Texas State vs. Georgia State Preview

Location: Bobcat Stadium, San Marcos, TX

Kickoff: Saturday, September 21st 6 p.m. CST

TV/Radio: ESPN3/San Marcos: AM 1300, 930 AM, 89.9 FM. Atlanta: WZGC-FM (92.9 The Game), WAOK-AM (1380), WRAS-FM (88.5)

Series Record: Series tied at 3-3.

Last Meeting: Bobcats won the last meeting 40-31 in 2018

Betting Line: TXST -3; O/U: 63

We are now into the conference play of 2019 college football season and teams are finding their identities and footing among the sea of 130 FBS teams. Some have new coaches, new players and some are established programs chugging along their successful trajectory.

The Panthers are infant-babies in the world of college football, the placenta still lying on the floor of old Turner Field where John Smoltz’s slider and Tom Glavine’s changeup dominated teams (except for the postseason). Texas State has had a football team since almost the very beginning of their school’s existence. With a 106 year head-start on Georgia State’s program the 1904 team was the first squad produced by the Bobcats but still the team is about as popular in Central Texas as me on dating apps.

But even if you are you are not a follower of either team the matchup is intriguing for any fan of college football.

The Panthers in Week one took down the once proud and mighty Tennessee Volunteers of the SEC in a tremendous upset. Yes, Tennessee has fielded teams recently that have held up as well as a cardboard playhouse in a tsunami but nonetheless it was a win against a P5 team. A hangover ensued and after a close shave in a win against FCS Furman they got smashed by former Cotton Bowl participants Western Michigan like the guy on the Cannibal Corpse album cover Hammer Smashed Face, 57-10.

Texas State has been best described as a “sleeping giant” especially even more since the hiring of Jake Spavital. But so far these “giants” have only left giant poopies in their wake. TXST is rebuilding but worth getting behind. They have potential and i know the tradition of a big time program isn’t really instilled but remember kids, Miami was once a looked-down upon program.

Georgia State

The Panthers have already matched their winning total from last year and leading the way is dual-threat quarterback extraordinaire Dan Ellington. So far Ellington has thrown for 627 yards with eight touchdowns on only one interception. Add on his nearly 200 yards on the ground and he is by far the most threatening force to a Bobcat defense that has given up an average of 37 points a game.

Running back Tra Barnett had 127 yards last week against Western Michigan and carries a 5.6 average on the ground. Look for the Panthers to try to wear down Texas State and absorb as much clock as they can.

And eating clock will be a major force since the defense has been getting manhandled themselves giving up 43 points and 545.3 yards a game and 8.1 yards a play.

Texas State

For Texas State the quarterback saga continues.

Gresch Jensen has been the starter the last two games, throwing for 739 yards, with three touchdowns and five interceptions. Jensen’s inconsistencies under duress has given the Texas State staff some doubts on who their man will be under center. Tyler Vitt started the season against Texas A&M but wouldn’t see action until the end of game three versus SMU.

For now Coach Spavital has not named a starter against Georgia State.

Offensively the Bobcats have been plagued by two things: turnovers and the lack of a running game. In three games the ‘Cats are bringing 24.7 yards a game to the table on a 1.1 yards per carry average. This has got to change because no way in hell the Bobcats win a game on that kind of production.

We already know the players to the defensive side. Bryan London II, Nikolas Daniels, Jashon Waddy, etc. They are good and they will eat you up, like the fight motto. They need some help from the offense thought. Like I said you won’t win any games when your defense can’t get off the field.

The arrival of conference play has brought some relief from the recent losses as a way to stay optimistic amid a tough skid of games.

Conclusion

Texas State is actually favored but these two teams seem evenly matched. A Panther defense that gives up massive amounts of points and yards against an offense dying for some consistency.

Something’s got to give and I have to give it to Texas State for a 25-21 win.