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georgia state vs coastal carolina-odds-picks-predictions-ncaaf-betting preview-thursday sept 21

Georgia State vs Coastal Carolina Odds, Prediction: Expect Thursday Night Fireworks

Georgia State vs Coastal Carolina Odds

[gamematchup league=”ncaaf” awaylogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/ncaaf/100/gst.png” awayname=”Georgia State” awayslug=”georgia-state-panthers” homelogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/ncaaf/100/cc.png” homename=”Coastal Carolina” homeslug=”coastal-carolina-chanticleers” date=”Thursday, September 21″ time=”7:30 p.m. ET” network=”ESPN” col1text=”Spread” col2text=”Total” col3text=”Moneyline” col1awaytext=”+5.5″ col1awayline=”-110″ col1hometext=”-5.5″ col1homeline=”-110″ col2awaytext=”62.5″ col2hometext=”62.5″ col2awayline=”-115o / -105u” col2homeline=”-115o / -105u” col3awaytext=”+185″ col3hometext=”-225″ col3awayline=”” col3homeLine=”” bookname=”BetMGM” bookthumbnaillogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/902516_MGM2.png” bookreviewslug=”betmgm”][/gamematchup]

Dual-threat quarterback Darren Grainger leads the Georgia State Panthers on the road for an action-packed showdown with Coastal Carolina.

The Chanticleers are armed with Grayson McCall and arguably the best set of skill position talent in the Group of Five.

So, where does the betting value lie in this Thursday night showdown? Let’s dive into the odds and find a pick for Georgia State vs. Coastal Carolina in this NCAAF betting preview for Thursday, Sept. 21.

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[subheader sizedown=”false” center=”false” text=”Georgia State Panthers” subtext=”” logo1url=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/ncaaf/100/gst.png” link1=”https://www.actionnetwork.com/ncaaf/odds/georgia-state-panthers” link1follow=”false”][/subheader]

After a disappointing 2022, the Panthers have started this season 3-0 and are enjoying a hot start — well, at least on one side of the ball.

Georgia State’s ground-based offense ranks 54th in SP+, which is good for a Group of Five outfit. However, the defense ranks 113th, which is bad for any kind of program.

Head coach Shawn Elliott has coordinated dominant ground games throughout his career, and this year’s squad is no different. Grainger is a star and has long been one of the best running quarterbacks in the G5, but he’s also taken a step forward with his passing this season.

The rush game isn’t particularly efficient, but the Panthers hammer teams with home runs on the ground. They rank just 118th in Success Rate on the ground but are fifth in explosives. They prod and prod until they create a big play.

Sometimes it’s Grainger, but often it’s Marcus Carroll, the team’s lead back. Carroll ranks fourth in FBS with 358 rushing yards and has already compiled 217 yards after contact, according to PFF charting.

The passing game is advancing with Grainger, who is having the best stretch of passing productivity of his career. Last week, he threw for a career-high 446 yards against Charlotte, and his 78.3 QBR and 6:0 touchdown-to-interception ratio is also impressive for a player known for his running.

Grainger could be in line for another big day, as the Panthers are in the top third of FBS in explosive pass plays (35th), while Coastal’s secondary ranks 111th in preventing such plays.

The Panthers defense has struggled. They came into this season decimated by graduation and transfers and ranked 129th in defensive TARP. The new lineup has struggled and ranks 130th in explosives allowed.

Coastal’s offense will by far be their stiffest test yet.

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[subheader sizedown=”false” center=”false” text=”Coastal Carolina Chanticleers” subtext=”” logo1url=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/ncaaf/100/cc.png” link1=”https://www.actionnetwork.com/ncaaf/odds/coastal-carolina-chanticleers” link1follow=”false”][/subheader]

McCall has seemingly been a Chanticleer forever. His storied career — he has a shot at a fourth straight Sun Belt Player of the Year Award — rolls on as he leads a deep and versatile offense in search of another division crown.

His stats don’t jump off the page (4 TDs, 2 INTs, 66.3 QBR), but the high-level play is still there. His counting stats are wonky because of a tough road game at UCLA where he played well but his team was overmatched, and a blowout win over FCS Duquesne in which he played just 36 snaps.

But make no mistake, this is still the Sun Belt legend piloting this offense.

Like the Georgia State offense, efficiency is not the name of the game in Conway. Tim Beck’s squad ranks just 87th in Success Rate, but Coastal Carolina can score from all over the field, ranking 16th nationally in explosives. Conversely, Georgia State’s defense ranks 130th in explosives allowed.

McCall is flanked with talented weapons. The running back room is deep, and veterans Reese White, Braydon Bennett and CJ Beasley will all get carries. The wide receiver duo of Georgia State transfer Sam Pinckney and Jared Brown is one of the best one-two punches at this level.

Coastal’s defense has improved from last year’s disaster, moving from 108th in defensive SP+ to 76th. But make no mistake, this is still an offense-first team.

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Toggle the dropdowns below to hide or show how Georgia State and Coastal Carolina match up statistically:

Georgia State Offense vs. Coastal Carolina Defense
Offense
Defense
Edge
Rush Success 116 101
Line Yards 97 88
Pass Success 28 33
Havoc 52 33
Finishing Drives 43 9
Quality Drives 71 54
Coastal Carolina Offense vs. Georgia State Defense
Offense
Defense
Edge
Rush Success 105 25
Line Yards 119 12
Pass Success 67 114
Havoc 88 44
Finishing Drives 71 80
Quality Drives 11 50
Pace of Play / Other
PFF Tackling 111 7
PFF Coverage 121 18
Special Teams SP+ 100 32
Middle 8 122 26
Seconds per Play 24.7 (27) 28.2 (86)
Rush Rate 60.7% (18) 55.3% (74)
Data via CollegeFootballData.com, SP+, Pro Football Focus and SportSource Analytics.

[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Georgia State vs Coastal Carolina” subtext=”Betting Pick & Prediction” center=”false” logo1url=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/252389_action-logo-check.png”][/subheader]

In 2022, these teams combined for 65 points. In 2021, they both scored in the 40s en route to an 82-point affair.

I can’t get the images of all those big plays out of my head. Both offenses are big play merchants, and both defenses are susceptible to big plays.

Georgia State likes to play fast, and Coastal will be itching to play a peer program after punching way up and then way down.

I can’t wait to watch these teams throw haymakers all night, and I’ll certainly enjoy it when they go over the total of 62.

[quickslip picktext=”Pick: Over 62 (Play to 63)” linktext=”Bet the Over Instantly With FanDuel QuickSlip” link=”https://switchboard.actionnetwork.com/v1/deeplink?marketId=42.396566397&selectionId=7017916&context=qs-articles” linkfollow=”false” bookthumbnaillogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/392973_FanDuel.png”][/quickslip]

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