CSJ’s 2018 Week 1 Game Preview: Kennesaw State at Georgia State
Kennesaw State at Georgia State
When: Thursday, August 30, 7:00 PM EDT
Where: Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA
TV/Streaming Coverage: ESPN+ (subscription req’d)
Kennesaw Sate: CSJ’s 2018 Preview Capsule
The Owls are only three years old as a program, but in that time head coach Brian Bohannon has built a team built for deep runs in the FCS Playoffs. Today they take another step in their evolution as they take on Georgia State in the nearby Georgia Dome.
Key Player:Kennesaw State’s success last season came in part thanks to the emergence of QB Chandler Burks, who exploded in 2017. The Douglasville, Georgia native ran for 18 TDs while passing for 9 more, amassing 1,103 yards on the ground and 1,307 more through the air. Even more important was his ball protection, limiting himself to 4 interceptions on the season.
Daily Fantasy Bonus Baby: Burks seems like a solid choice for daily fantasy because he doesn’t turn over the ball much and will get a decent number of yards on the ground. If he runs one of those in for a touchdown or two, all to the better.
Georgia State: CSJ’s 2018 Preview Capsule
The Panthers, once a laughingstock, have quietly emerged as a decent G5 program after a solid 7-5 season last year with their first bowl victory. But much of that success was built on a senior class that now has graduated. In that sense, Kennesaw State will be an excellent test for the Panthers to show that their success last year was not only a one-off event.
Key Player: QB Dan Ellington, a transfer from Itawamba CC, was recently anointed the starting quarterback, and he’ll need to get up to speed in a hurry. If he sees this game as a cakewalk, he could get in trouble.
Daily Fantasy Bonus Baby: There is a high likelihood that WR Penny Hart will be a huge part of the passing gameplan for the Panthers. He will certainly be Ellington’s first choice in the passing game as they establish a gameday rapport.
Fearless Prediction: This is one of those games where you have to throw out the labels “FCS” and “FBS”. Kennesaw State established itself as a true FCS powerhouse last season, and Georgia State, while developing into a solid program, needs to establish quite a bit in this season opener. The stage won’t be too big for the Owls as they upset the Panthers here behind a solid defensive effort. Kennesaw State 28, Georgia State 21
Chuck has been writing about Lehigh football since the dawn of the internet, or perhaps it only seems like it. He’s executive editor of the College Sports Journal and has also written a book, The Rivalry: How Two Schools Started the Most Played College Football Series.
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