Week 14 Preview: Georgia Southern at Marshall

Georgia Southern will travel to Huntington, West Virginia this weekend to face off against Marshall in the regular season finale. This game is vastly important for both squads as each team enters the game at 5-6, meaning a win gets you bowl eligible while a loss ends a disappointing season. Georgia Southern is coming off a 45-10 loss last weekend against Old Dominion while Marshall also comes in with a loss after their loss to App State 26-24 last weekend.

Marshall currently is an eight and a half point favorite for this weekends matchup. This will only be the tenth matchup between the two programs. The Thundering Herd lead the series six to three while Georgia Southern won the last matchup 24-23 in Statesboro.

Georgia Southern

Georgia Southern’s season has obviously been extremely disappointing, as many people thought they would compete for an SBC East division title. A large part of their problems this season have been on the defensive side of the ball, where the Eagles are giving up 35.55 points per game.

The last three games have seen the Eagles give up 113 combined points to Marshall, Old Dominion, and Coastal Carolina. They also haven’t allowed less than 20 points in a game since they beat FCS Maine back in September.

The offensive side of the ball has been much better, but there have been some inconsistencies starting at quarterback, JC French. OJ Arnold, who has 885 rushing yards with five touchdowns, and Camden Brown, who has 892 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, have been the bright spots of the offense. Camden Brown has been one of the best receivers in the nation. He has a chance at securing a 1,000 yard season this weekend.

Last weekend the Eagles were never able to get their top receiver going. Marcus Sanders Jr. led the team in receiving yards. Sanders and Dalen Cobb, however, have also been very solid receivers this season. The Eagles have a solid wide receiver trio. Unfortunately, for the Eagles, the run game that was virtually non existent last weekend looks to be in a tough spot again, as OJ Arnold is currently listed as doubtful for the game.

Marshall

Marshall has been a team that you could argue has played better than expectations this fall. This team was put in a brutal spot to start the offseason after losing Charles Huff to Southern Miss, along with important roster pieces leaving. All this after winning the Sun Belt title just months earlier. Tony Gibson has done a solid job though, as they have a chance for bowl eligibility with a win.

Marshall, like Georgia Southern, has been liable to give up some points this season. However, over the last two weeks, the Herd has seen solid outings from the defense. Marshall’s linebacker play has been the heart of that defensive play with Kerion Martin, Javae Gilmore, and Jibreel Al-Amin all having successful seasons at the position. Paul Hutson III has also been a force up front on the defensive line with three and a half sacks. Georgia Southern’s passing game will also have to go up against a secondary that poses threats to the air attack.

Offensively Marshall has relied on quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson to be a dual threat option. He has 1,907 passing yards and 17 touchdowns through the air along with another 655 rushing yards and six touchdowns, which leads the team. Georgia Southern has struggled with dual threat quarterbacks this season, as Alonza Barnett III and Colton Joseph both picked apart the Eagles defense. Demarcus Lacey has been the Herd’s best receiver this season and has only gotten hotter in recent weeks.

This game is vastly important for both teams and for momentum going into the bowl season. Georgia Southern and Marshall would both love an opportunity to compete for a bowl game and possibly, seven wins on the year.

Kickoff: 1:30 EST Saturday, November 29th

TV: ESPN+

Radio: Georgia Southern Sports Network or The Varsity Sports Network

Tickets: Tickets can be found here.