Georgia State vs Coastal Carolina Football Odds, Prediction & Picks: Should You Consider Two Trends for Thursday’s Fun Belt Battle?

Entering Week 4 of the college football season, Georgia State is one of 39 undefeated teams in the FBS, with Sun Belt mates James Madison and Marshall also among that group. But preserving that perfect record for another week will not be an easy feat, as they will kick off this week’s college football slate with a Thursday night visit to Coastal Carolina (7:30 pm ET, E

The Panthers have opened the season with wins over Rhode Island, UConn, and Charlotte, led by a hot start by veteran QB Darren Grainger.

However, things are about to get tougher. In their first four games in Sun Belt play, they must face Coastal Carolina (away), Troy (home), Marshall (home), and Louisiana (away).

So, we are about to find out what Shawn Elliott’s squad is really made of.

Can they start this strenuous stretch with a road win over Coastal Carolina (2-1)? Grayson McCall and the Chanticleers are favored by a healthy margin, but head-to-head history favors the Panthers.

Georgia State vs Coastal Carolina Odds

Odds are via Bovada as of Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at 7:30 am ET.

Spread

• Georgia State +6.5 (-105)
• Coastal Carolina -6.5 (-115)

Over/Under

• Over 62.5 (-115)
• Under 62.5 (-105)

Moneyline

• Georgia Southern +210
• Coastal Carolina -250

Will the Road Team Continue to Own This Matchup?

Since Coastal Carolina made the step up to the FBS and joined the Sun Belt in 2017, the Chanticleers and Panthers have met each season.

In those six meetings, the home team has yet to win.

Georgia State vs Coastal Carolina Head-to-Head Results

• 2017 (at CCU): Georgia State 27-21 Coastal Carolina
• 2018 (at GSU): Coastal Carolina 37-34 Georgia State
• 2019 (at CCU): Georgia State 31-21 Coastal Carolina
• 2020 (at GSU): Coastal Carolina 51-0 Georgia State
• 2021 (at CCU): Georgia State 42-40 Coastal Carolina
• 2022 (at GSU): Coastal Carolina 41-24 Georgia State

Two years ago, the 4-5 Panthers went into Conway, South Carolina and upset the 8-1 Chanticleers 42-40. Grainger, a Conway native, had a happy homecoming, going 18 for 24 for 198 yards and two touchdowns.

After a couple of solid seasons for Georgia State, it looks like Grainger has saved his best for his final collegiate campaign.

Through three games, he has completed 73.4% of his passes for 803 yards and six touchdowns (with no interceptions) and run for 216 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 6.4 yards per rush.

At Charlotte this past Saturday, the senior was 27 for 33 for a career-high 466 yards and three touchdowns, and he added his second rushing touchdown of the season in the 41-25 win.

Through three games, the Panthers are averaging 39.3 points per game and 462 yards per game, after averaging 30.0 PPG and 417.1 YPG last year.

Coastal Carolina counters offensively with their own experienced quarterback in Grayson McCall, who had a shaky start in the season opener at UCLA but was more his usual self against Jacksonville State and Duquesne.

Could the Ground Game Guide Georgia State to Victory?

One area that could very well tip the scales in Georgia State’s favor is the ground game.

While the Chanticleers had more rushing yards against Duquesne (183 on 36 attempts) than they did in their first two games (187 on 79 attempts), the Panthers are averaging 194.3 YPG at a clip of 4.8 yards a pop, led by Marcus Carroll (67 carries, 358 yards, 7 TD).

Carroll had three touchdowns in each of the first two games, and he already has hit paydirt more times than he did in 11 games last season (six).

Coastal Carolina vs Georgia State Prediction and Picks

Prediction: Coastal Carolina to win

Picks: Coastal Carolina -6.5 (-115 at Bovada) & Georgia State/Coastal Carolina 1st quarter over 13.5 (-120 at Bovada)

While the road success in this matchup shouldn’t be overlooked, I’m not backing it to continue.

I am eager to see how Georgia State does over the next several weeks, but the competition they have gone up against to this point is a mark against them here.

Along with going up against Rhode Island of the FCS, the Panthers’ two top-level opponents might be two of the worst teams in the FBS.

Coastal Carolina has also played an FCS team, and Jacksonville State is an FBS newcomer. But they were in the game most of the way at UCLA–who is now ranked–even with McCall not at his best and the ground game not flourishing.

It remains to be seen if this year’s Coastal Carolina club is on the same level as their previous three. But I expect them to end the run of road wins between these two teams.

In addition to backing the Chanticleers to cover, I’m also rolling with the over for the first quarter.

In Coastal Carolina’s last eight home games in Sun Belt play, 14 or more points have been scored in the first quarter five times. Also, there have been 14 or more first-quarter points four times in the six meetings between these two teams.

Where to Bet on Georgia State vs Coastal Carolina

Most top online sportsbooks offer a wide variety of college football odds throughout the season.

In addition to being able to make weekly college football picks all the way from Week Zero to the College Football Playoff National Championship, you can also bet on Heisman Trophy odds, conference championship odds, win totals, and much more.

Along with Bovada, where the Georgia State vs Coastal Carolina odds in this article are from, there are plenty of sports betting sites you can choose from that are good for college football betting.

Below are some of the other books that we highly recommend:

• BetOnline
• BetUS
• Bookmaker
• MyBookie
• Sportsbetting.ag

If you don’t have an account at a book on this list, check out our reviews to help you determine if it is worth your interest and your betting funds.