Who: Georgia State (5-6, 4-3 Sun Belt) vs. Georgia Southern (8-3, 6-1)
When: 2 p.m. Saturday.
Three things to know
1. Georgia State is coming off a 31-21 win over Troy. The Panthers have won three consecutive games for the first time since 2010 and need one win to become bowl-eligible for the first time in school history. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 69-31 last year.
2. Georgia Southern is coming off a 55-17 win over South Alabama. The Eagles rushed for 489 yards and had an 8.7-yards-per-carry average. The defense held the Jags to 136 yards.
3. Georgia State is averaging 27.3 points and 446.1 yards per game, while allowing 30.4 points and 434.9 yards. Georgia Southern is averaging 37.2 points and 436.9 yards per game, while allowing 22.3 points and 322.2 yards per game.
Player to watch: Georgia State offense
QB Nick Arbuckle. Arbuckle leads the Sun Belt's best passing attack with an average of 346.6 yards per game. Five receivers have caught at least 22 passes, and each has a touchdown reception. The group is led by freshman Penny Hart, who has 64 receptions for 966 yards. Tight end Keith Rucker caught a career-high 10 passes last week.
Player to watch: Georgia State defense
LB Joseph Peterson. Peterson leads the team in tackles for the fourth consecutive season. He will have a big responsibility Saturday, trying to make sure the Panthers are fitted right to try to slow the conference's best rushing attack.
Player to watch: Georgia Southern offense
RB Matt Breida. Stopping the runs up the middle is job No. 1 for Georgia State, so that means limiting Breida. He is averaging 135.9 rushing yards per game on a whopping 8.3 yards-per-carry average. Stopping him on first down may set up the third-and-long plays that Georgia State should need.
Player to watch: Georgia Southern defense
LB Antwione Williams. He leads the Eagles in tackles (89), tackles for loss (9 1/2) and is tied for the lead in sacks (four). The Panthers must give Arbuckle a clean pocket, which means keeping Williams out of the backfield.
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