Who gets to be called GSU? Even though these two teams have never played each other on the football field, there’s plenty of hate to go around. Don’t believe us? Just look at this and bathe in that sweet, sweet hate.
How to watch Georgia Southern vs. Georgia State: Game guide, TV schedule, streaming, odds
One of the Sun Belt’s most heated rivalries finally takes the field.
These two programs are not really all that similar at the moment, despite their similar initials, location and newfound FBS status. Southern is a much more established program, with a deep football history and a successful product on the field. It boasts the nation’s top rushing offense, is on top of the Sun Belt and lost by a combined five points to Georgia Tech and N.C. State.
Georgia State, on the other hand, is a relatively new program and is still struggling to find its legs. The Panthers won their opener against FCS Abilene Christian (a recent step up from D-II) 38-37, and have dropped all six games they've played since. Georgia State has a decent passing attack led by quarterback Nick Arbuckle, but is a heavy underdog in this one.
How to watch, listen, and stream
Game time: 2 p.m. ET
Online streaming: ESPN3.
The numbers
Rankings and records: Neither team is ranked. Georgia Southern is 5-2, with a 4-0 record in Sun Belt play. Georgia State is 1-6, with an 0-4 record against Sun Belt competition. This is the first-ever meeting between these two schools.
Vegas: Georgia Southern opened as a 16-point favorite. The line is now 18, with an over/under of 66.
Weather forecast: A high of 75 and sunny.
Two things at stake
Georgia Southern wouldn’t become bowl-eligible with a victory, due to its new FBS status, but it would advance take another step toward a Sun Belt title and establish on-field bragging rights.
Georgia State would be able to retort to its rival’s taunting with a win here.
One big matchup
Georgia Southern rushing offense vs. Georgia State rushing defense. The Eagles’ triple-option attack has worked wonders this season, averaging 7.0 yards per carry carry and a nation-best 370 yards per game. Georgia Southern has three different players with at least 90 carries (running backs Matt Breida and Alfred Ramsby, as well as quarterback Kevin Ellison), and has scored 30 touchdowns on the ground this season. Georgia State, meanwhile, is giving up 5.2 yards per carry and has allowed more than 300 yards rushing in three different games this season, including its last two.
Further reading
For more on these teams and the rest of the Sun Belt, head over to Underdog Dynasty.
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