The Georgia State Panthers football team hasn’t been around quite as long as the Penn State Nittany Lions, but it’s quickly moved up the ranks and into FBS competition as a member of the Sun Belt Conference. The Panthers opened with a loss, and they are facing an uphill battle as they try to right the ship against the top-ranked Big Ten team on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET on BTN (live stream it on BTN2Go.com).
Georgia State vs. Penn State 2017 live stream: Start time, TV channel, and how to watch online
The Nittany Lions are looking to keep their lead over the Big Ten with a big win in Week 3.
Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports
The Panthers’ season-opening loss to Tennessee State hurt for a few reasons. Not only was Georgia State christening its new stadium, but it faced an FCS opponent with far fewer scholarship players on roster. This was actually the first time ever in its history that TSU snagged a win over an FBS team. The Panthers finished their short career in the Georgia Dome 20-62 and are hoping to turn that around on their new home turf.
Penn State trounced in-state rival Pitt last weekend, but head coach James Franklin made waves throughout the state of Pennsylvania by likening the win to one over Akron. Franklin has done a great job changing — and more importantly — elevating, the program to where it was before, and part of that has been creating rivalries. Pitt may be a rival within its home state, but Franklin has put his focus and energy into rivalries with conference opponents, like Rutgers and Ohio State.
Time, TV channel, and streaming info
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Beaver Stadium, University Park, Penn.
- TV: BTN
- Streaming: BTN2Go.com
- Odds: Penn State is favored by 39
Georgia State vs. Penn State news:
- Penn State released its depth chart and injury report, and Saquon Barkley is now the starting kick returner.
- In just seven years, the Panthers have established themselves as a legit college football team.
“I take that to heart, and I take it personal,” one of the Panthers’ first captains, linebacker Jake Muasau, told SB Nation. “We were starting off at the bottom, nobody knew about Georgia State, and I think slowly, as we’re starting to make a little more headway and getting these really nice facilities, I knew that, ‘OK, I can really appreciate knowing that I helped the program get to where it is now.’”
- Grant Haley is the most clutch Penn State defender in the past five years.
“He bent over backwards to give credit to the coaching staff for putting himself and his teammates in position to make plays, but the Georgia native’s knack for making the highlight reel can’t be tossed aside.”
Penn State is currently leading Big Ten teams
Penn State is now leading Big Ten teams in the national rankings, rounding out the top five — and just one spot away from a shot at competing in the College Football Playoff. Sure, it’s entirely premature to think PSU will stay at this spot, but with games on the schedule against two other top 10 teams (Michigan and Ohio State), the currently 2-0 Nittany Lions could have an impressive resume come time for the Playoff committee to make its final four team choices.
Georgia State vs. Penn State prediction:
It’d be one of the biggest surprises to happen so far in the 2017 season if the Panthers come away with a win over the Nittany Lions. While Georgia State has been on the up-and-up the past few seasons, the Panthers still have a long way to go before they’re competing score-for-score against Power 5 conference opponents.
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