Georgia State vs. Old Dominion - Preview & Prediction

Georgia State vs. Old Dominion

Kickoff: 3:30pm Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium

TV/Radio: Comcast Channel 499  WCFO 1160 AM, WRAS 88.5

Foreman Field.  Expect 19,782 people in attendance and only a few leaving happy.

Photo Courtesy of ODU Sports Communications

Quick Slant: The Panthers play their 2nd road game coming off an OT victory vs. NC Central (which then proceeded to fire its coach) 20-17. Old Dominion is coming off a bye week after getting their doors blown off in the 4th quarter vs. Cal-Poly. This game will serve as Homecoming for the Monarchs, a fact that all of our players and coaches know well.

About Old Dominion: ODU is 3-3 on the season and will join the CAA in 2011. QB Thomas DeMarco is a dual threat as he has rushed for 203 yards and passed for 1668 yards with 18 combined TDs (15 passing, 3 rushing). DeMarco spreads the ball around as 13 different ODU players have receptions. His primary target over the last 3 weeks is Prentice Gill a 5'11 WR out of Los Angeles. They've thrown the ball on average of 41 times per game and threw a season high 57 passes vs. Cal-Poly.

What to Watch:
1) Can the Panthers force pressure? ODU has allowed 7 sacks through 6 games. Getting after DeMarco will be a top priority because they have shown a propensity to wear down later in games.

2) Can the Panthers take advantage of a small front 7? The Panthers faced an NC Central 3-4 defense that had a combined weight of 1828lbs. The Monarchs are 102lbs. lighter across their 4-3. Patience with the run and a new offensive formation will help move the chains.

3) Can the Panthers continue to play great vs. the pass? The Panthers young secondary would currently rank 16th in the FCS in pass defense (not ranked statistically because we are technically reclassifying for the 2010 season) allowing only 149 yard per game through the air. ODU dials up passes. It's strength on strength and Fred Barnes will be in the cross hairs as he has been all year so far.

Georgia State Wins If...
They are able to win the turnover battle (ODU has thrown 9 INTs and lost 4 fumbles on the season). The Panthers have done a great job getting turnovers in the last few games but the inability to cash them in nearly got them beat vs. NC Central. Run the ball and continue to take your shots down the field to Danny Williams and the Panthers should send the Homecoming crowd home disappointed.

Old Dominion Wins If...
They ride the wave of emotion and hit big plays in special teams. The Monarchs do not run the ball except for show and on QB draws. If they can use the quick kicks and hit big plays in the passing game, they could beat the Panthers.


Georgia State Checklist:
1) Pound the football - Kelton Hill was the leading rusher vs. NC Central. I have no doubt that he will hold onto the football better this week and exploit a smaller front 7. The unveiling of a new offensive formation will only enhance the cuts that the RBs can make. 35 runs plus to take the crowd out of it and move the chains.


2) Keep the play in front of you - ODU likes to dial up long passes over the top. I'd venture to say they haven't seen what Coach Thompson has cooked up. The LBs will have to play big as DeMarco can take off if he smells trouble. They WRs are quick but not tall and our CBs and safeties will need to be aware of things over the top.

3) Spread the ball around - Drew has done a fantastic job spreading the ball around to RBs, TEs and WRs. I think the formula has to stay the same. It's safe to say that ODU is aware of Danny Williams after 2 100 yard receiving days. If they roll coverage his way, Sidney, Albert, Arthur and Bo will all have opportunities to make plays.

The Roar
Old Dominion has sold all of their allotted 19,000 plus tickets which will mean the Panthers are facing significant crowd noise for the first time. The coaching staff pumped in crowd noise to practice this week including the ODU fight song. ODU features 2 players from Georgia including former Georgia Tech and Dunwoody HS grad Deron Jasper. The game is being billed as a "Blue Out" with ODU fans wearing all blue.

Prediction: Georgia State 28, Old Dominion 21

Tuesday Quick Hitters - 10.19.10

Happy Tuesday everyone!  I hope you enjoyed Saturday as much as I did.  Looking forward to a pretty big measuring stick in Norfolk this Saturday with Old Dominion.  The Monarchs are using us as Homecoming.  Let's bet that will certainly be on the minds of the players and coaches this week.

Onto the links...

Examiner.com - Checking In With Our Opponents:  As usual, Bob R. does a great job running down our opponents this week.  Our foes have a combined record of 37-34 after going 4-6 this past weekend.  Examiner.com Link


Gwinnett Daily Post - Last Chance for Iain Vance: Saturday's hero gets a good writeup from our old friend David Friedlander.  GDP Link

Yet another 1st: NC Central Head Coach Mose Rison has been relieved of his duties after we beat them in OT on Sataurday.  He has one more year on his contract and has been reassigned within the athletic department.  Durham Herald-Sun Link

From the AJC: More Georgia schools looking to add football: Interesting to see how the rest of the state is reacting to what we are building.  Some interesting notes about Kennesaw needing $10 million to build their program.  We will have quite a lead on them and I truly do not see them as competition moving forward. AJC Link

Highlights to leave you with: Check out ODU's last home game highlights where they gave up 50 points vs. FCS #23 ranked Cal-Poly.  They gave up 23 4th quarter points and gave up 326 yards on the ground.  This may be our formula as well as they ave a very light front 7.  YouTube Link

Georgia State Wins 20-17 in OT

Iain Vance drills the 33 yard game winner in OT.

Photo Courtesy of Kent D. Johnson of the AJC

Great win.  No other way to slice it.  NC Central was primed for the upset and we got very lucky to be in the game after 3 first half INTs registered no points for the home team.  The D Line absolutely stepped up and allowed 32 yards on the ground after getting gashed for 143 yards in the 1st half.  That's called adjustments folks.

The Panthers now sit at 5-2 and will head on the road to Norfolk, VA to face ODU.

Join the conversation at www.PantherTalk.com. 

Sleep well Panther Nation!

Georgia State vs. North Carolina Central - Preview & Prediction

Georgia State vs. NC Central


Kickoff: 1:00pm Georgia Dome

Radio: WRAS 88.5, WCFO 1160

Herman Boone, most remember the name as portrayed by Denzel Washington, is an NC Central alum

Quick Slant: The Panthers play the 3rd game of their latest homestand after pushing aside Savannah State 55-21. The game wasn't close and the team proved it could step on the gas at home when given the opportunity. There were still sloppy plays including: fumbles and drops by the WR corp and penalities. The Panthers are no doubt aware that this will be their toughest game since Jacksonville State.

About Morehead State: The Eagles are coming off arguably their most heartbreaking performance. They enter the Dome 2-3 and watching Hampton score 27 unanswered points after a 13-0 lead. QB Michael Johnson threw 2 INTs that were returned for touchdowns in the second half. RB Tim Shankle is a very capable runner and operates behind a huge offensive line (averages 310 across the line) and an enormous FB in 280lbs. George Mobley.


What to Watch:


1) Can the Panthers Stop the Run? The Eagles average more than 170 yard per game on the ground. The Panthers give up nearly 170 yard per game on the ground. The front seven has to hold up and force NC Central to throw the ball in 3rd and long situations.

2) Can the Panthers sustain long drives? NC Central averages better than 33 minutes of time of possession due in large part to their ability to run the football. Drew Little and the rest of the offense need to be able to march down the field and give the defense time to rest.

3) Can the Panthers win the field position battle? The special team story will tell you everything about this game. If Vance and Schlechter can pin NC Central deep and can flip the field position the defense can take their shots. If the Eagles are able to make plays in special teams with Arthur Goforth then it will be a long day.


Georgia State Wins If...
They protect the ball and execute the offense. Balance the run and the pass and don't be afraid to throw the ball down the field vs. the Eagles. I absolutely expect to see Kelton Hill & Drew Little in the game together at points and for Kelton to get 5 carries or more in the Wild Panther formation. Don't be surprised if we dial up a few trick plays including the reverse with Darren McCray or Albert Wilson because NC Central is prone to overplay in one direction. On defense, keep the game in 3rd and long. NC Central does not throw the ball deep and has only two plays through the air over 30 yards.

NC Central Wins If...
The run the ball and turn the Panthers over. If the turnover margin is +2 or better in favor of the Eagles then the home folks will walk away unhappy. The weakness of GSU has been stopping the run and if Shankle goes north of 100 and they are able to pull off a few plays on special teams with Goforth, then they could secure the upset.


Georgia State Checklist:
1) Win the turnover battle - While aiming to make big plays, the Panthers offense has put the ball on the field. It's time for the defense to put their helmet on the football and there will be opportunities for INTs as well. The Eagles have thrown 6 INTs in 5 games.


2) Don't give up on the run - Their front 7 mirrors ours and they run the same 3-4. The offense must continue its stellar play and run the ball 35 or more times. Even if it's not grabbing 4.0 per carry, it's crucial to stay balanced to crank up the play action to Bully and Emmanuel on the rollouts.


3) Win the battle at the point of attack - The offensive line combines for 1550 lbs. across. The NG and C positions will be ones to watch all day as both teams want to push the other off the ball. If you see LBs flying up into holes and safeties able to make plays within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage, it will be a good day for the Panthers. If you see long gains and 2nd and 3rd down and short, it's going to be a long day for the defense.

The Roar
The NC Central game is not going to bring a ton of fans and with the locals playing early the likelihood of 15,000 or so fans in the building is likely. NC Central is 3-0 playing in NFL venues since 2000 after have played games in Ericsson Stadium (Carolina Panthers), Giants Stadium in New York and at the old Veterans Stadium (Philadelphia Eagles). Mose Rison is the cousin of former Atlanta Falcon Andre 'Bad Moon' Rison. The Eagles will have 11 players from the state of Georgia on the roster.

Prediction: Georgia State 27, NC Central 17

AJC: Panthers Win by 8

N.C. Central at Georgia State: The first-year Panthers play their sixth home game in seven weeks. Just resting their legs before shocking the world in Tuscaloosa! (Go with it.) GSU covers 8.

More good work by Jeff Schultz.  AJC Link