The Georgia Southern Eagles (2-4, 1-2 Sun Belt Conference) and South Alabama Jaguars (3-2, 0-2) clash in a Sun Belt battle at Hancock Whitney Stadium Thursday in Mobile, Ala. Below, we look at the Georgia Southern vs. South Alabama odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
Georgia Southern is coming off a 27-24 loss at Troy and has lost four of its last five games. Fourth-year head coach Chad Lunsford was fired partway through that stretch after the Eagles started 1-3. Interim coach Kevin Whitley is 1-1 in two games since.
Rush-first GSU (253.2 rushing yards per game) sports an overall middle-of-the-road-to-slightly-subpar offense. The Eagles struggle mightily on the other side of the ball and their 486.0 total yards allowed per game ranks 126th in FBS.
South Alabama went into a late-September bye week undefeated at 3-0. The Jaguars are 0-2 since, being outscored by a combined 4 points against Louisiana and Texas State. The second of those losses — last Saturday — came in a four-overtime game that included wild momentum swings.
USA has been solid against the run and the pass and overall ranks 24th in the nation, while yielding just 311.2 total yards per game.
Georgia Southern at South Alabama odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 2:40 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Georgia Southern +130 (bet $100 to win $130) | South Alabama -160 (bet $160 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Georgia Southern +2.5 (+105) | South Alabama -2.5 (-130)
- Over/Under (O/U): 49.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
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Georgia Southern at South Alabama odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
South Alabama 27, Georgia Southern 21
Money line
South Alabama’s 20-18 loss to Louisiana feels like a Jaguars-should-have-won game, and it’s an impressive one. Figure USA as being able to move the ball in diverse ways against Georgia Southern but PASS on the money line unless you can get the Jaguars at -150 or better.
Against the spread
The Jaguars have converted just 32.9% of their third-down conversion attempts. That ranks 110th in the nation. Look for USA to find more success against this Georgia Southern defense.
The Eagles got two late touchdowns to take last year’s meeting 24-17. GSU had a pair of short TD drives. Look for a revenge angle in this home game for the Jaguars.
The favorite is 5-2 ATS across the last seven series meetings. The home side has won four in a row ATS.
BACK THE JAGUARS -2.5 (-130).
Over/Under
The Under hit in two straight series meetings. Look for a similar score to these two games with 20-to-28 points being the winning score.
BACK THE UNDER 49.5 (-108).
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