After a convincing 31-19 win on the road against MAC opponent Ball State, Georgia State gets a week off to rest up and get healthy before tackling the remainder of their season. That is a perfect time to get to know the opponents the Panthers will face to close out the second half of their season.
The Panthers split the remainder of their schedule with 3 games in the Georgia Dome and three on the road. The remaining opponents are a combined 15-19 with only one team, Georgia Southern, currently over the .500 mark. These opponents are collectively scoring an average of about 30 points per game and allowing 34, while GSU is averaging 25 points per game and allowing 36.
Based on the first half of the season, it would seem that the best home advantage the Panthers have had – was their home away from home. While on the road, the Panthers are scoring an average of 31 points and allowing 37, however, one road game was vs. 2014 National Championship finalist Oregon. While at home the Panthers are averaging 19 points per game and allowing 34. Both wins on the season thus far have come on the road against New Mexico State and Ball State.
Nationally speaking, the last 6 opponents on the Panthers schedule have an average ranking of Total Offense of 65 and Total Defense of 74. In comparison, Georgia State ranks 61st in Total Offense (+4) and 115th (-41) in Total Defense.
Georgia State ranks 5th in Total Offense within SunBelt. 3 of the Panthers remaining opponents, Georgia Southern, Texas State and Louisiana-Lafayette, are ranked higher. Appalachian State leads the conference with 490 yards per game.
Georgia State ranks 8th in Total Defense within the SunBelt. 5 teams left on the 2015 schedule rank higher than the Panthers in this category: Georgia Southern, Arkansas State, Troy, South Alabama, and Louisiana-Lafayette. Appalachian State also claims top dog in the SunBelt limiting teams to 281.2 yards per game allowed.
Here is a look, and a reminder of the results from a year ago, on the flip side of the Panthers schedule:
10/31 @Arkansas State (3-3/2-0) 2014: Red Wolves 52 Panthers 10
Keep an eye on this guy: WR JD McKissic is second in the conference in kickoff returns with an average of 27.1 yards and ranks 9th in receiving.
11/7 Louisiana-Lafayette (2-3/1-0) 2014: Ragin Cajuns 34 Panthers 31
Keep an eye on this guy: DB Jeryl Brazil leads the SunBelt in kickoff returns with an average of 32 yards.
11/14 @Texas State (1-4/0-1) 2014: Bobcats 54 Panthers 31
Keep an eye on this guy: Kicker Lumi Kaba leads the SunBelt in kickoffs with an average of 63 yards and 21 touchbacks.
11/21 South Alabama (3-3/1-1) 2014: Jaguars 30 Panthers 27
Keep an eye on this guy: Devon Earl leads the SunBelt in forced fumbles with a total of 3.
11/27 Troy (1-5/0-2) 2014: Trojans 45 Panthers 21
Keep an eye on this guy: WR Teddy Ruben leads the SunBelt in punt returns with an average of 21.2 yards.
12/5 @Georgia Southern (5-1/3-0) 2014: Eagles 69 Panthers 31
Keep an eye on this guy: RB Matt Breida leads the SunBelt averaging 145.83 yards per game and 11 touchdowns. Breida also leads in scoring with 66 points so far after 6 games.