Georgia St Panthers 2016 NCAA Football Preview
GEORGIA ST PANTHERS
Sun Belt Conference
2015 Record – 6-7
ATS – 8-4-1
2016 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating Rank
Conference #6
2015 Recap
Now THAT was a turnaround. After going a combined 1-23 (!) the previous two seasons, the Panthers won their final four regular season games to finish at 6-6 and become bowl eligible. They lost to a scrappy San Jose St team in the Cure Bowl, but make no mistake, that was a season to be proud of if you are a fan or a member of the program. The bad news ? There will be no more sneaking up on people. At least for now.
2016 Preview
OFFENSE
Georgia St was ranked #1 in the Sun Belt in passing offense last season and now have to deal with the departure of excellent QB Nick Arbuckle who threw for over 4,300 yards and 28 TDs last year. Not only that, but Arbuckle started every game for the Panthers the past two seasons. The battle now appears to be between Utah transfer Conner Manning and freshman Aaron Winchester who brings the dimension of mobility to the offense. We will have to wait and see how this shakes out.
If the Panthers can get the QB situation settled they have the ability to do some damage in the passing game. They feature the best WR duo in the Sun Belt (Penny Hart, Robert Davis) that combined for over 2,000 yards receiving and 14 TD receptions in 2015. TE Keith Rucker is also a weapon that cannot be ignored (39-522, 6 TD, 13.4).
As great as the passing game was last season, the running game was abysmal. They were ranked last in the conference averaging only 97 yards rushing per game. If they want to return to a bowl game this season they absolutely need to find more balance on offense. The collection of RBs is unproven and MEGALOCKS CAMP INSIDERS advised us that their depth took a hit with the announcement of Taz Bateman’s knee injury that will sideline him for the season. The line returns three starters and should be better this season but the group is still a work in progress.
DEFENSE
DC Jesse Minter did a great job last season as the Panthers improved significantly from the 2015 campaign (28 points per game allowed; down from 43 in 2014). Georgia St ranked in the top-4 in the conference in both rushing defense and pass efficiency defense. However, they only managed to record 18 sacks.
Nine starters return to the unit this year and they might be even better in 2016. The starting front seven returns intact other than the loss of leading tackler LB Joseph Peterson. The secondary should be good once again with three starters back this year.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Panthers need to find a new PK and a new punter. Wil Lutz handled both of those duties and it is still unclear who will handle these roles in 2016. Freshman Brandon Wright is the favorite to win the punting job. Seven players tried out at PK during spring camp. Uh oh.
KR Marquan Greene returns this season and he averaged over 24 yards a return last year. A bright spot.
MEGALOCKS ATS Value Rating (10) 5.0
MEGALOCKS says:
After a week one home game vs Ball St, the Panthers have three really tough road games in a four week stretch. Air Force and Wisconsin are probably certain losses. The game at Appalachian St is going to be really tough. After that, the docket lightens up considerably and the Panthers should start gaining some steam.
Overall, we give the PANTHERS a 5.0 ATS Value Rating (Average) this season. It’s hard to know what to expect on offense. A new QB and the history of a brutal running game puts us in wait-and-see mode even though the defense is going to be really good. Trent Miles has a solid 21-15-1 record against the point spread the past three seasons and we would not be shocked if they pulled off another winning season ATS. Let’s see what the offense looks like before we pounce.
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