The Georgia State University Panthers (4-6, 3-3 SBC) and their powerful rushing offense head to take on the James Madison University Dukes (6-3, 4-2 SBC) and their exceptional ground defense at Showker Field at Bridgeforth Stadium on Saturday. The Dukes are nine-point favorites, and the total is 52.
Georgia State is coming off a close 31-28 loss at the hands of Louisiana-Monroe at Center Parc Stadium last Saturday. Darren Grainger threw for 349 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Marcus Carroll ran 28 times for 100 yards. Jamari Thrash caught nine passes for 164 yards.
James Madison beat Old Dominion 37-3 at Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium last Saturday. Todd Centeio was 18 of 21 for 304 yards and an interception. Percy Agyei-Obese carried 16 times for 82 yards and a touchdown. Kris Thornton hauled in six receptions for 140 yards.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Panthers are averaging 29.7 points per game for the season, sixth in the SBC, and they are facing a Dukes defense that has surrendered 20.3 PPG (4th). Meanwhile, James Madison has scored 35.3 points a game this season, best in the conference, and Georgia State is allowing 30.4 PPG (11th).
The Panthers rank as one of the nation’s top teams in rushing yards per game (242.6, 8th), while they are 106th in passing yards (196.4). They will be matching strength against strength on the ground, as the Dukes are second in the nation in rushing yards allowed per game (79.0).
Against the pass, James Madison is 67th (226.8).James Madison is 39th in the country in passing yards per game (262.4) and 37th in rushing (187.6), while the Panthers are allowing 226.4 passing yards (66th) and 161.7 rushing yards per game (87th).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through 10 games, Darren Grainger has thrown for 16 touchdowns (7 INT) and 196.4 yards per game to lead Georgia State in passing. In four away games this season, he has four TDs (2 INT) and an average of 118.5 yards passing.
Darren Grainger also leads the team in rushing with an average of 70.0 yards per game. He has five touchdowns on the ground. Jamari Thrash is the Panthers’ leading receiver with 81.9 yards a game and five TDs.
Todd Centeio has 17 passing touchdowns (5 INT) with 267.0 yards per game through eight games to lead James Madison. In three home games this season, he has thrown for nine TDs (1 INT) and an average of 236.3 yards.
Percy Agyei-Obese has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 92.5 yards a game through eight games. He has six touchdowns. Kris Thornton has been a key target in the Dukes’ passing game. He has five touchdowns and a 94.9 yard per game average through nine appearances.
SportsTips’ College Foottball Pick:
James Madison (-350)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
