Georgia St Panthers 2021 College Football Preview

Georgia St Panthers 2021 NCAA Football Preview

Created July 14, 2021

2020 Recap

Record – 6-4

ATS – 7-3

The Panthers booked their 3rd winning season in the last four years and finished in style by smoking Western Kentucky in the Lending Tree Bowl (39-21). Of their four losses, the only one that featured a deficit of more than 7 points, was the Coastal Carolina DEBACLE in which they got totally hammered (L 51-CACK). They gave Louisiana and Appalachian St all they could handle and have to be heading into 2021 with confidence. Let’s go!


Georgia St Panthers 2020 Outlook

OFFENSE

The Panthers scored more than 30 PPG for the 2nd consecutive season (33.3, #4 Sun Belt) behind the dynamic play of QB Cornelius Brown who threw 17 TD passes and rushed for another 7 on the ground. He threw a few too many INTs (10) and will need to cut down on mistakes. Depth behind him looks acceptable. The Panthers 1-2 combo at RB is one of the best in the conference as Destin Coates and Tucker Gregg combined for over 1,200Y and 13 TDs in 2020. The OL returns five starters and note that they allowed a paltry 12 sacks LY (#3 Sun Belt sacks/game). Everyone is back at WR and TE and Brown should have another good year in the THROW GAME. WR Sam Pinckney is is one of the best in the Sun Belt (47-815, 17.3, 7 TD) and Roger Carter caught 23 balls at TE. The Panthers seem like a CCP VIRUS DOUBLE MASK LOCK to post over 30 PPG once again.

DEFENSE

Georgia St were really strong vs the run a season ago (136 YPG, #2 Sun Belt) and average vs the pass (#5 pass efficiency D). Their CALLING CARD was an excellent pass rush that came up with an impressive 35 sacks (#1 Sun Belt, sacks per game). Leading sack producer Jordan Strachan tied for the FBS lead (10.5) and is going to be really tough to replace. The good news is that the DL looks stout and returns all three starters including DE Hardrick Willis (6 sacks LY). The LB group will miss Strachan but still appears to be talented and are led by leading tackler Blake Carroll (5.5 TFL). We expect good production on the back end of the defense as every starter is back for battle and they have some good ones in the mix including CB Quavian White and S Antavious Lane who combined for 7 INTs LY. The sack total will likely drop but this still appears to be an above average Sun Belt stop unit, particularly vs the run.

SPECIAL TEAMS

The entire group returns including PK Noel Ruiz who nailed 13/16 FGA in 2020. The punting and return units were average on the whole.

Schedule Analysis

Overall – The first five games are nasty as they take on Army (H), North Carolina (A), Auburn (A), and Appalachian St (H). Later in the year they play three straight ON THE HIGHWAY. At least they finish with two home games.

Potential ATS Trouble Spot – at Louisiana (November 4th)

This is their 3rd road game in four and it comes after the rivalry game with Georgia Southern. Coastal Carolina is on deck.

Season Win Total

per 5Dimes July 14

Over 5.5 +135

Under 5.5 -155

MEGALOCKS says:

Lean: Over.

That’s a tough schedule, yo. Having said that, this team is still easily in the top half of the FUN BELT in terms of talent and we think it’s likely they’ll cobble together six wins.

MEGAmazing Tidbit

The Panthers booked a combined record of 2-33 (!) from 2012-2014 and have now made three bowl games in four years under HC Shawn Elliott. Well done!


MEGALOCKS Outlook:

The schedule maker didn’t do this group any favors, particularly starting in late October when they have a really difficult three game road stretch (Georgia Southern, Louisiana, Coastal Carolina). These guys are gonna be a tough out in conference play and have the potential to post their best-ever offensive numbers. The defense may let them down but look for them to make another post-season appearance.


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WEBSITE

https://georgiastatesports.com/sports/football

FORUM

http://georgiastate.247sports.com/Board/Georgia-State-Panthers-Message-Board-Forum-59462

NEWS

https://www.ajc.com/sports/georgia-colleges/

http://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/2247/georgia-state-panthers

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Accounts to follow

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