Georgia Southern football has real upset opportunity vs. Coastal Carolina

Georgia Southern football has a chance to pull upset and get ahead in Sun Belt race on Saturday vs. Coastal Carolina.

Georgia Southern football has a chance to take down another ranked Sun Belt foe when they travel to take on Coastal Carolina, who has been the darling of the Sun Belt and among the media so far this season.

The Eagles have been in this position before facing a ranked Sun Belt team when they are unranked and usually the Eagles find a way to when these games (just ask App State).

Coastal Carolina got the nations attention when they put a beatdown on Kansas during the first weekend of the season and last week they pulled an upset over previously ranked Louisiana, who was the favorite in the Sun Belt heading into that game. The Chanticleers are powered by their offense, which features one of the top quarterback in the country in Grayson McCall.

The Eagles are fresh off putting a beatdown on UMass and will be ready for this game. Georgia Southern is well known for their option attack and they have some dynamic players on that side of the ball. It starts with quarterback Shai Werts and running back Wesley Kennedy, they are an effective duo at making big plays happen.

The Sun Belt has gotten a lot of attention so far this season with the big wins by Arkansas State and Louisiana to open the season. Coastal and Georgia Southern are looking to gain that type of respect and the winner of this game will take the lead in the Sun Belt East division. Expect a shootout in this game and this will be the most entertaining game to watch in the early window on Saturday.

Here is how you can watch Georgia Southern vs. Coastal Carolina on Saturday:

Date: Saturday, Oct. 24
Time: 12 p.m. ET
Location: Conway, S.C.
Venue: Brooks Stadium
TV: ESPNU
Live Stream: WatchESPN

Keys to Victory

For the Georgia Southern offense, it is all about the running game. Coastal Carolina has one of the worst defenses in the country and the Eagles should have some success running the ball. the three headed monster of Werts, Wesley Kennedy III and J.D King need to have big days for the Eagles on offense if they hope to pull the upset.

For the Georgia Southern defense, they must prevent big plays through the air. They lost some guys in the secondary and Coastal’s offense can sling the ball around. The Eagles strength on defense is in their front seven and they must pressure McCall on Saturday.

For the Chanticleers on offense, testing this unproven secondary of Georgia Southern’s will be the key. Coastal is explosive on offense and can hit the big plays through the air and they will have opportunities on Saturday and they must capitalize.

For the Coastal defense, turnovers are going to be a must. The way to beat teams that run the option is to force turnovers and get them behind the scoreboard early and make them play catchup. If they can force the Eagles into some turnovers, the Chanticleers can expect a victory on Saturday.

Betting Odds

Odds provided courtesy of The Action Network

Point Spread: Coastal Carolina -5.5
Over/Under: 51

Prediction

Coastal Carolina has been getting a lot of love in the media this week, but they need to be on upset alert heading into this game. Georgia Southern can slow this game down with its offense and front-seven can put pressure on this potent offense of Coastal Carolina. I think Werts has a big day and the Eagles force some turnovers on defense and pull the upset and end the undefeated season for the Chanticleers.

Final Score: Georgia Southern 28, Coastal Carolina 24