The finish line is getting closer in the Sun Belt Conference.

The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs are close to wrapping up the West race, while waiting to see if Georgia Southern is as good as it seems in recent weeks.

Both are preparing for an opponent with some bitterness involved. Georgia Southern is facing Georgia State. The Eagles have won three in a row, including a 41-24 win last season, but the all-time series is tied at 6-6.

The Bulldogs are hosting Southern Miss - formerly in the same conference. Tech won last year's non-conference meeting 30-20 and the Eagles won the previous meeting 35-19 in 2021. Southern Miss leads the all-time series 8-6..

The next level of importance is bowl eligibility for those programs no longer competing to reach the Sun Belt championship game. UL achieved that last week with the win over South Alabama. Interestingly enough, Georgia Southern is in first place in the East race and still hasn't gotten to six wins yet.

The East battle between Appalachian State and Marshall will get one team bowl eligible with both teams at 5-4 overall and 2-3 in league play.

While Georgia Southern has bigger aspirations in mind, both the Eagles and Georgia State are both 5-4 overall.

The West Division battle between Troy and South Alabama is also critical in that quest for bowl eligibility with both team 4-5 overall and 2-3 in league play.

So unless a team gets very hot, it's looking like eight might be the highest number of bowl eligible teams for the league, especially if the four-win teams - Arkansas State, Troy and South Alabama - don't win this week.

1. Louisiana Tech

Record: 7-2, 5-0.

Last week: Defeated Troy, 41-17.

This week: vs. Southern Miss, 4 p.m., ESPN-Plus.

Extra points: Truthfully, the win over Troy wasn't one of Tech's best offensive performances. The defense was the driving force, recovering four fumbles, intercepting a pass and limiting Troy to 47 yards rushing. Also true is none of those numbers mean what they did a month ago. All that matters for the Bulldogs is they keep winning, because they basically have a three-game lead on the field in the West because of the 14-point, fourth-quarter lead UL let slip away in Ruston.

2. James Madison

Record: 8-2, 5-2.

Last week: Defeated Southern Miss, 54-23.

This week: At Connecticut, 11 a.m., CBSN.

Extra points: After a two-interception game in the Dukes' home loss to Troy, the Dukes reversed the roles of their modified two-quarterback system with the athletic JC Evans taking the lead role over pocket passer Camden Coleman, and it worked. Evans was 19-of-26 passing for 251 yards and a score, in addition to rushing for 47 yards and three touchdowns. Defensively, JMU shut down the surging Southern Miss rushing attack to the tune of 88 yards and also collected four sacks in the redemption win.

3. Georgia Southern

Record: 5-4, 4-1.

Last week: Defeated Marshall, 49-13.

This week: At Georgia State, 2:30 p.m. ESPN-Plus.

Extra points: The No. 2 spot in these rankings is a tricky deal at this point in the season. On one hand, Georgia Southern is alone in first place in the standings. On the other, the Eagles have three fewer wins than James Madison and also lost to the Dukes. If the Eagles can win their final three games - two on road and home game vs. Louisiana Tech - they're likely leap up to the No. 1 spot. For now, still have a lot to prove.

4. Louisiana

Record: 6-3, 3-2.

Last week: Defeated South Alabama, 28-26.

This week: At ULM, 8 p.m., Thursday, ESPN-Plus.

Extra points: So far this season, the Cajuns have responded to every disappointing performance with a redemption win. Now comes the chore of handling a short week after a physical game against South Alabama. The passing game remains a question mark and the running backs stable is down to two. Of course, if JJ Garner is as good as he's looked over the last six weeks, maybe giving him more carries could end up being a blessing. The defense had its moments in the win, but still must prevent quick scoring drives after the offense scores. This team tends to keep momentum too short-lived.

5. Georgia State

Record: 5-4, 2-3.

Last week: Defeated Appalachian State, 39-23.

This week: vs. Georgia Southern, 2:30 p.m., ESPN-Plus.

Extra points: Perhaps it was too early to totally dismiss Georgia State's early-season run. The Panthers bounced back with a convincing 39-23 win over App State to heighten their chances at bowl eligibility. Even more interesting is last week's win came with backup quarterback Ayden Pereira still playing. He was only 10-of-17 passing for 115 yards, but for three touchdowns. Defensively, Georgia State limited the Mountaineers to 59 yards and dominated the time of possession. Now the Panthers only need one more win to get bowl eligible, but at Marshall and UL at home are their final two games if they can't knock off Georgia Southern this weekend.

6. South Alabama

Record: 4-5, 2-3.

This week: Lost at Louisiana, 28-26.

Next week: vs. Troy, 6 p.m., ESPN-Plus.

Extra points: The bad news is the Jaguars just lost two straight games to Louisiana Tech and UL. Compared to several other teams around the league, the good news is they didn't look bad at all in doing so. If not for a late-game interception by UL linebacker Micah Johnson, all signs pointed to a game-winning South Alabama field goal in the final minute. After all, Dylan Freebury looked like an NFL kicker in making his 44 and 50-yard field goals earlier in the game. South Alabama was hurt by nine penalties for 65 yards and giving up 312 yards rushing to the Cajuns, but Troy's running game doesn't appear that potent. Running the table looks realistic for the Jags, if they stay away from the flags and turnovers.

7. Appalachian State

Record: 5-4, 2-3.

Last week: Lost to Georgia State, 39-23.

This week: At Marshall, 5 p.m., ESPN-Plus.

Extra points: Well, there's no more giving the Mountaineers the benefit of the doubt. They have a few really good wins, but the losses are really bad. Once again, they got dominated on the line of scrimmage. Georgia State won the time of possession battle 37:14-22:41 and forced three App State turnovers. Quarterback Malachi Singleton still put up pretty numbers with 241 yards and two scores, but the Panthers led comfortably throughout the game with their backup quarterback.

8. Marshall

Record: 5-4, 2-3.

Last week: Lost at Georgia Southern, 49-13.

This week: vs. Appalachian State, 5 p.m., ESPN-Plus.

Extra points: Every time it appears the Thundering Herd might have figured something out, they post a dud. Marshall trailed 42-7 early in the fourth quarter, despite touchdown runs of 45 and 66 yards on its way to 412 total yards. First downs and time of possession were even, but the offense gave up a 24-yard interception return and Georgia Southern quarterback Max Johnson threw four touchdown passes, including long ones from 70 and 45 yards. The good news for Marshall and App State, the winner of this game gets bowl eligible. The loser will have some work to do.

9. Troy

Record: 4-5, 2-3.

Last game: Lost to Louisiana Tech, 41-17.

Next game: Troy at South Alabama, 6 p.m., ESPN-Plus.

Extra points: It wasn't quite as much a mismatch as the final score showed. The Trojans actually only trailed 20-17 in the third quarter, but five turnovers was just too much for Troy to overcome against a team as solid as Louisiana Tech. At this point, the Trojans are going to need an inspired effort - like the flourish at James Madison a few weeks ago - to even get bowl eligible. The Jags are playing well and their one home game is red-hot Georgia Southern. With backup quarterback Tucker Kilcrease playing again last week, the Trojans were only 3-of-15 on third down and only ran for 47 yards.

10. Arkansas State

Record: 4-5, 2-3.

Last week: Lost to ULM, 19-17.

This week: At Coastal Carolina, Noon, ESPN-Plus.

Extra points: Much like the Cajuns over the last month, Arkansas State fans had to leave games wondering, 'What in the world just happened?' First, they lost a wild 56-49 game at South Alabama and then lost a 19-17 decision to ULM last Saturday. Quarterback Trey Owens threw for 193 yards and ran for 67 more in that game. The Red Wolves also were 7-of-13 on conversion downs and still lost. Coastal has been struggling of late as well, Arkansas State better win this one in its pursuit of bowl eligibility, because its in Ruston next week.

11. Southern Miss

Record: 3-6, 2-3.

Last week: Lost to James Madison, 54-23.

This week: At Louisiana Tech, 4 p.m., ESPN-Plus

Extra points: The Golden Eagles have certainly made a ton of progress this season, especially since the 55-34 loss at Troy on Oct. 6. The first sign was holding Arkansas State to 305 total yards in a 23-13 loss, but then defeated UL and ULM. Perhaps the Eagles were simply at the wrong place at the wrong time having to play James Madison on a two-game losing streak. Unfortunately, the schedule doesn't get any easier at West leader Louisiana Tech on Saturday. The running game still had its moments last week, and new starting quarterback John White did throw for 266 yards in the loss. We'll see how much the Eagles have left.

12. Old Dominion

Record: 3-7, 2-5.

Last week: Defeated Coastal Carolina, 21-8.

This week: Open date.

Extra points: It's been an overall very disappointing season for Old Dominion. But two of the more surprising final scores this season came from the Monarchs, who won at Appalachian State in a rainstorm earlier this season, before forcing six turnovers and winning at Coastal by two touchdowns. Both quarterbacks played and neither one posted glittering numbers - Jaxon Potter threw for 150 and a score and Quinn Henicle was 4-for-4 for 45 yards. Defensively, the Monarchs limited Coastal to 20 yards rushing but too little, too late. With only two games left, bowl eligibility is out of the picture.

13. ULM

Record: 2-7, 2-3.

Last week: Defeated Arkansas State, 19-17.

This week: vs. Louisiana, 8 p.m., ESPN2.

Extra points: ULM coach Bryant Vincent never talked like a coach who had any give-up in him, so it shouldn't surprise as many as it did to see the Warhawks win two of three games. Abram Murray's game-winning, 40-yard field goal with 1:49 left earned the road win over Arkansas State. Moving forward, the best signs were running quarterback Austin Carlisle rushing for 111 yards on 19 carries and defensively, limiting the Red Wolves to 120 yards rushing. ULM's improved defense also helped to muddy up the game with both teams throwing two interceptions. Now ULM is hoping to carry that momentum into a Thursday's home game with rival UL.

14. Coastal Carolina

Record: 3-6, 2-3.

Last week: Lost to Old Dominion 21-8.

This week: vs. Arkansas State, Noon, ESPN-Plus.

Extra points: Every coach fears a nightmare game that turns into a turnover-fest. That's what happened to the Chanticleers last Saturday against Old Dominion. Coastal threw four interceptions - three by starting quarterback Deuce Bailey, who did throw for 273 yards. The Chants also fumbled twice, so the Monarchs enjoyed a plus-5 turnover ratio day. It made for an ugly game and an ugly loss for Coastal, who only posted 263 total yards while giving up 264 to the Monarchs, who had a four-minute edge in time of possession. Coastal fans aren't making bowl plans with trips to UL and James Madison to finish out the season.

PREDICTION

UL 24, ULM 17

This one is hard to handicap. Yes, the Warhawks have struggled in recent years, but not in recent weeks. Also, they almost always play UL tougher than you think. They were on a long losing streak last year too and outplayed the Cajuns for most of the game in the finale in Lafayette, before falling 30-27 in overtime. This time, ULM has won two of three and the defense has shown recent upgrade. The Cajuns' offensive line pushed around South Alabama's front. If they can do that again, UL might avoid much of the drama. Both teams had a 100-yard rusher last week and both passing games are roller coaster rides. Typically, Thursday games tend to favor the home team, so it's going to require a gutsy effort from the Cajuns. Shelton Sampson caught his first TD of the season last week. The Cajuns need that to be the start of something. The other Cajuns' hope is for this recent JJ Garner tidal wave to just be picking up steam.