Georgia Southern 2018 Betting Preview: Eagles Have Triple-Option Identity Back

Georgia Southern 2018 Betting Preview: Eagles Have Triple-Option Identity Back article feature image
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Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports. Pictured: Shai Werts

Georgia Southern 2018 Betting Odds

  • To win the National Title: +999999
  • To win the Sun Belt: +1400
  • To win the Sun Belt East: N/A
  • Win Total: 5.5 (over -160, under +130)

All lines as of July 26. Always shop for the best line.


Georgia Southern 2018 Schedule, Betting Odds

The Action Network Projected Wins: 6.0

Bet To Watch

Georgia Southern Over 5.5 (-160)

Georgia Southern is proud of its reputation as a triple option school. This always gives opposing defensive coordinators issues in game planning and forces defenders to cover inside gaps and outside contain all at once. Head coach Tyson Summers was relieved of his duties after an 0-6 start last season; he had moved away from the triple option. That allowed Chad Lunsford to don the interim tag and get back to it. He's now the full-time head coach.


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Lunsford turned the Eagles around for 52-0 beat down of South Alabama and 34-24 win over ULL. Georgia Southern was an underdog in both games and put up at least 460 yards in both games. With the hiring of Bob DeBesse as offensive coordinator, expect more triple option out of the spread package in this 'new era' of Eagles football.

The New Era is upon us.
50 Days until the premiere.#TheGSMan 🦅 pic.twitter.com/KgKdvFzsae

— #GATALifestyle (@GATALifestyle) July 13, 2018

The defense will change from 4-3 to a 3-4, which should help against conference opponents who are getting chunk yards on the ground. Last year, the Eagles defense was 124th in rushing S&P, leaving plenty of room for improvement for an experienced bunch (third overall in returning production).

A schedule that sets up well could turn into a big season and a bowl game. In early games against South Carolina State and UMass, the Eagles can work on the new triple option formation while also fleshing out the switch to a 3-4.


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The big three of the Sun Belt (Arkansas State, Appalachian State, Troy) all visit Georgia Southern. Matchups with Texas State, ULM, Coastal and Georgia State are winnable road games. South Alabama has yet to beat Georgia Southern in four meetings.

Based upon last year's improvement from an 0-6 start (plenty of yards on offense, plenty of havoc on defense), we will go Georgia Southern Over 5.5 -160, getting the Eagles back to bowl eligibility.

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About the Author
Collin is a Senior Writer for The Action Network, covering all things college football, college basketball and MLB. Wilson also contributes content on WWE, Game of Thrones, and various other topics.

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