Going into the season, some believed Coastal Carolina would win the Sun Belt. The Chanticleers will face their first hurdle in that quest for a conference title when they host Georgia State.
Coastal Carolina is 2-1 with its only loss being to UCLA, 27-13, to start the year. Meanwhile, Georgia State is 3-0 and most recently won at Charlotte last week.
Both teams are in the HERO Sports G5 Top 25 Rankings this week. This game could serve as an indicator of which team has the best chance of winning that Sun Belt Championship.
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Odds For Georgia State-Coastal Carolina
Coastal Carolina is a 6.5-point college football betting odds favorite at home against Georgia State. The Panthers have +225 odds to win while the Chanticleers’ odds are at -275. The Over/Under is 62.5.
CCU Football Relying On Offense Thus Far
Many believed Coastal Carolina had some of the best weapons on offense in the Group of Five heading into the season. The Chanticleers haven’t done anything to disprove that notion.
Coastal Carolina quarterback Grayson McCall, a HERO Sports G5 Preseason All-American, has thrown for 708 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions on a 69% completion rate. He’s helped the Chanticleers rank in the top 50 in the country in terms of yards (419.7 per game) and points (36.3 per game).
Wide receivers Sam Pinckney, who’s caught 15 passes for 244 yards and two touchdowns, and Jared Brown, who’s added 187 yards and a touchdown on 17 receptions while also leading the team with 94 rushing yards to go with another TD, have been stellar. Coastal Carolina also has a plus-four turnover margin and a positive time of possession thus far.
Coastal Carolina’s defense is 95th in the country with 385.7 yards allowed per game, but the team also ranks 36th with 16.67 points per game allowed. With playmakers like safety Clayton Isbell, who’s tied for the FBS lead with three interceptions, the Chanticleers have done pretty well at keeping opponents out of the end zone despite giving up some explosive plays.
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Georgia State University Has An Opportunity To Stand Out In the Sun Belt
Expectations weren’t high for Georgia State going into the season, as its win total Over/Under was 5.5. But the Panthers already have three wins through three weeks.
That’s been possible in no small part because of their offense. They’re tied for 26th in the FBS with 39.3 points per game scored and are 34th with 462 yards per game.
Panthers quarterback Darren Grainger has been exceptional. He has a 6-0 touchdown-to-interception ratio and 803 yards through the air on a 73% completion rate. He’s also rushed for 216 yards and two scores.
Marcus Carroll is first in the country with seven rushing touchdowns and is top five with 358 yards on the ground. Robert Lewis is in the top 10 with 347 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 17 receptions.
But like Coastal Carolina, Georgia State has shown some weaknesses on defense. The Panthers are 77th in the country with 24.67 points per game allowed and 103rd with 400.7 yards per game allowed.
Coastal Carolina Vs. Georgia State Football Prediction
I predict Coastal Carolina will cover the spread at -6.5 and that these two teams will go Under 62.5 total points.
I believe Coastal Carolina will be at its best in this matchup. The Chanticleers offense will find its rhythm, and their defense will make pivotal plays to limit Georgia State’s scoring.
Georgia State-Coastal Carolina Game On TV
GSU will play CCU at 7:30 p.m. ET Thursday on ESPN. The game will be played at Brooks Stadium in Conway, South Carolina.
