2016 Sun Belt Conference football season was the 16th season in which the Sun Belt Conference operated a football league , and was part of the 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season . The season began on September 1 with Appalachian State facing Tennessee . This was the third season for the Sun Belt since realignment that took effect in 2014 , which added the tenth and eleventh members — Idaho and New Mexico State . Both teams were previously independents before joining the conference . The Sun Belt Conference is a " Group of Five " conference under the College Football Playoff format along with the American Athletic Conference , Conference USA , the Mid-American Conference , and the Mountain West Conference
independents
NCAA Division I FBS independent schools
2016 Sun Belt Conference football season