Auburn has the superior talent across the board and should be able to coast to the victory in this matchup. The Tigers were ranked as high as No. 8 in the country a season ago before falling off and believe they can be College Football Playoff contenders. Much will depend on how Stidham steps in under center and if the team’s running game can be as successful as many believe.
Georgia Southern has no chance of winning this game but the spread is large and a cover is possible if the Eagles can avoid turnovers.
Watch this regular season Week 1 matchup live on Saturday, September 2, 2017, at 7:30 p.m. ET at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
NCAA Football Opening Odds at BookMaker.eu
Georgia Southern +34
Auburn -34
Over/Under 59
Odds Analysis
The spread seems dead on as half of the early money has gone on each team. The scoring total may have been placed a tad low as nearly 89 percent of the action has hit the “over” thus far as bettors are envisioning regular trips to the end zone.
Key Stat
7. That’s the number of starters are returning, total, for Georgia Southern, which means this could be a slow start because of all the inexperience. The offense will look a lot different as quarterbacks Kevin Ellison and Favian Upshaw have moved on, as has running back Matt Breida.
Ellison was the team’s leading rusher a season ago while Breida was second, but their numbers weren’t great so changing out players at the position may not be a bad thing in the long run. The question is if there will be any youthful mistakes in this one against an excellent Auburn defense.
Star safety Ironhead Gallon is currently trying to make an NFL roster with the Arizona Cardinals. He led the team in tackles last season with 102 while adding six pass deflections, six tackles for loss and a forced fumble.
Even without Gallon, Georgia Southern seems like it will be the strongest in the secondary. That could help in conference play, but Auburn will still be able to throw in this one and it shouldn’t have any problems churning out yardage on the ground.
Player To Watch
Kamryn Pettway -- Auburn’s leading rusher also led the SEC last season in yards with 1,224 on 209 carries. The junior did this despite missing three games due to injury and going without a single carry in a fourth contest.
Pettway will be another huge weapon this season out of the backfield but could also become a more versatile weapon under new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey. There has been talk of using the six-foot, 225-pound back as a receiver more this year as well in an offense that should feature more passing in 2017.
Even if his role expands, Pettway will remain the go-to ball carrier again this season, along with Kerryon Johnson. Johnson had 895 rushing yards on 182 carries and 11 touchdowns last season for the Tigers. That duo is mighty dangerous and it will be nearly impossible for the Eagles to slow them down.
Free ATS Pick
Auburn has some really good players returning and should be among the better teams in the country. The Tigers should roll out to a big lead early and cruise to the win. Even though the spread is pretty high, Auburn is going to play really impressively in this contest and cover without a problem.
The “over” is also the right call as the Tigers are going to surprise with their offensive explosion against Georgia Southern.
College Football Odds: Auburn 51, Georgia Southern 13
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