Georgia State College Football Betting Preview

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2018

Georgia State

College Football

Betting Preview

Georgia State finished off a solid 2017 campaign with a bowl win over Western Kentucky. Getting to that level again is the goal for Shawn Elliott in his second year as head coach, but it won’t be easy with a new quarterback. That’s seen in the odds as the Panthers have an over/under of 4.5 wins to go with +5000 odds to win the Sun Belt at 5Dimes Sportsbook.

Conner Manning wasn’t an amazing quarterback, but he got the job done for the offense last year. His replacement still wasn’t known going into the fall, but last year’s backup Aaron Winchester is the favorite over JUCO transfer Dan Ellington. The best thing on the offense, of course, is playmaking wide receiver Penny Hart (74 receptions, 1,121 yards, 8 TDs), who was the last listed player with +50000 odds to win the Heisman at 5Dimes. Fellow top wide out Tamir Jones (396 yards) also returns, but a quarterback still has to get the ball to these guys. It doesn’t help that the running Game that averaged 3.2 yards per carry has to incorporate some new backs with Taz Bateman and Darius Stubbs the favorites after missing most of last season due to injury. To help, the line returns Four starters so there’s at least a good base for this group.

The defense could have a hard time repeating last year’s 24.8 points per Game allowed. While five starters return in addition to others that got experience, the secondary could be a black hole. Senior corner Jerome Smith is the only one that returns on the back end with a freshman expected to start on the opposite corner. The front seven has to be as good or better than last year and that starts with senior linebackers Chase Middleton (65 tackles) and Michael Shaw (57 tackles). Throw in ends Marterious Allen and Terry Thomas and there’s some hope this group can return to last year’s 136 rushing yards per Game allowed. 

The bigger problem in trying to reach another bowl Game for the Panthers is the Schedule that features road Games at NC State and Memphis in non-conference, but also the projected three best teams in the Sun Belt at Troy, Ark. State and App. State. That’s already five losses right there and Georgia State was actually a slight underdog in the opener against Kennesaw State in summer odds (+1). To reach six wins, the Panthers will either have to win at Louisiana or win all of their home Games, which includes the contest against Western Michigan. While they may not drop off much from last season, a more difficult Schedule combined with a new quarterback will lead to more struggles than a year ago.

 

2018 Georgia State Panthers Football Schedule

Aug. 30 vs. Kennesaw State

Sept. 8 at NC State

Sept. 14 at Memphis

Sept. 22 vs. Western Michigan

Sept. 29 vs. UL Monroe

Oct. 4 at Troy

Oct. 18 at Arkansas State

Oct. 27 vs. Coastal Carolina

Nov. 3 vs. Texas State

Nov. 10 at Louisiana

Nov. 17 at Appalachian State 

Nov. 24 vs. Georgia Southern

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