The Georgia Southern Eagles face the App State Mountaineers in Sun Belt Conference play on Thursday night. Both teams currently hold a 1-3 record.
Appalachian State excels at defending the run, allowing only 110 rushing yards per game. In contrast, Georgia Southern’s defense struggles significantly, giving up 240 rushing yards per game. This large gap in run defense could be the key factor deciding the outcome.
Georgia Southern’s offense has shown potential, led by quarterback JC French IV. However, their defense remains a vulnerability. Appalachian State’s offense faced a setback last week, scoring just 21 points in a loss to Old Dominion after averaging 39 points per game during the previous two contests.
Appalachian State leads the overall series against Georgia Southern, though the Eagles claimed a 29-20 victory in last year’s meeting. JC French IV enters this game with 1,677 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, six interceptions, and five rushing touchdowns.
"Appalachian State is 2-1 at home this year and knows that a win here is critical."
"Georgia Southern’s JC French IV comes into this game with 1,677 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He also has five rushing touchdowns."
Summary: Appalachian State's superior run defense and home advantage position them as favorites, while Georgia Southern's offensive flashes face challenges due to their weak defense and poor road performance.