The beginning and end of Georgia State’s 2022 season did not go the Panthers’ way. They opened the year with a four-game losing streak and concluded the season by dropping three straight.
However, the Panthers did show some promise by winning four of five games in the middle of the season, including a few wins over Sun Belt teams. They hope those games are a sign of their potential heading into 2023.
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Georgia State Football’s Sun Belt Title Odds
Georgia State’s odds to win the Sun Belt are +3500, via BetMGM.
Georgia State Football’s Over/Under Win Total
Georgia State’s win total Over/Under is 5.5, with Under 5.5 at -150 and Over 5.5 at +125.
Georgia State Football’s Schedule
8/31 vs Rhode Island
9/9 vs UConn
9/16 at Charlotte
9/21 at Coastal Carolina
9/30 vs Troy
10/14 vs Marshall
10/21 at Louisiana
10/26 at Georgia Southern
11/4 vs James Madison
11/11 vs Appalachian State
11/18 at LSU
11/25 at Old Dominion
Bold indicates Sun Belt contests.
Key Georgia State Football Returners
2022 All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention
QB Darren Grainger
DL Javon Denis
Darren Grainger To Lead Georgia State’s Offense Once Again
Darren Grainger is one of the best Sun Belt quarterbacks because he can do so much for Georgia State.
In 2022, Grainger completed 59% of his throws while totaling 2,443 yards, 18 touchdowns, and seven interceptions through the air. He also ran for 734 yards, which was ninth in the conference, and six touchdowns.
Georgia State lost Tucker Gregg, who ran for 705 yards and 12 touchdowns, and Jamyest Williams, who ran for 447 yards and two scores. But running back Marcus Carroll, who tallied 622 yards and six touchdowns on the ground, does return.
Jamari Thrash, who led the Sun Belt with 1,122 yards to go with seven touchdowns and 61 catches, is no longer on the team. But Ja’Cyais Credle is returning after ranking second on the Panthers with 28 catches while recording 359 yards and two touchdowns, and Robert Lewis is also back after tallying 379 yards and six touchdowns on 22 catches. Georgia State also added transfer wide receivers Darius Bush (UConn) and Jacari Carter (Merrimack).
Georgia State led the Sun Belt with 213.5 rushing yards per game last year but tied for the sixth-most sacks allowed with 34. Tackle Travis Glover is among the Panthers’ returners up front, and Georgia State also added Tyden Ferris (Central Michigan) and Lamar Robinson (Norfolk State) via the transfer portal.
Javon Denis Among Top Returners For Georgia State’s Defense
After ranking ninth in the Sun Belt in total defense (399.3 yards per game allowed) and 10th in scoring defense (31.2 points per game allowed), Georgia State is aiming to make some improvements on that side of the ball.
But that’s possible, as six of the Panthers’ top 11 tacklers return this season.
Javon Denis is one of those players returning. The All-Sun Belt honorable mention defensive end tallied 47 tackles, nine for loss, as well as four sacks, five quarterback hurries, and two fumble recoveries in 2022.
Jordan Veneziale is also returning. The inside linebacker led the team with 98 tackles to go with 5.5 TFLs, three pass breakups, three fumble recoveries, three quarterback hurries, and two sacks.
Outside linebacker Shamar McCollum is also back after tying the team lead with 4.5 sacks last year. He also added 45 tackles and nine tackles for loss.
Georgia State also picked up several defenders in the transfer portal who arrive after playing for other Division I programs. The Panthers added defensive lineman Henry Bryant III (Louisville), inside linebacker Tavian Brown (Colorado State), outside linebacker Kevin Swint (Clemson), cornerback Gavin Pringle (Bucknell), and safety TyGee Leach (Lehigh).
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Georgia State Football Season Prediction
Georgia State won’t win the Sun Belt title and might not even get to five wins.
The Sun Belt is going to be extremely competitive this year. I have a tough time identifying more than three games that the Panthers could win against conference foes.
I do believe the Panthers will enjoy a better start to the 2023 season than last year. I’m anticipating they’ll win against Rhode Island and UConn, and might even beat Charlotte on the road in the third week of their season.
But I don’t think the Panthers are better than LSU, Coastal Carolina, Troy, or JMU. I also don’t think they will defeat Louisiana or Georgia Southern on the road.
The Panthers could give Marshall and Appalachian State problems since those games will be at Georgia State. So I could see the Panthers splitting those two games and winning at Old Dominion to end the year.
But that still gives Georgia State a losing record. The Panthers will have to play very well at home throughout the season against some tough opponents to be .500 or better by the end of the year.
