Preview 2019: Previewing and looking ahead to the Georgia Southern Eagles season with what you need to know.
– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak
– What You Need To Know: Offense | Defense
– Top Players | Key Players, Games, Stats
– What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
– Schedule Analysis
– Georgia Southern Previews 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015
2018 Record: 10-3 overall, 6-2 in Sun Belt
Head Coach: Chad Lunsford, 3rd season: 12-7
5. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE GEORGIA SOUTHERN OFFENSE
– It took a while in 2017 to get back on track, and last year the offense got the option attack down. Others were more explosive and more effective, but the Eagles were still able to finish seventh in the nation on the ground averaging 266 yards per game. The biggest difference was the passing game that didn’t bomb away, but also didn’t give away any interceptions.
– QB Shai Werts is back and running the attack, and just enough running backs return to keep it all going. The passing game is along for the ride, but the top receivers return. Top running backs Wesley Fields and Monteo Garrett are done, but there are more where they came through to crank up the production again.
– The line loses star tackle Jeremiah Culbreth and good center Curtis Rainey, but the right side will be good, and it’s up for former Georgia transfer to rise up into a role on the left side.
NEXT: What You Need To Know About the Defense, Top Players, Keys to the Season, What Will Happen
4. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE GEORGIA SOUTHERN DEFENSE
– The defense gets a big boost from the offense. The Eagles dominate the time of possession battle with their running game, and it shows for a D that was good against the run and strong enough against the better passing teams to get by. The pass rush is going to be just okay, and there aren’t enough plays behind the line on third downs. Even so, the Eagles should be effective again after allowing just 21.5 points and 357 yards per game.
– The corners are the stars. Kindle Vildor is among the nation’s best all-around defensive backs, and Monquavion Brinson is a fantastic tackler who can make big things happen when the ball is in the air, too. The safeties, though, need depth and have to find a replacement for leading tackler and all-star Joshua Moon.
– The front seven is fine, but the group has to get behind the line. It’s a young group, but it’s talented. The linebacking tandem of Randy Wade outside and Chris Harris inside can hit, and RJ Johnson is a good-looking end with all-star potential and skill.
NEXT: Top Players, Keys To the Season, What Will Happen
3. TOP GEORGIA SOUTHERN PLAYERS
Best Georgia Southern Offensive Player
QB Shai Werts, Jr.
No one will will ever confuse Werts for Tom Brady as a passer, but Brady can’t run like Werts. The 5-11, 200-pound sophomore wasn’t miserable when he had to throw – completing 60% of his passes for 987 yards with ten touchdowns – and most importantly, he didn’t throw a pick. He’s a runner, averaging five yards per carry for 981 yards and 15 scores.
2. RB Wesley Kennedy, Jr.
3. PK Tyler Bass, Sr.
4. RB Logan Wright, Soph.
5. OG Jake Edwards, Sr.
Best Georgia Southern Defensive Player
CB Kindle Vildor, Sr.
One of the Sun Belt’s best pass defenders, the 5-11, 180-pound veteran came on as junior, locking down one side of the field with four interceptions and 11 broken up passes in an All-Sun Belt season. Very quick and very active when the ball is in the air, he can also tackle, making 42 stops and doing a strong job in the open field.
2. DE Raymond Johnson, Jr.
3. CB Monquavion Brinson, Sr.
4. DT Ty Phillips, Sr.
5. LB Rashad Byrd, Jr.
NEXT: Keys to the Season, Prediction & What Will Happen
2. KEYS TO THE SEASON
Biggest Key To The Georgia Southern Offense
Get the third down conversion percentage to over 40%. With this offense, the team is almost always in a 3rd-and-short situation and needs to control the game and control the clock. Normally, Georgia Southern is well over that 40% mark on third downs, but it was at 30% last year and going under 40% seven times. All three losses – and the close call against Eastern Michigan in the bowl – came when the O didn’t have total control of the games.
Biggest Key To The Georgia Southern Defense
The tackles for loss have to come. The Eagle defense isn’t on the field all that often because the offense usually controls the time of possession, but the plays in the backfield have to be there. GSU doesn’t usually dominate the stats, but it only came up with 63 tackles for loss last season and didn’t generate enough steady pressure. If the D can get to 75 or more tackles for loss, look out.
Key Player To A Successful Season
OG Jake Edwards, Sr.
The offensive line is going to be fine in time – it takes something different to be a blocker in this system. The 6-4, 280-pound Edwards was a decent prospect for Georgia, but transferred to Georgia Southern early on. He hasn’t been able to establish himself as a starter, but the Eagles could use him as a key part of the puzzle at one of the guard spots.
Key Game To The Georgia Southern Season
at Appalachian State, Oct. 31
The Eagles rocked the Mountaineers last season 34-14, but didn’t take advantage of the moment with two straight losses to follow. This year, they have to face Troy on the road, but that comes after a week off. Get by ASU again, and the Sun Belt East race might be on the line with the trip to Troy to follow.
– Georgia Southern Schedule Breakdown & Analysis
2018 Georgia Southern Fun Stats
– Turnovers: Opponents 27 – Georgia Southern 5
– Rushing Yards: Georgia Southern 3,716 – Opponents 2,080
– Field Goals: Georgia Southern 19-of-21 – Opponents 12-of-17
NEXT: What Will Happen
1. GEORGIA SOUTHERN WIN TOTAL PREDICTION: WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN
You know what’s coming with the Eagles.
The option attack will keep on marching as long as QB Shai Werts is able to stay in one piece – and if the line comes together – but there are decent backup options to step in under center if needed.
On both sides of the ball, the overall experience should be enough to turn things up a few notches. This might not be a ten-win team again considering the schedule, but it should still be better. The offense, though, has to be a differentiating factor against some of the big boys on the road.
Set The Regular Season Win Total At … 7
At LSU, at Minnesota, at Appalachian State, at Troy, at Arkansas State. The Eagle offense and system are generally road-proof, but it’s still asking for way too much to win more than two of those nasty games away from Statesboro.
Last year’s team was able to beat seven teams that didn’t go bowling. This season, the slate isn’t going to be as forgiving. The Eagles will absolutely go bowling, but those two road games at Troy and Appalachian State will be enough to miss out on playing for the Sun Belt title.
– What You Need To Know: Offense | Defense
– Top Players | Key Players, Games, Stats
– What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
– Schedule Analysis
