Photo by Dayne Francis | The Signal
Ball State at Georgia State
Projected: 1-0
The Panthers will open the new season at home against Ball State, a team they beat last year 31-19 on the road. Ball State hired a new head coach in Mike Neu this season after last season’s disappointing 3-9 season. This is Neu’s first game as a head coach, however the Panthers shouldn’t underestimate him since last year he was the quarterbacks coach for the New Orleans Saints. Still transitioning from a quarterbacks coach to a head coach is a big change, so look for the Panthers to come out on top of this one after coming off their first ever bowl eligible season and 16 returning starters. Experience will be the difference maker in this one, and 2015 Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year Trent Miles has his team hitting their stride in his fourth season.
Georgia State at Air Force
Projected: 1-1
The second game of the season against Air Force will be the Panthers first real test to see if they have improved since last season. Air Force is coming off a bowl eligible season, an undefeated home record last year and were picked to finish second in their division this year in the preseason poll. Look for this game to be a battle of pass versus run as Air Force averaged 319 rushing yards last year and the Panthers averaged 335 passing yards. Both Air Force and Georgia State are losing key starters from last year. Air Force lost three offensive lineman and Georgia State lost their All-Sun Belt First Team quarterback Nick Arbuckle. The difference maker in this game will be whose replacements perform better, Air Force’s offensive line or the Panthers’ new quarterback.
Georgia State at Wisconsin
Projected: 1-2
The hardest game of the season for the Panthers will be against Big 10 powerhouse Wisconsin, who finished last season with a 10-3 record and won the National Funding Holiday Bowl. Look for the Badgers defense to dominate the Panthers offense as they finished second last year in total defense. It will not make a difference who the new quarterback will be, as the Badgers defense retained eight starters from last year’s second ranked defense. Look for this game to be a defensive game as both teams will have a new quarterback at the helm, but the advantage goes to Wisconsin’s defense over the Panthers’ 80th ranked defense.
Georgia State at Appalachian St.
Projected: 1-3
After playing their hardest game of the season, the Panthers will play their second hardest game of the season next against Appalachian St. who beat the Panthers last year 37-3. Appalachian St. was predicted to finish first in the Sun Belt Conference in the preseason poll. The Mountaineers are bringing back 17 starters including Sun Belt’s Preseason Defensive Player of the Year John Law and quarterback Taylor Lamb who threw for 291 yards and three touchdowns against the Panthers last season. The Panthers’ high powered passing offense last year was held to a mere three points in their last duel, and now they’ve lost the best quarterback in their school history, talk about a recipe for disaster; advantage Mountaineers.
Texas State at Georgia State
Projected: 2-3
After two rough road games, the Panthers come back home to face Texas State who they beat last year 41-19 on the road. Texas State was predicted to finish 10th in the Sun Belt Conference in the preseason poll compared to Georgia State predicted to finish fourth. Texas State also hired a new head coach in Everett Withers and the Bobcats are in the rebuilding stages of their team as they look to finish with a better record than their 3-9 season last season. The Panthers are in the reloading stage as majority of their starters are returning. So look for the Panthers to dominate this game at home after coming off two difficult road games.
Georgia State at Troy
Projected: 3-3
The Panthers will go back on the road to face Troy who they also beat last year 31-21. Troy finished last season 4-8 however they are predicted to finish fifth in the conference right behind Georgia State. The Panthers dominated that game thanks to Keith Rucker having a career game with 10 catches for 154 yards. Look for the Panthers to use their tight ends in this game and keep attacking through the air with their new starting quarterback.
UT Martin at Georgia State
Projected: 4-3
The Panthers go back home to face UT Martin who finished last season 7-4 and are predicted to finish fourth in their conference this year. UT Martin averaged 35 points a game last season, so look for this game to be a shootout. Even though UT Martin’s offense put up high numbers, their defense also gave up an average of 33 points a game. So look for the Panthers’ offensive leaders Penny Hart, Robert Davis, and Keith Rucker to have a field day on homecoming night.
Georgia State at South Alabama
Projected: 5-3
South Alabama is predicted to finish seventh in the conference in the preseason polls after coming off of a 5-7 season. The Panthers defeated the Jaguars last season 24-10, thanks to the Panthers defense holding down the fort. The Jaguars will also have a new starting quarterback this season, so look for the Panthers nine defensive returning starters to have a feast on the Jaguars new quarterback this season. In addition the Jaguars defense gave up an average of 37 points per game. The Panthers have the clear advantage in this one despite being on the road.
Arkansas State at Georgia State
Projected: 5-4
Georgia State’s toughest home game of the season will be against Arkansas State who is predicted to finish second in the conference based on the preseason polls. This game being the ninth game of the season will be a crucial conference game that could decide who ends up winning the Sun Belt Championship. Arkansas State had 12 players that received 2016 Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference Football Team, four on offense, seven on defense and one on special teams. The Red Wolves averaged 40 points per game last season and in order for the Panthers to take this one they will have to rely on their defense since they won’t have the same high powered offense as last year with a different quarterback at the helm.
UL Monroe at Georgia State
Projected: 6-4
The easiest game of the year will be against UL Monroe, who finished last season with a 2-11 record and is projected to finish last in the conference based on the preseason poll. Look for the Panthers to dominate on both sides of the ball as UL Monroe’s offense only averaged 21 points a game last season and gave up 36 points a game. Plus the Panthers will also have the home field advantage.
Georgia Southern at Georgia State
Projected: 7-4
This heated rivalry returns back to Atlanta as Georgia State will face off against Southern, with the Panthers dominating the last meeting 34-7 to become bowl eligible. With the series being tied 1-1, this will be not only a late crucial conference game, but also a game for state bragging rights. Southern is projected to finish the season third in the conference compared to the Panthers being fourth. Southern has 12 returning starters compared to the Panthers 16. This will be a battle of ground and air: Southern has one of the best rushing attacks in Division I football and are going up against one of the most talented offensive weapons in the league with the Panthers’ Davis, Hart and Rucker. This game will be decided on the turnover battle and whose defense can get the most stops for their team.
Georgia State at Idaho
Projected: 8-4
The final game of the season will be a conference game on the road against Idaho. Idaho finished last season with a 4-8 record and is projected to finish eighth in the conference. Look for the Panthers to finish this season strong as Idaho’s defense gave up an average of 40 points a game last season. With the Panthers high powered offense, look for them to pile up the points in their final conference game that could decide their fate and bowl eligibility.
