GEORGIA STATE GAMEDAY

1. Georgia State is coming off a 31-19 win over Ball State. It was the fewest points allowed by the Panthers since Trent Miles took over as coach before the 2013 season. The defense was effective because it limited Ball State's big plays. The Cardinals' longest pass was 19 yards. The defense had allowed 13 passing plays of at least 25 yards.

2. Georgia State’s passing attack ranks as one of the best in FBS, averaging a Sun Belt-best 326.8 yards per game. However, its rushing offense ranks among the worst with an average of 86.5 yards per game. The attack lost starter Kyler Neal and is down to two players, Demarcus Kirk and Khai Anderson.

3. Georgia State is averaging 24.8 points and 413.3 yards per game, while allowing 35.5 points and 474.7 yards. Arkansas State is averaging 34 points and 393.1 yards per game while allowing 31.3 points and 391.4 yards.

Player to watch: Georgia State offense

WR Robert Davis. Arkansas State's defensive backs are aggressive and will try to press wide receivers. Davis has the size (6-foot-3, 198 pounds) to fight off the defensive backs and get downfield. Davis has 31 receptions for 435 yards and three touchdowns this season.

Player to watch: Georgia State defense

LB Joseph Peterson. Defending Arkansas State's balanced offense will require discipline, proper technique and fundamentals. Peterson, the leading tackler in school history, may be the best in all three categories of Georgia State's players.

Player to watch: Arkansas State offense

WR J.D. McKissic. Though it improved against Ball State, Georgia State's defense has been susceptible to big plays. McKissic is a dangerous wide receiver who sometimes plays running back. He has 31 receptions for 310 yards with a long of 49 yards. He also is the leading kick returner in the Sun Belt, with 19 returns for 517 yards and a touchdown.

Player to watch: Arkansas State defense

S Cody Brown. He has averaged more than one pass defensed per game and has three of the Red Wolves' 15 interceptions.