The Southern Miss Golden Eagles (3-2, 1-0 Sun Belt) and Georgia Southern (2-3, 0-1) meet Thursday at Allen E. Paulson Stadium in Statesboro, Georgia. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (ESPN2). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NCAA football odds around the Southern Miss vs. Georgia Southern odds and make our expert college football picks and predictions for the best bets.
Southern Miss earned a 42-25 win over the Jacksonville State Gamecocks, covering as 4-point home favorites with the Over (56) cashing. The Golden Eagles were outgained 390-377 yards, but capitalized on 4 takeaways to secure the victory. RB Jeffery Pittman rushed for 80 yards and 2 TDs and QB Braylon Braxton threw 2 TD passes.
Georgia Southern stumbled in its Sun Belt opener, falling 35-10 to the James Madison Dukes as 15-point road underdogs, with the Under (54.5) cashing. The Eagles allowed JMU to rush for 331 of their 479 total yards. Eagles QB JC French IV threw for 165 yards and a TD; WR Camden Brown had 5 catches for 111 yards.
This will be the first meeting between the 2 schools.
– Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll, conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports
Southern Miss at Georgia Southern odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:24 a.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Southern Miss -160 (bet $160 to win $100) | Georgia Southern +135 (bet $100 to win $135)Against the spread (ATS): Southern Miss -3.5 (-105) | Georgia Southern +3.5 (-115)Over/Under (O/U): 59.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Southern Miss at Georgia Southern picks and predictionsPrediction
Southern Miss 38, Georgia Southern 27
PASS.
Southern Miss (-165) wins this game, but I’d rather take the odds on the moneyline.
BET SOUTHERN MISS -3.5 (-105).
Southern Miss comes in playing confident football on offense. Braxton has found his groove, throwing for 1,236 yards and 11 TDs this season and adding a little extra with his legs (169 yards, 1 TD). He’s spreading the ball around to a deep group of receivers who can stretch the field and open things up underneath. The offensive line has also done its part, giving this offense nice balance and rhythm from week to week.
On the defensive side, the Golden Eagles have a clear edge. Georgia Southern has had a tough time keeping opponents out of the end zone, giving up 37.4 points per game (PPG). Their run defense, in particular, has struggled (262.2 yards allowed per game), and that’s an area where Southern Miss can take advantage early and often. The Golden Eagles’ front 7 is active and disruptive, and that pressure has led to turnovers — something that could tilt this game quickly.
Georgia Southern has some fight, especially at home, but they’ve been inconsistent on offense and haven’t shown they can sustain long drives. Southern Miss just looks like the more complete team right now. If they stay balanced and protect the ball, I like them to handle business and cover the −3.5 spread comfortably.
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BET OVER 59.5 (-110).
This matchup has all the makings of a shootout. Southern Miss has gone Over in 3 of its last 4 games, while Georgia Southern has topped the total in 4 of 5. The Eagles average 26 PPG and allow 37.4, while Southern Miss scores 31 PPG and gives up 26.2. With both defenses struggling and efficient offenses on display, this one should feature plenty of fireworks.
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