We’re all the way in which again. Following a incredible Week 0 appetizer, let’s kick issues into gear this Thursday night with an FCS-FBS conflict between the Rhode Island Rams and the Georgia State Panthers.
Chances are you’ll not assume these groups have a lot in widespread, however belief me, they do.
As at all times, there’s worth hiding someplace in a singular matchup like this, so let’s dig into guess Rhode Island vs Georgia State.
Rhode Island enters the 2023-24 season ranked twenty third within the FCS preseason ballot. The Rams are coming off an honest 7-4 season by which they averaged 30.6 PPG.
Quarterback Kasim Hill might be coming into his seventh season of school soccer and can as soon as once more be handed the keys to this Rams offense for the third consecutive season.
Fortunately for him, the Rams have 4 of their 5 offensive line starters returning, alongside two of their high 4 cross catchers. Not solely that, however the Rams additionally added two FBS O-line transfers from the portal in Chattanooga’s Brock Bethea and Boston School’s Kevin Pyne.
The passing sport shouldn’t skip a beat, however the Rams did lose a 1000-yard rusher in Marques Deshields.
As for the protection, effectively, that is an space of concern. The Rams allowed 26.6 PPG final season, and so they misplaced a ton of expertise on this facet of the ball. Out of the highest 11 tacklers on the crew, solely 4 return. Even worse, just one participant out of these high 5 tacklers returns.
The Rams did recoup some losses within the switch portal, notably beefing up their defensive position with FAU’s Kareem Wilson and Virginia Tech’s Desmond Mamudi. Sadly for Rhode Island, these two gamers will not be sufficient to assist a unit that was already ranked 53rd general within the FCS.
It is a large trigger for concern heading into the season, particularly in a matchup like this in opposition to an FBS offense identified for explosiveness. The protection might want to drive a couple of turnovers to be able to have a shot at pulling a giant upset right here on the highway.
Nevertheless, I do assume the Rams offense can have success right here even in opposition to an FBS defensive unit. They’ve sufficient expertise returning on offense, and you will see why I believe there’s potential for lots of factors on this sport once I break down the Panthers.
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Ugh, this actually stings, however I had a lot religion on this Panthers crew final season. The expertise on the roster did not correlate with their 4-8 document, and so they even led late within the fourth quarter in opposition to North Carolina.
Coming off a vastly disappointing 2022 season, the Panthers will look to rebound in 2023.
The offensive numbers had been astonishing, as Georgia State completed outdoors the highest 100 in Normal Downs Success Fee, Havoc Allowed and beginning discipline place. The lone vivid spot was its explosiveness by which it completed nineteenth. Hold this in thoughts when watching this matchup.
The bread and butter of this offense will at all times be its operating sport, so on this matchup in opposition to an FCS protection, I anticipate a number of explosive runs.
Quarterback Darren Grainger will look to proper the ship for the Panthers. He had a terrific statistical season final 12 months, and notably led the crew in dashing regardless of having Tucker Gregg within the backfield.
The Panthers misplaced receiver Jamari Thrash to Louisville, and since Gregg is out of the image, much more weight is added to Grainger’s shoulders.
I do assume this offense might be improved regardless of the losses. The offensive line was a giant situation final season, however they added two transfers to construct up some depth. Tailback Marcus Carroll noticed restricted motion final season however was efficient when he was on the sphere.
This Panthers’ protection unit will make or break them this season. That they had their points final 12 months, however after including a couple of transfers to bolster their defensive entrance, I imagine they are often a lot improved. This unit completed within the backside of the barrel in most defensive classes, however they did trigger an honest quantity of Havoc.
I do not imagine the Panthers could have any points successful this sport, however one thing to observe transferring ahead is seeing how these transfers form up this whole defensive unit.
Rhode Island vs. Georgia State
Betting Decide & Prediction
Though I do assume the Panthers will be improved defensively, it is a great place to take an over. Each of those groups have confirmed commodities on offense, and I believe the Rams’ passing assault can discover some success in opposition to a weak Panthers secondary.
I discussed the Panthers’ explosiveness earlier, and this may play an element on this matchup. I believe Grainger and Carroll can break some large runs, which can result in some fast scores.
I do know it is scary taking an over after we simply noticed a ton of video games go below in Week 0, however the outlook of this sport appears to suit a script of factors being poured on the scoreboard.
I do assume the Panthers’ Havoc can result in a number of possessions with nice discipline possession. As a substitute of swallowing a giant quantity, I’ve way more religion in each of those offenses to have success on this Thursday night conflict.
Decide: Over 58.5 (Play to 60.5)
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