South Alabama vs. Georgia State Prediction and Game Preview

1. South Alabama’s Rushing Attack
The Jaguars own one of the Sun Belt’s top rushing attacks, averaging 196.4 yards a game this season. Senior Kentrel Bullock (568 yards) leads the way, but PJ Martin (322) and Keenan Phillips (302) will also factor into the mix, with quarterback Bishop Davenport (176) also adding pop to the ground game.

With Davenport up-and-down as a passer this season, along with the depth in the backfield, South Alabama coach Major Applewhite should be able to lean heavily on this group on Thursday night. Georgia State ranks 13th in the Sun Belt against the run, surrendering 207.4 yards a game on the ground. Five of the Panthers’ first seven opponents have eclipsed over 200 rushing yards this season, and this unit is giving up 5.1 yards a carry. 

2. Georgia State QB Cameran Brown
Three signal-callers have played for Georgia State this season, but junior Cameran Brown has provided a bit of a spark for the offense over the last two games. Brown enters Thursday night’s game with 882 passing yards and eight touchdowns to zero picks. He’s also added 184 yards and three scores on the ground. In last week’s loss to Georgia Southern, Brown threw for 280 yards and a touchdown and guided the offense to an average of 6.2 yards a play - the highest mark against a FBS opponent in ‘25.

Will Brown benefit from another week to work as the No. 1 quarterback? With one of the Sun Belt’s top playmakers in Ted Hurst (42 catches for 579 yards and three scores) on the outside, another week of development by Brown will test a South Alabama secondary that has yet to allow an opponent to throw for more than 240 yards this year.

South Alabama ranks near the bottom of the Sun Belt in rush defense, but the Panthers average only 99 yards a game on the ground (14th in the conference). If coordinator Hue Jackson can squeeze a little more production out of running backs like Rashad Amos or Branson Robinson, it can only help Brown attack through the air.

3. South Alabama’s Passing Attack
South Alabama’s passing attack ranks among the lowest in the Sun Belt, with quarterback Bishop Davenport averaging only 168.7 yards a game through the air. The junior has tossed nine touchdowns to four picks but is completing 66.3 percent of his passes. Receiver Devin Voisin (41 catches) is the go-to target, but Davenport could use more out of secondary weapons like Anthony Eager (24 catches) and tight end Miller McCrumby (10).

Could this be the game where Davenport and the passing game get on track? Georgia State ranks No. 119 nationally in success rate against the pass and has surrendered 29 completions of 20-plus yards. The Panthers are last in the Sun Belt in scoring defense (41.1 points a game allowed) and give up 6.4 yards a snap. Davenport will have opportunities to get the passing game going early and often on Thursday.

Final Score Prediction: South Alabama 31, Georgia State 24

At 1-6, both teams should be motivated and desperate to get back into the win column on Thursday night. The two offenses are relatively even on the stat sheet, but South Alabama’s defense (5.6 yards a play allowed) is significantly better than Georgia State’s unit. That’s the difference on Thursday night.

ATS: South Alabama -6.5
Over/Under: Under 55.5