Sun Belt: Georgia State

Georgia State Panthers

2015 Results: 6-7 (5-3. 4th in Sun Belt)

Lost to San Jose State in Cure Bowl

Returning Starters: 6 OFF, 9 DEF

2016 Schedule

September

2nd BALL STATE

10th at Air Force

17th at Wisconsin

October

1st at Appalachian State

8th Texas State

15th at Troy

22nd TENNESSEE-MARTIN

29th at South Alabama

November

 3rd ARKANSAS STATE

12th LOUISIANA-MONROE

19th GEORGIA SOUTHERN

December

3rd at Idaho

Like teams in the Sun Belt before them, Georgia State is adjusting well to the jump in the level of division. The Panthers went to their first bowl game after closing out the season with four straight wins. They return enough personnel that it is not far fetched to believe they won't improve on last year and secure the program's first winning season since moving to the Bowl Subdivision.

The Panthers lose starting quarterback Nick Arbuckle who accumulated 7,600 yards over the past two seasons. Coaches have kept the replacement decision close to the vest as they have stated repeatedly that a starter will not be named before the first game. However, it will likely be former Utah transfer Conner Manning lining up behind center when the Panthers open up with Ball State. Three of the four top receivers return for the Panthers meaning that the eventual quarterback will have plenty of experienced targets. Wide receiver Robert Davis was first team Sun Belt last year, and tight end Keith Rucker was second. The rushing attack was one of the worst in the nation last year after averaging only 96.9 yards per game, but the Panthers are hoping that junior Glenn Smith will turn that statistic around. Three linemen return with a combined 50 starts between them.

The Panthers lost two all-conference players on defense from a year ago, but return the other nine starters. Former UAB linebacker Alonzo McGee returns after leading the team in tackles for loss with 12.5 last season. The secondary returns three led by senior safety Bobby Baker who had three INTs. They key for this defense will be just how much they pressure opposing quarterbacks.

Player to Watch: Penny Hart

The shifty receiver might not be big in size (5-8, 170), but he is the key to the offense. As a freshman, Hart had 71 receptions and was named Sun Belt Freshman of the year. Being the best receiver on the team, Hart is bound to dazzle fans all season long.

If you only watch them once, watch:

9/17 at Wisconsin

Not that we're going to put the Badgers on upset alert, but it is worth noting that they have a conference clash with rival Michigan State the following week. Don't put words in our mouth.

What to Expect

The starting quarterback will be the main question that hangs around this team, but it doesn't mean their sunk. The season will come down to how the Panthers close out the final four games of the season.

Prediction

7-5 (5-3, Sun Belt)

-Dug

@chansm1th

Conference USA Preview: Florida International University Panthers

Florida International University Panthers

Last Year: 5-7 (3-5)/ 4th East Division

Florida International was one game away from a bowl, but lost their last two games by a combined score of 115-7. The Panthers feasted on the bottom of the barrel in C-USA, getting their 3 wins from 3 of the 4 worst teams in the conference (Charlotte, Old Dominion, UTEP).

Players to Watch

QB Alex McGough

• Conference 6th Leading Passer 
•  Completed 64% of passes

LB Anthony Wint

• 2nd Team All-Conference USA
• Team's Leading Tackler

WR Thomas Owens

• 8TD Catches in 2015
• Projected Top Receiver

The Panthers return 12 starters (9 on offense, 5 on defense). Starting with the offense. QB Alex McGough will stay under center. The Junior had some of the best passing stats in FIU’s history. McGough threw for 2722 yards, 21 TDs, and 8 INTs. He’s 7 TD’s away from tying the school’s all-time passing touchdowns record.WR Thomas Owens is another Panther to keep an eye on in the offense for the upcoming season. As a sophomore, Owens had 51 receptions for 638 yards, grabbing 8 TDs, which tied the school record for receiving TD’s in a season. Owens DID break the school record for consecutive games with a touchdown reception at 6 games.

The weak point of the Panthers is no question the offensive line. Last year, 7 different starting lineups came 
onto the field for FIU. All 5 starters return, and hope to improve on run blocking. The Panthers were dead last in the conference averaging 109.9 yds/game.

To the defense, the DL returns just one starter (Imarjaye Albury). The squad lost 16 sacks to graduating seniors.

The anchor of the defense comes from 2 linebackers: Anthony Wint and Treyvon Williams. Wint, a junior, has been described as a tackling machine. He needs 88 more tackles to crack into the school’s top-10 tackling list, and he led the team with 88 tackles last season.

Total Offense	106th/10 (337.8)	Total Defense	75th/7th (406.1)
Passing	51st/5th (237.8)	Passing	57th/2nd (221.0)
Rushing	116th/13 (109.9)	Rushing	76th/7th (185.1)
Points	/7th (25.5)	Points Allowed	/7th (29.8)

Big Games of 2016

Oct 1st Florida Atlantic

Nov 5th @ WKU

Nov 11th Marshall

A rivalry games is usually the most important game of the season, especially when you lost by 2 touchdowns the year before. The other two games are revenge games. Going into November 14th, 2015, FIU was sitting at 5-5 looking for their first bowl game since 2011. They proceeded to get blown out of the atmosphere the next two weeks by that combined 115-7. If they have any fight in them, they need to use it here.

Prediction

2016: 6-6 (4-4)/ 4th East

This will be an interesting year for the Panthers. Look for wins against Old Dominion, Charlotte, and Florida Atlantic, but don't sleep on FIU to sneak a game out against either Middle Tennessee State or Marshall. I feel good about this team.