(Sports Illustrated)
Georgia State won’t open summer camp until August, so it’s a perfect time to start looking ahead to the teams the Panthers will face during the upcoming season.
I’ve already done:
Let’s turn to South Alabama. The Jags defeated the Panthers 30-27 last year in Mobile, scoring the winning touchdown with four minutes left.
The Panthers will host the Jags on Nov. 21 at the Georgia Dome.
South Alabama
2014 record: 6-7, 5-3 Sun Belt Conference.
Coach: Joey Jones, seventh season.
Starters returning: Three on offense: offensive linemen Chris May and Joseph Scelfo and wide receiver Danny Woodson II.
Two on defense: Safety Roman Buchanan and cornerback Antonio Carter.
Offensive system: Multiple Spread.
Defensive system: 4-2-5.
Three significant stats last year:
- The Jaguars averaged 22.5 points and 376 yards per game last year.
- They surrendered 26.4points and 398.9 yards per game.
- In one of the weirder stats I've come across, the Jags recovered 15 fumbles, but still ended the season with a minus-5 turnover ratio because of 17 interceptions.
Key stats returning:
- Xavier Johnson rushed for 438 yards and one touchdown.
- Terrance Timmons rushed for 403 yards and four touchdowns.
- Hunter Vaughn passed for 342 yards and one touchdown.
- Danny Woodson II caught 30 passes for 382 yards and four touchdowns.
- Braedon Bowman caught 18 passes for 234 yards.
- Roman Buchanan had 74 tackles and seven passes broken up.
- Antonio Carter had 54 tackles.
How does Georgia State match up
This is a game that Georgia State should win.
The Jags were decimated by the loss of 17 starters from last year’s squad and must rebuild. By the time the Panthers host them, they will almost certainly have found combinations that the coaches like.
Still, unless Georgia State has suffered numerous injuries at key positions, it seems that the Panthers will have too much at the skill positions on offense for the Jags to try to match them in a shootout.
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