College Football Previews #3 and #4 - Georgia Southern and Georgia State
Georgia Southern looks to take the next step after finishing 6-7 in 2023. Head Coach Clay Helton enters his 3rd season at the helm hoping the Eagles contend for the Sun Belt East Division Title. Can Georgia Southern regain the momentum they had last season after a tough loss to Ohio in the Myrtle Beach Bowl? We will find out soon enough. Georgia Southern only welcomes back four starters on Offense including two starters on the Offensive Line. The Wide Receiving Unit only returns one starter in senior Derwin Burgess, Jr. and will need several experienced returnees to step up. Senior Quarterback Dexter Williams II (Indiana transfer) and sophomore Quarterback J.C. French (Memphis transfer) will battle it out in Fall Camp to determine who will be the Eagles' starter this season. Senior Running Back Jalen White - the final returning starter on Offense - and junior Running Back OJ Arnold form a potent rushing attack for the Eagles. The Eagles return seven starters on Defense including all four starters on the Defensive Line which will be anchored by a pair of Defensive Tackles in senior Justin Rhodes and junior Latrell Bullard. The Linebacking Unit only brings back one starter in senior Linebacker Marques Watson-Trent. The Secondary returns two starters in junior Nickelback Marc Stampley II and senior Safety T.J. Smith. The Special Teams Unit will be led by sophomore Punter Alex Smith while sophomore Kicker Chase Folser will handle the Kicking duties. Georgia Southern will improve on last season's 6-7 final record as I predict the Eagles to finish 7-5 in the Regular Season and in 3rd place in the Sun Belt East Division. The ending of the season will change as well as the Eagles will win their Bowl Game to finish with a final record of 8-5 and cap off a successful Year 3 under Clay Helton.
Georgia State will look to continue to climb the Sun Belt East Division Standings after the Panthers tied for 5th place in 2023. New Head Coach Dell McGee enters his inaugural season at the helm with moderate expectations. Georgia State only welcomes back four starters on Offense including one starter on the Offensive Line. Senior Quarterback Zach Gibson (Georgia Tech transfer) is the presumptive starter for the Panthers this season. The Wide Receiving Unit brings back two starters in seniors Ja'Cyais Credle and Cadarrius Thompson. Look for junior Tight End Ahmon Green - the final returning starter on Offense - to play a big role in the passing attack. Senior CJ Beasley (Coastal Carolina transfer) and junior Freddie Brock - a pair of Running Backs - will combine to form a dynamite backfield. The Panthers welcome back six starters on Defense including two starters on the Defensive Line in senior Defensive End Anthony Blume and junior Defensive End Henry Bryant III. The Linebacking Unit only brings back one starter in senior Linebacker Justin Abraham and will need several experienced returnees to step up - most notably senior Linebacker Kevin Swint and junior Linebacker Josiah Robinson. The Secondary returns three starters and will be led by senior Cornerback Gavin Pringle and senior Safety Jeremiah Johnson. The Special Teams Unit returns intact with sophomore Kicker Liam Rickman and junior Punter Kade Loggins both back. Georgia State fans should feel slightly discouraged regarding the Panthers chances this season as their Non-Conference schedule is less forgiving than it was in 2023. Can the Panthers overcome it anyway? We shall see. I predict Georgia State to take a step back this season and go 5-7 in 2024 to finish in 6th place in the highly competitive Sun Belt East Division. We will have to wait and see if the Panthers can take the next step and return to Postseason play in 2025.
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