No depth charts this week, ran out of time. Here is the quick run down on this week’s slate as well as our against the spread picks.
All times CT
How to watch
Saturday
Appalachian State at Georgia State
Time: 1:00
TV: ESPN+
Spread: App -10
Location: Atlanta, GA
The Panthers came oh so close to winning their first ever game against App State last season but remain 0-7 heading into this week. Last year’s 17-13 result was the very first time this game was even a single-digit contest.
This may be a surprisingly low-scoring game due to Georgia State’s lack of offensive production and App State’s third down woes on offense (33.3%) and strength on defense (32.2%). The skill edge goes to the Mountaineers, though, who could rolling out of the A with a still-spotless record against GSU.
ULM at No. 16 Coastal Carolina
Time: 1:30
TV: ESPN+
Spread: CCU -34.5
Location: Conway, SC
One team has yet to win a conference game while the other has a perfect record in league play. The 1-0 Warhawks are travelling across the footprint to face the winless Chanticleers in an effort to continue their stunning two-game win streak.
ULM will be without starting quarterback Rhett Rodriguez who suffered a partially collapsed lung against Troy last week. Coastal has one of the most efficient offenses in the country so far. The Chants are first nationally in third down attempts among teams who have played four games with 33. They’re also first at converting those attempts at 60.6 percent.
Troy at South Carolina
Time: 2:30
TV: SECN
Spread: SC -7
Location: Columbia, SC
Troy is coming off its most embarrassing loss in at least six years, is travelling to face an SEC team on the road and… is a single-digit underdog. That says a lot about South Carolina.
The Trojans have been an incredibly frustrating team so far. They are first in scoring defense, total defense and obliterating the rest of the Sun Belt in TFLs with 38 total. The next closest has 26. The frustrating part? Troy is averaging just 16.7 points per FBS game.
Arkansas State at Georgia Southern
Time: 3:00
TV: ESPN+
Spread: GS -1.5
Location: Statesboro, GA
Georgia Southern is now led by interim head coach Kevin Whitley following Chad Lunsford’s firing on Sunday. It hosts a historically bad defense when the Red Wolves roll into town, creating a potentially classic #FunBelt havoc battle.
The last two games have been decided by single digits and the teams split those wins. Arkansas State has the far-and-away best pass attack in the conference. The Eagles are eighth in pass defense. Georgia Southern is averaging over 230 rushing yards a game. The Red Wolves have the far-and-away worst run defense. Ohhhhh yes.
Louisiana at South Alabama
Time: 7:00
TV: ESPN+
Spread: UL -12.5
Location: Mobile, AL
The Jaguars put their spotless 3-0 record on the line this week when they host West Division favorite Louisiana in the Sun Belt Saturday nightcap. The Ragin’ Cajuns just announced a slew of injuries, including starting kicker Nate Almendares and starting offensive lineman Carlose Rubio being out for the season.
Of the 26 undefeated teams left in the country, South Alabama is 25th in scoring at 27 points per game. The Jags do boast what has been an incredibly stout rush defense having given up just 1.75 yards per carry. That will be put to the test against Louisiana, though the Cajuns have not been consistent in their ground game. Upset alert?
Picks
Podcast
Join us for a loaded weekly podcast featuring special guest Chase Gage.