By: Kenneth Harrison Jr.

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

As an Atlanta native I’m still getting used to Georgia State having a football program.

The Panthers began playing football in 2010. By comparison Georgia and Georgia Tech’s inaugural season was 1892. Georgia Southern started playing in 1924. So, it’s an understatement to say GA State lacks in tradition.

The Panthers moved from FCS (formerly 1-AA) to the FBS division in 2013. Head coach Trent Miles led them as they made that transition. They had success in 2015, winning six games and going to their first bowl game, the AutoNation Cure Bowl. In 2016 they were 3-9 and Miles was fired.

Shawn Elliott was named the head coach on December 8, 2016. Elliott most recently coached at South Carolina under Steve Spurrier, joining the staff in 2010. He was the teams running game coordinator and was later named co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. He took over as interim head coach on October 13,2015.

The Panthers bring back seven starters from a defense that ranked fifth nationally against the pass. On offense, improving the running game is the top priority. They haven’t averaged 100 yards per game on the ground since 2013.

Elliott and offensive coordinator Travis Trickett want to run a quick tempo, no huddle offense. One good thing is the running game should be easy to improve because I can’t imagine it being any worse.

Last year they only averaged 88 yards rushing each game. Running back Kyler Neal is pretty good; they just need to give him more carries. The offensive line also needs to improve because they couldn’t open many holes last year.

Senior quarterback Conner Manning will lead the offense. He was solid in 2016, passing for 2,684 yards, 16 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He completed 55.5% of his passes. It was his first year as a starter so I look for those numbers to improve now that he has experience.

Wide receiver Penny Hart missed most of 2016 with a season-ending foot injury, taking a medical redshirt year. In 2015 he was Sun Belt Freshman of the year and was first team All-Sun Belt Conference. He had 71 receptions for 1,099 yards. Glenn Smith, Jawan Nobles and Todd Boyd are also good receivers on the team.

The defense only gave up 381 yards per game. They struggled to stop the run allowing an average of 207 rushing yards each game. Nate Fuqua is the new defensive coordinator and he’s planning on changing that.

He’s stressed the idea of getting stronger and tougher. The front seven should be more physical. Corner backs Chandon Sullivan and Jerome Smith should be one of the best groups in the Sun Belt Conference.

Previously the Panthers played their home games at the Georgia Dome. They have converted Turner Field into Georgia State Stadium. They begin the season there Thursday August 31 against FCS opponent Tennessee State. This will be an easy win.

The second game is on the road against Penn State. That’s going to be a blowout loss. The other nonconference games are against Charlotte and Memphis.

Conference play begins October 7 at Coastal Carolina. Georgia Southern is a rivalry game and that game is on the road November 4. Appalachian State should be the best team in the conference and they play November 25 at home. The season ends at home versus Idaho.

I believe Georgia State will win more games in 2017. I think they will win five games and have a chance to win six and go to a bowl game.