Surprised Army is currently only an 8-point home favorite against winless Georgia State (0-4) on the eve of Saturday’s game at Michie Stadium.
Georgia State’s schedule has included a season opener at South Carolina and three straight home losses to North Carolina (which was tied after third quarters), Charlotte (a 1-point defeat) and undefeated Coastal Carolina (41-24).
The Panthers have allowed 35 points or more in every game. Georgia State has four players listed No. 1 on the defensive depth chart that started in Army’s 43-10 2021 season-opening win over the Panthers.
Georgia State quarterback Darren Grainger has thrown as many interceptions (4) in the first four games as he did all last season.
Army (1-2) is fresh off a bye following its first victory of the season, 49-10 over Villanova. To a man, Army players have said that they are not overlooking Georgia State ahead of their road game at No. 21 Wake Forest next Saturday.
Senior center and co-captain Connor Bishop said Army needs to play with a sense of desperation against Georgia State.
Sal Interdonato (Black Knight Nation): Army 34, Georgia State 17. Much-needed win for Black Knights. Army’s defense need to force Georgia State into 3rd-and-long to up Andre Carter and the pass rush to make opportunities for Marquel Broughton, Jabari Moore and the secondary.
Brendan In Jersey: Army 31, Georgia State 24. “I never like it when a favorite team plays a winless opponent, because you never know if the opposition is ready to pack it in, or ready to fight like wounded animals. Frankly, both teams badly need a win here, but only one will get one. If Army can run the ball and stop the run, they should come out on top; if not, it could be another long afternoon at Michie Stadium.”
Steve Kriepe (Crawdad’s Countdown to Kickoff): Army 34, Georgia State 26. “I see the Black Knights picking up where they left off against a very respectable Villanova team with a complete game offensively. Looking at our lone common opponent even though Georgia State played Coastal Carolina at home while Army traveled to Coastal Carolina. Army’s defense held Coastal Carolina to fewer points and Army scored more points than Georgia State. Army will come away with a much-needed ‘W’.”
Predictions from across the college football universe
Pete Fiutak (College Football News): Army 38, Georgia State 30
