Georgia State Panthers (1-6)
The Panthers continue to be led by senior running back Donald Russell, who continues to rank among the league leaders with more than 90 yards rushing per game. However, Russell has only been able to produce one rushing touchdown for Georgia State. The quarterback carousel continues for the Panthers as Ben McLane and Ronnie Bell have both seen action this season. Neither signal caller has been able to get the Georgia State offense on track. The Panthers rank next to last in the Colonial Athletic Association in points per contest and wins.
When it rains, it pours, and that could not be truer for the Georgia State defense this season. They haven’t been able to get off the field; teams are converting a league worst 49 percent of the time on third down against the Panthers. The high conversion rate is a big reason why the Panthers have given up 458 yards of offense per game, also a league worst. The defense has forced eight turnovers, which is the seventh most in the conference.
Georgia State wins if… McLane or Bell can keep the offense on the field. Georgia State’s best player is Donald Russell and he needs 20 touches or more for the Panthers to be competitive. For that to happen, the offense must hang on to the ball and must convert third downs to keep drives going.
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Villanova Wildcats (5-2)
The Wildcats are led by dual threat quarterback John Robertson, who has accounted for 10 total touchdowns and over 240 yards of offense per game. Running back Kevin Monangai carries the load on offense as he averages more than 90 yards per game rushing and has found the end zone seven times. The Wildcats rank second in the Colonial Athletic Association in rushing with more than 239 yards per game. Wide receiver Joe Price, averaging a staggering 21 yards per reception, is lighting in a bottle and a big reason why the Wildcats score an average of 24 points per game.
Defensive back Joe Sarnese anchors a defense, which allows only 19 points per contest, good enough for second best in the CAA. He leads the team with 44 tackles and two interceptions. Rakim Cox can normally be found in opposing backfields. The defensive lineman has tallied seven tackles for a loss and five and a half sacks this season. The Wildcats do give up an average of 150 yards per game rushing.
Villanova wins if… they win the turnover battle. The Wildcats have a level turnover margin (seven turnovers and seven turnovers forced) this season and appear to be the better team. The one thing that could keep Georgia State in the game longer than they probably should be is several untimely turnovers by the Wildcats.
