The Georgia State Panthers have improved steadily over the past three years, improving from one win its first two years of college football to bowl eligibility in 2015. Georgia State has a promising young core on defense and a solid coach. The Panthers will look to begin this season on a high note by knocking off the Ball State Cardinals in Week 1 of the college football season. Ball State went 3-9 last season and while there is room for optimism, a bowl game could be tough to grasp. Georgia State was given a measure of respect as it is the favored team in this matchup.
This contest in Week 1 of the regular season will go down Friday, September 2nd, 2016, at 7 p.m. ET at Georgia.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Ball State +3
Georgia State -3
Over/Under 53
Odds Analysis
Georgia State is the common choice among gamblers as nearly 80 percent are choosing the Panthers to win this win. The team has been on an upward trajectory and not only do the oddsmakers believe it can win this game, but the betting action backs it up. The over/under seems to be placed correctly as bettors are evenly split on the scoring total.
Last Meeting
Georgia State defeated Ball State 31-19 the last time these two teams met last October. Quarterback Nick Arbuckle had a huge game, completing 28-of-38 passes for 412 yards and a touchdown. The Georgia State running game was virtually nonexistent throughout the contest but it didn’t matter as the passing game was so on point.
Ball State jumped out to a 10-7 lead in the contest but the Panthers reeled off 17 consecutive points to take control. The Cardinals pulled to within 24-19 early in the fourth quarter but couldn’t get over the hump.
Jordan Williams led Ball State in that game with seven catches for 68 yards and a score.
Player to Watch
Ball State sophomore quarterback Riley Neal is a key player to watch in this matchup. Neal completed 228-of-391 passes last season for 2,272 yards with 16 touchdowns and six interceptions last season as a freshman. He was also the third leading rusher with nearly 400 yards on the ground.
Neal showed a lot of promise over his freshman season by completing 58 percent of his passes. He’s now another year older and more experienced and, with such a young offense around him, will need to show improvement this year. At 6-foot-5, he has the size and frame to progress and really become a top-tier quarterback.
Free ATS Pick
When Georgia State won only one games in its first two years of existence in 2013 and 2014, it seemed unlikely for the program to be a three-point favorite against a decent opponent. However, last year’s strong run has raised expectations.
The Panthers won four consecutive games to end the regular season and clinch a bowl berth, and with a solid defense there is reason to believe another six-win-or-more season can be in the cards. Georgia State is a team on the rise, and it is the one to ride in this showdown.
While Ball State has been around longer, it struggled last year and lost a matchup against the Panthers. This one could be a little bit closer, but Georgia State is the pick to not only win the game outright but cover the spread as three-point favorites in NCAA football odds at BookMaker.eu.
College Football Odds: Georgia State 28, Ball State 21
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