Georgia State won’t open summer camp until Aug. 1, so it’s a perfect time to start looking ahead to the teams the Panthers will face during the upcoming season.

Let’s start with the opener against Charlotte. The Panthers, 1-11 last season, will host the 49ers on Sept. 4 at the Georgia Dome.

Charlotte

2014 record: 5-6 against a mostly hand-picked schedule.

All-time record: 10-12. The 49ers are beginning their first year in FBS.

Coach: Brad Lambert.

Letterwinners returning: 55.

Starters returning: Nine on offense and seven on defense.

Offensive system: Spread.

Defensive system: 3-4 last year, but likely multiple this year.

Three significant stats last year:

1. 49ers averaged 38.9 points per game as part of 487.4 yards per game.

2. Defense allowed 31.6 points per game.

3. 49ers lost 25 turnovers

Key starters returning:

• Leading rusher Kalif Phillips (1,436 yards and 20 touchdowns)
• Leading passer Matt Johnson (117-225, 13 touchdowns and 8 interceptions)
• Leading receiver Austin Duke (79 receptions for 1,373 yards and 9 touchdowns)
• Leading tackler Branden Dozier, safety (86 tackles, one interception)
• Leading sacker Larry Ogunjobi, a defensive lineman (5 sacks)
• Four starters on the offensive line: left tackle Jamal Covington, left guard Casey Perry, centers Thomas La Bianca or Jarred Barr and right tackle Danny Book.
• Led by Dozier, three-fourths of the secondary returns on defense.

How does Georgia State match up

Georgia State should be able to score a lot of points with the return of quarterback Nick Arbuckle, running back Kyler Neal and a talent group of wide receivers led by Donovan Harden and Robert Davis.

The question for the defense, as it always will be, is can it get a pass rush against what will be a quick-snap, quick-read, quick-delivery offense? Applying pressure has been a problem for three years, before Coach Trent Miles and his staff were hired, but it’s one that must be fixed.