Because Georgia State is playing top-ranked Alabama on Saturday, and because the Panthers are coming off a bye week in which I already asked offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski and defefnsive coordinator Jesse Minter to break down Alabama, I thought I’d do something different this week.

On Monday I asked various Panthers to provide the take on the Alabama player(s) they might be matched up against.

First, is defensive tackle Theo Agnew, who I asked to talk about Alabama running backs T.J. Yeldon and Kenyan Drake, as well as the offensive line.

Yeldon has 66 carries for 394 yards and three touchdowns. He is averaging 98.5 yards per game, which is fifth in the SEC and 28^th nationally.

Drake has 22 carries for 152 yards and three touchdowns. He is averaging 50.7 yards per game.

Alabama’s offensive line is paving the way for 162.5 rushing yards per game. The five starters are all juniors or seniors and average around 311 pounds.

The Tide are 53-0 when rushing for at least 140 yards.

Georgia State's run defense is giving up 218.2 yards per game. The three starters average around 277 pounds.

Q: What makes the running backs dangerous?

A: It’s Alabama, They have strong backs that are going to have decent vision and make good decisions. But we’ve played big backs before, I’ve played big backs before. It’s about making sure we wrap up and it’s about playing physical.

Once you get that physicality instilled, we’re on a level playing field.

Q: What about Alabama’s offensive line? They struggled a little bit I the opener against Virginia Tech, but seem to have come together.

A: They are working well with each other. You have the two brothers (Cyrus and Arie Kouandjio) who have played together so that’s chemistry. They are big guys, but we see big guys all the time. They are 6-6, 6-7, 317, but we’ve got big guys. That’s Grant King. That’s Ulrick John.

It’s nothing that we haven’t seen before. They execute well and that’s good, but it’s nothing we can’t handle.

We have to be technically sound and do the things we can do. I’m confident in us more than I’m worried about them.

We’re going to have a challenge, but who doesn’t have a challenge?

I think it’s fun. I think it’s exciting.

Q: Is this an NFL tryout for you? Do you think about that at all?

A: The way I understand it is these guys are supposed to be the top of the top. The way I perform against them will influence how I hope to play on the next level if I get that opportunity.

I look at every game as a tryout. I look at every time the scouts are out here as a tryout.

This game does mean a lot to me. I’ve consistently been the underdog. Coming from Connecticut, you’ve got the southern guys are supposed to be bigger and better. Continuously show out and try to do what you can.

What more can I ask for in my last year, when I’m trying to take it to the next level, than to play against the supposed best ever? I see it as a challenge and something I need meet head to head.

Injury update

Starting tight end Keith Rucker has an injured ankle. Coach Trent Miles said Rucker is likely out for a few more days. Rucker, a freshman, has four catches for 46 yards.