Written by Sports Desk Team
Updated: 30 November 2025
The race through the Sun Belt Conference is officially over. With the East Division locked up by the James Madison Dukes and the West settled after Troy’s 28–18 win over Southern Miss on 29 November (USA time), the 2025 Sun Belt Championship Game matchup is now confirmed: James Madison vs. Troy on Friday night.
James Madison crushed Coastal Carolina 59–10 to complete an undefeated 8–0 Sun Belt campaign, while Troy handled business on the road at Southern Miss to clinch the West. It means a heavyweight East vs. West showdown is set, with the title game heading to Harrisonburg.
For live standings and official updates, the Sun Belt Conference football page and the NCAA’s college football hub provide the latest results and rankings.
If you’re following multiple conference races, you can also read our full guide to the 2025 ACC Championship Game contenders and tiebreakers .
2025 Sun Belt Championship Game – Quick Facts
Date: Friday, 5 December 2025
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. CT
Venue: Home stadium of the team with the best Sun Belt record – James Madison (East champion and host)
Matchup: James Madison Dukes (East champions, 8–0 Sun Belt) vs. Troy Trojans (West champions)
TV (US): ESPN
Current picture in the Sun Belt
The East Division race is done and dusted, and now the West has joined it. James Madison completed a perfect run through the conference, while Troy used their 28–18 victory at Southern Miss on 29 November to shut the door on any late drama.
- James Madison Dukes – East Division champions, 8–0 in Sun Belt play, and confirmed hosts of the championship game.
- Troy Trojans – West Division champions after beating Southern Miss 28–18 to clinch their spot opposite James Madison.
- Southern Miss Golden Eagles – eliminated from the West race after the home loss to Troy.
With both divisions decided, there are no more ifs or buts – the only thing left is to see whether Troy can derail James Madison’s perfect conference season on the road.
How the Sun Belt Championship selection works
The Sun Belt still uses a divisional structure: the East Division champion plays the West Division champion in the title game. The championship is hosted by the team with the better conference record across both divisions.
If the division winners finish with identical conference marks, tiebreakers such as head-to-head, record against common opponents and rankings come into play to determine the host. For 2025, James Madison’s undefeated 8–0 league record has already put the Dukes firmly in control of home-field advantage.
James Madison: undefeated East champion and championship host
James Madison enter championship week with every major box ticked: they are confirmed East Division champions, locked into the 2025 Sun Belt Championship Game, and set to host it after a dominant regular season capped by a 59–10 demolition of Coastal Carolina.
James Madison’s situation now:
- East Division title secured and championship berth confirmed.
- Home-field advantage for the title game earned via a perfect Sun Belt record.
- Riding big momentum after a blowout win to close out conference play.
For Dukes fans, the focus has shifted from getting in to protecting home turf, finishing an unbeaten league run and adding another statement win to their postseason résumé.
Troy: West champions after Southern Miss showdown
The West Division came down to exactly what everyone expected: Troy at Southern Miss on 29 November. The Trojans didn’t blink.
How Troy clinched the West:
- 28–18 win at Southern Miss in a de facto division title game.
- Secured the West Division crown and a trip to face James Madison.
- Closed out conference play with the poise of a program used to playing for trophies.
There was no safety net and no multi-team tiebreaker chaos this time. Troy went on the road, took control of the game and walked out as West champions with a ticket to Harrisonburg.
Simple takeaways now the field is set
- James Madison are in and perfect in league play as East Division champions and hosts of the 2025 Sun Belt Championship Game.
- Troy are West Division champions after a 28–18 win over Southern Miss on 29 November, booking a Friday night title shot.
- No more scenario talk – the matchup is locked: James Madison vs. Troy under the lights.
- The title game kicks off Friday, 5 December 2025 in prime time on ESPN, adding another must-watch clash to a packed championship weekend.
By the time the final whistle blows in Harrisonburg, we’ll know whether James Madison’s flawless Sun Belt season survives one more test – or whether Troy can spoil the party and carry the trophy back West.
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