After a strong start to 2023, Georgia Southern finished the regular season on a four-game losing streak. That took the Eagles out of contention for a Sun Belt Championship, but they still earned bowl eligibility.
Georgia Southern has gone 6-7 overall each of the past two seasons under head coach Clay Helton. The Eagles have managed to secure spots in bowl games during those years, but they hope to be even better – and be in position to win a conference title.
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Georgia Southern Football’s Sun Belt Title Odds
Georgia Southern’s odds to win the Sun Belt are +2200, via BetMGM.
Georgia Southern Football’s Betting Odds & Over/Under Win Total
Georgia Southern’s win total Over/Under is 5.5, with Under 5.5 at -125 and Over 5.5 at +105.
Georgia Southern Football’s 2024 Schedule
8/31 vs. Boise State
9/7 @ Nevada
9/14 vs. South Carolina State
9/21 @ Ole Miss
9/28 @ Georgia State
10/12 vs. Marshall
10/19 vs. JMU
10/24 @ Old Dominion
11/2 @ South Alabama
11/16 vs. Troy
11/23 @ Coastal Carolina
11/30 vs. App State
Bold indicates Sun Belt contests
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Key Georgia Southern Football Returners
2023 All-Sun Belt 1st Team
LB Marques Watson-Trent
3rd Team
RB Jalen White
DL Isaac Walker
Honorable Mention
WR Derwin Burgess Jr.
DB TJ Smith
Georgia Southern Football Has Stars On Both Sides Of The Ball
There’s no doubt Georgia Southern has talent offensively. But the Eagles need to find an answer at quarterback without All-Sun Belt honorable mention passer Davis Brin.
JC French, who was Brin’s backup last year and threw for 122 yards, one touchdown, and one pick on 13-of-16 passing while rushing for 48 yards on 14 attempts, was named the starter. He surely will have weapons around him. All-conference third-team selection Jalen White returns at running back for the Eagles after ranking top 10 in the Sun Belt with 889 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground. OJ Arnold, who ran for 411 yards and four scores on 75 carries, is also back.
All-Sun Belt honorable mention Derwin Burgess Jr. is also returning after ranking sixth in the league with 74 receptions which went for 813 yards and six scores. Dalen Cobb (601 yards and two touchdowns on 40 catches) is back as well.
Georgia Southern’s transfer portal class was ranked 11th in the Sun Belt by 247Sports, but the Eagles did manage to add a few talented players, including on the offensive line which will certainly help.
On defense, Marques Watson-Trent will continue to lead the way for the Eagles. The Group of Five All-American paced the Eagles with 122 tackles to go with 13 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and two interceptions in 2023.
Isaac Walker is back for the Eagles’ defense up front. He recorded 8.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, seven pass breakups, five forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and 24 total tackles. In the secondary, TJ Smith should play a key role as he totaled 52 tackles, three interceptions, and three pass breakups last season.
While Georgia Southern was in the top six in the Sun Belt in scoring offense (30.2 points per game) and total offense (419.5 yards per game), the Eagles will certainly want to make strides on defense after ranking outside of the top eight for points allowed (30.1 per game) and yards allowed (396.1 per game).
2024 Georgia Southern Football Season Prediction
I predict Georgia Southern won’t take the Sun Belt Championship and will win less than six games.
The Eagles are simply going to have a tough time in the Sun Belt. I believe they are capable of beating Georgia State and Old Dominion on the road. They might also be better than Marshall, a home game for Georgia Southern. But right now, I don’t believe the Eagles will manage to defeat JMU, Troy, Coastal Carolina, or App State. The deciding game for whether Georgia Southern goes .500 might be its road trip to South Alabama, but I’m not sure the Eagles will win that one away from home.
And in non-conference play, Georgia Southern has to take on Boise State and Ole Miss as well as Nevada – which might not be an easy game if that program begins to turn things around – and South Carolina State. The best-case scenario for the Eagles, in my mind, would be going 2-2 in those matchups.
Georgia Southern is certainly capable of surprising people. But a lot would have to go right for this team in order for that to happen.
