Georgia Southern Eagles 2016 NCAA Football Preview
GEORGIA SOUTHERN EAGLES
Sun Belt Conference
2015 Record – 9-4
ATS – 9-4
2016 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating Rank
Conference #3
2015 Recap
The running game was pulverizing yet again and it led the Eagles to a fine 9-4 record and their first ever bowl victory. They lost a big game to Appalachian St around mid-season but kept on chugging until a final week debacle vs Georgia St. They then proceeded to crush MAC champions Bowling Green 58-27 in the GoDaddy Bowl while rushing for 452 yards. HC Willie Fritz is off to Tulane and it is up to former Colorado St DC Tyson Summers to keep them rolling.
2016 Preview
OFFENSE
The Eagles averaged over 363 yards rushing per game and an eye-popping 6.4 yards per carry. HC Summers plans to keep the offense very similar to years’ past and that is a good thing. The Eagles return two excellent QBs that are both nice fits for the offense. It is likely that a two-QB system will still be utilized to some extent. The coaches would love to see some big plays in the passing game or at least better production. Just a home run ball here or there would really make this offense explosive.
The top two rushers from the 2015 team are back this season including 1st Team Sun Belt performer Matt Breida who combined with RB LA Ramsby for over 2,400 yards and 30 TDs (!) on the ground last year. The offensive line returns 3/5 starters including senior C Andy Kwon. This offense should roll once again.
DEFENSE
The defense was really good last season, particularly against the run, where they ranked #1 in the Sun Belt giving up only 131 rushing yards per game. Six players in the front seven are back this season and the run defense should be stellar once again. The DL features two players that made the 2nd Team Sun Belt team (Bernard Dawson, Jay Ellison).
The secondary played well in 2015 (#4 Sun Belt pass efficiency defense) but this year the unit has to start from scratch. The entire starting lineup departs and there are ZERO returning starters to work with this year. This is likely to be an issue when they play teams that are able to MATRICULATE down the field in the passing game (Exhibit A: Western Michigan week 4).
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Eagles appear to be in decent shape with both PK Younghoe Koo and P Matt Flynn returning for duty. A big worry will be replacing the production of KR/PR Derek Keaton who was excellent on both punt and kickoff returns.
MEGALOCKS ATS Value Rating (10) 8.0
MEGALOCKS says:
This should be a fun season. There are two weeknight match-ups set for a Wednesday (Arkansas St) and Thursday (Appalachian St) that should provide some solid entertainment. The Eagles are still talented enough to win the Sun Belt Title.
Overall, we give the EAGLES a 8.0 ATS Value Rating (Very Good) this season. Here it comes. Try and stop it. They should not miss a beat even with a new HC due to the experience on offense and in the front 7 on defense. The secondary is a concern but every team has at least one or two things to worry about. The Eagles are 16-9 ATS (64%) the past two seasons and there is no reason to think that they will not have a winning record against the number again in 2016.
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News
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