Appalachian State could learn its full 2026 football schedule on Friday.
Maybe.
Reports began circulating on social media on Thursday that the Sun Belt Conference plans to release its 2026 football slate on March 13 — roughly two weeks later than its typical schedule announcement date.
The delay has been tied to uncertainty surrounding Louisiana Tech’s attempt to leave Conference USA and join the Sun Belt for the 2026 season. Conference USA maintains the Bulldogs must remain in the league until 2027 under conference bylaws requiring 14 months’ notice before departure.
Here is where things get interesting.
Conference USA released its full 2026 football schedule unexpectedly on Thursday night after the Sun Belt rumors started floating — and Louisiana Tech was included. Reports have indicated the Sun Belt’s version would also include Louisiana Tech, despite the ongoing legal dispute between the school and Conference USA.
For now, the situation leaves Sun Belt teams — including Appalachian State — waiting for clarity on the conference lineup for the 2026 season.
Louisiana Tech, on its way to the Sun Belt in 2026, is included on Conference USA’s 2026 schedule. Bulldogs also will be listed on Sun Belt’s schedule. Fun times https://t.co/KzhTFy7FpY — Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) March 13, 2026
What App State’s 2026 Schedule Already Looks Like
Here is what we do know at this point. The Mountaineers’ September slate has been set for a long time.
Four non-conference opponents locked in:
- Sept. 5 — Maine (home)
- Sept. 12 — at East Carolina
- Sept. 19 — Charlotte (home)
- Sept. 26 — at NC State
App State will also face its six Sun Belt East Division rivals, date and time TBA:
Home
- James Madison
- Georgia State
- Old Dominion
Road
- Coastal Carolina
- Marshall
- Georgia Southern
Two cross-division games against Sun Belt West opponents remain to be determined.
If the Sun Belt releases its schedule Friday as expected, those final matchups — along with the full conference slate — will finally be revealed.
Though if the lawsuit between Louisiana Tech and Conference USA goes sideways, the Sun Belt may have to rearrange its 2026 schedule on the fly, possibly even doing away with division play for one season.
Why Louisiana Tech Is Holding Up the Sun Belt Schedule
Louisiana Tech announced last year it would join the Sun Belt no later than July 1, 2027, but the school has since tried to accelerate the move and begin Sun Belt competition in the 2026 football season.
Conference USA has pushed back, citing league bylaws that require 14 months’ notice before a school can depart. Because Louisiana Tech did not meet that timeline, the conference maintains the Bulldogs must remain in CUSA for the 2026 season unless a financial settlement is reached.
Two conferences fighting over Louisiana Tech! https://t.co/wD2ZY7aUAQ — NC Football News (@NCFootballNews) March 13, 2026
Louisiana Tech has responded by filing a lawsuit in Louisiana state court in an attempt to force an earlier exit.
For Sun Belt schools such as Appalachian State, the dispute matters because it affects the league’s scheduling format. If Louisiana Tech joins in 2026, the Sun Belt would have 15 football members, forcing the conference to adjust divisional matchups and cross-division games.
A hearing in the case is scheduled for March 19, meaning the situation could remain unresolved even after the Sun Belt releases its 2026 schedule.
Conference USA’s schedule release had Louisiana Tech playing one Thursday night game and three Wednesday night games in October.
NC Football News will update this story as soon as the Sun Belt releases its 2026 schedule or if new developments arise in the Louisiana Tech situation.
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