Two of the nation’s best players to start this young season will be on the field for this one, as Matt Breida and the Georgia Southern Eagles travel to ASUI-Kibbie Dome to play Matt Linehan and the Idaho Vandals. The Vandals are 1-2, while the Eagles have a 2-1 record this season. Players will take the field Saturday, Sep 26 at 9:00 p.m. ET and the game will air on the ESP3.
Idaho won in a tight one over Wofford 41-38 last week. Buck Cowan had a big game in the win, totaling seven receptions for 107 yards and one TD. Dezmon Epps had a big game as well, totaling 139 yards on 10 receptions. Georgia Southern managed to get the win as well, winning easily over Citadel 48-13 in its matchup. Matt Breida had an outstanding performance on the ground for the Eagles, gaining 164 yards and two TDs on 14 carries. Chaz Thornton added 67 yards on one attempt.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the Idaho-Georgia Southern game this week is currently unavailable and the Eagles are a heavy 17-point favorite.
The Vandals enter the game with both records currently 1-2 Straight Up (SU) and Against The Spread (ATS) this season. The Vandals have an efficient passing attack that has a completion percentage of 69.8%, good enough for 16th in the country. As for the Idaho defense, there are important areas to keep an eye on. One of the keys to the game will be if the Eagles can protect the ball against Idaho’s aggressive defense. They’re 22nd in the nation in fumbles recovered with one per game.
On the other side, the Eagles have a record of 1-1 ATS and 2-1 SU. If earlier games are any indication, the Eagles will run the ball aggressively. They average 330.3 rushing yards per game, good enough for sixth in Division I. Switching gears to the Georgia Southern defense, there are certain areas where it measures up well against the Vandals. The Vandals will need to secure the ball against the turnover-minded Eagles. The defense ranks fourth in the country in turnovers with three per game. The Eagles can take advantage of Idaho’s bad habit of giving up points heading into halftime. They allow 12.7 points during the second quarter, ranking 119th in Division I.
Predictions: SU Winner – Georgia Southern, ATS Winner – Georgia Southern
Notes
Idaho is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games.
Idaho is 2-19 SU in its last 21 games.
Idaho is 2-8 ATS in its last 10 games at home.
Idaho is 4-17 SU in its last 21 games at home.
Georgia Southern is 2-0 SU when leading at the start of the 4th quarter this season. Idaho is 1-0 SU when leading after three quarters.
Per FBS ratings, Idaho has an advantage in the passing game. Its offensive passing game (ranked 35th in the country) will face the 61st-ranked pass defense of Georgia Southern, while its 103rd-ranked pass defense will look to limit the 128th-ranked aerial attack of the Eagles.
According to overall FBS team rankings, Georgia Southern is rated higher in the ground game on both sides of the ball. Its sixth-ranked rushing attack will face the 126th-ranked run defense of Idaho, while its 83rd-ranked run defense will look to contain the 109th-ranked rushing game of the Vandals.
