown between the Troy Trojans and the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers. Can the Trojans win a conference title for the first time since 2017? Or will the Chanticleers recapture the crown they shared with Louisiana in 2020? We’ve got all the latest college football betting odds ahead of the game, plus a Coastal Carolina vs. Troy prediction.
Coastal Carolina vs. Troy Odds
All Coastal Carolina vs. Troy odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Nov. 30.
- Spread: Troy (-8.5)
- Moneyline: Troy (-365); Coastal Carolina (+260)
- Over/Under: 48
Coming off a comprehensive hammering by James Madison and with the status of star quarterback Grayson McCall up in the air, it’s easy to see why the Coastal Carolina vs. Troy odds are heavily skewed in favor of the Trojans for this 2022 Sun Belt Championship Game. The Chanticleers have won twice as a moneyline underdog this year (Appalachian State and Marshall), but doing so without McCall might be a step too far.
From a betting perspective, Troy has been one of the most successful programs at covering the spread through the 2022 college football season. The Trojans have covered in 75% of their games, with a 9-3 record. Meanwhile, they’re undefeated this season when they’re a moneyline favorite. Their two defeats came as an underdog against Appalachian State and in the season opener against Ole Miss.
MORE: Troy Trojans Depth Chart
Historically, clashes between the two teams have been extremely high scoring. Only the 2017 edition totaled less than 60 points — and that was a 42-17 win for the Trojans in Conway. All but one of Coastal Carolina’s games this season have surpassed the 48-point line, and Troy’s last two games both surpassed 50 points.
However, seven of Troy’s games have failed to tally more than the 2022 Sun Belt over/under line due to their stingy defense and inconsistent offense. Without beating a broken drum, the potential for this game to pass the over/under line diminishes without McCall leading the Chanticleers’ offense. Which brings us to our Coastal Carolina vs. Troy prediction…
Prediction for Coastal Carolina vs. Troy in the Sun Belt Championship Game
The 2022 Sun Belt Championship brings together the West division champion Trojans and the second-place team in the East, Coastal Carolina. Although the Chanticleers finished behind James Madison, the FCS-to-FBS transition rules prevent the Dukes from being eligible for a conference title or any form of postseason bid. The game marks the first time that the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns haven’t been the West division representative since the Sun Belt moved to a championship game.
What a college football season it’s been for Troy. Under first-year coach Jon Sumrall, the Trojans have enjoyed a level of success that hasn’t been seen at the program since Neal Brown left following the 2018 season or since the mid-to-late 2000s when the program was a regular fixture at the top of the Sun Belt.
Their success this season has been built on an imposing defensive unit that features multiple 2023 NFL Draft prospects. Remarkably, Troy ranks eighth in the nation for scoring defense, allowing just 16.8 points a game. Meanwhile, they rank 16th nationally for total defense and lead the Sun Belt in passing defense.
The Trojans have playmakers at every level of defense. Will Choloh Jr. leads an impressive interior, while Richard Jibunor and T.J. Jackson have made the opposing backfield their home. Star linebacker Carlton Martial has become the leading tackler in NCAA history during this impressive run, while Reddy Steward has helped enforce a no-fly zone in the secondary.
The defense has been disruptive and dangerous all season long, but the offense has really picked up the pace in recent weeks. Putting the ball in the hands of Kimani Vidal has paid serious dividends, with the junior running back surpassing 1,000 yards thanks to consecutive weeks with 200+ yards. Six of his nine touchdowns have come in the last two games.
MORE: Coastal Carolina Chanticleers Depth Chart
However, don’t sleep on RaJae’ Johnson-Sanders being an impact-maker for the Troy offense in the 2022 Sun Belt Championship Game. The former UAB wide receiver is coming off the back of a performance against Arkansas State that saw him average 33.7 yards per catch, tallying his first 100+ yard game of the season on just three receptions.
His battle with a Coastal Carolina secondary that contains Shrine Bowl-bound cornerback Lance Boykin and the highly rated D’Jordan Strong has the potential to make or break this game wide open. Boykin is a long, 6’3″ defensive back with impressive speed taking on a 6’4″, 215-pound pass-catching weapon in Johnson-Sanders.
The Chanticleers have given up the most passing yards in the Sun Belt this fall, allowing just shy of 29 points per game. Only one team has scored less than 20 points on Coastal this season, with Old Dominion and James Madison racking up 40+ in the Chanticleers’ only two defeats of the season.
No matter how much the defense has struggled, they’ve been able to overcome those issues offensively behind McCall, the mulleted magician. He’s been able to muster up wins as if from nowhere, utilizing the talents of wide receivers Sam Pinckney, Tyson Mobley, and Jared Brown. His mere presence as a dual threat helps running backs CJ Beasley and Reese White to thrive.
With McCall under center, the Chanticleers could win the 2022 Sun Belt Championship Game. Without him, it feels unlikely. The Troy defense should prove too strong, while it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Trojans running back Vidal enjoy the sort of career day that Blake Watson achieved when Old Dominion had their way with the Chanticleers’ defense in mid-October.
Coastal Carolina vs. Troy Prediction: Coastal Carolina 19, Troy 27