The South Alabama Jaguars (+14) are set to pay a visit to their SBC counterpart Georgia Southern Eagles (-14) at Allen E. Paulson Stadium. Kickoff for this matchup is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET and ESPN 3 will broadcast the action.
South Alabama Jaguars vs. Georgia Southern Eagles Betting Preview
In this Saturday Sun Belt game, Georgia Southern is getting picked as the heavy favorite and the team’s currently giving up 14 points. The Jaguars are also receiving +500 moneyline odds while the Eagles are -735. Some solid live betting opportunities could be unveiled during the game, and Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 52.5 points.
The game’s total has been driven much lower after initially being set at 54.5. The opening line (-14) has remained firm.
The Jaguars have gained 0.0 units so far and are 2-2-1 against the spread (ATS). The team has posted an Over-Under record of 5-0. The Eagles have gained 2.4 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 4-0 ATS and have an O/U record of 0-3.
The Jaguars are 1-4 straight up (SU), including 1-1 SU against conference opponents. The Eagles are 3-1 SU overall and 1-0 SU in conference play.
The Jags are most-recently on the rebound after a 52-7 loss to Appalachian State last week. Evan Orth completed 20 passes for 225 yards and one interception. Tra Minter (44 rushing yards on nine attempts) provided the ground attack in the loss while Jamarius Way (seven receptions, 63 yards) and Baker (four catches, 89 yards) handled the receiving duties.
Georgia Southern just earned a 28-21 win over Arkansas State. The defensive unit allowed the Red Wolves to pass for 376 yards while rushing for 117 yards. Kirk Merritt had a productive outing in the defeat for Arkansas State, recording 92 yards on 11 catches. As a group, the Eagles collectively completed one-of-three passes for 61 yards and one touchdown. Shai Werts went one-for-three for 61 yards and one touchdown while D.J. Butler was -of- for yards. Werts (113 rushing yards on 22 attempts, one TD) and Wesley Fields (98 yards on 10 carries) handled the ground game in the win as Fields (one receptions, 61 yards, one TD) led the pass-catching corps.
South Alabama has run the ball on 53.5 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Georgia Southern has an overall rush percentage of 87.9 percent. The Jaguars have run for 120 yards/game (including 100 per game against Sun Belt opponents) and have nine touchdowns via handoffs this year. The Eagles are logging 270 rushing yards per game and have 11 total rush TDs.
If 2018 results can translate to this game, then it’s looking like the Eagles should own an advantage when it comes to efficiency in the ground game. Their running backs has logged 5.3 yards per carry while the defense is allowing a YPC of 4.4 to opponents. The Jaguars have tallied 3.4 yards per carry while allowing a YPC of 5.0 to opponents.
The Jags offensive scheme has averaged 216 yards through the air overall (246 per game versus conference opposition) and has seven passing TDs so far. The Eagles have put up 76 pass yards per outing and have three total pass scores.
Defensively, South Alabama has allowed 234 rush yards and 267 pass yards per game. The Georgia Southern defense has allowed 227.3 yards per game to opposing passers and 163.3 yards per game on the ground. The Eagles are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.25 to opposing QBs, while the Jaguars have given up a 6.51 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Orth has amassed 654 yards on the year, and has connected on 64 percent of his 97 attempts with three scores through the air and two interceptions. He’s got a 6.10 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 8.63 over the last two games.
On the other sideline, Shai Werts has completed 12-of-19 passes for 244 yards, three TDs and zero INTs. Werts’ ANY/A sits at 14.95 for the year and 4.06 across his last two games.
When these two schools faced each other a year ago, Georgia Southern won easily 52-0.
RELATED: Week 6 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
Free Prediction: South Alabama Jaguars vs. Georgia Southern Eagles
SU Winner – South Alabama, ATS Winner – South Alabama, O/U – Over
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Team Betting Trends
The Georgia Southern offense has lost two fumbles this season while South Alabama has let seven get away.
The South Alabama D has 11 sacks on the year while Georgia Southern has 10.
South Alabama has produced 3.12244897959184 yards per carry over its past three games and 2.7 over its last two.
Georgia Southern has averaged 5.0 yards per carry over its last three contests and 4.7 over its past two.
Over its last three contests, Georgia Southern is 3-0 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
South Alabama was favored by 26 points in its last game and the O/U was 56. The over cashed and South Alabama failed to cover in the 52-7 loss to Appalachian State.
Over its last three contests, South Alabama is 1-1-1 ATS and the over cashed in each of those three.
Georgia Southern was the underdog by 3 points in its last outing and the O/U was set at 53. The under cashed and Georgia Southern covered in that 28-21 victory over Arkansas State.
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