LSU Opponent Preview 2023: Georgia State

LSU’s second to last game last year was a 41-10 win over UAB, the final home game of the year with the seniors getting their ovation one last time. This time, the late non-conference game will be against Georgia State in Tiger Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 18 in the second to last game of the regular season.

This serves as a reset for LSU who has postseason aspirations and still a game against Texas A&M to end the season. Let’s take a closer look at the Tigers’ final non-conference opponent and what to expect.

Head coach: Shawn Elliott (6th season)

Offensive coordinator: Trent McKnight (2nd season, 7th at Georgia State)

Defensive coordinator: Chad Staggs (1st season)

Last year

The Panthers ended the year 4-8 overall and 3-5 in a really good Sun Belt conference last year, but hung around with North Carolina, James Madison, and Marshall until the end. Still, it was a disappointing year for Shawn Elliott, who had only had one losing season in his first five years before 2022.

Offense

At 5.72 yards per play and 417 yards per game, the offense held its own, scoring at least 23 points in all but two games last season and breaking 40 four times. Georgia State’s offense ended the year ranked 66th in offensive EPA last year, stronger in the pass game than the run.

Wide receiver Jamari Thrash ended the year with 61 receptions for 1,122 yards and was named to the All-SBC first-team. The Panthers also had two senior offensive linemen who were named to the All-SBC second team offense. Quarterback Darren Grainger completed 58.6 percent of his passes for 2,443 yards, 18 touchdowns, and seven interceptions.

Defense

Georgia State ranked 43rd in defensive EPA per play and it’s largely due to some really quality play in the secondary. Led by second-team all-conference cornerback Quavian White and third-team all-conference defensive back Antavious Lane, the defense forced Drake Maye, Spencer Rattler, and Grayson McCall early in the season.

Ultimately, having a limited rushing defense in a physical conference like the SBC where you have to play Coastal Carolina, Appalachian State, Marshall, and Georgia Southern wears on your defense.

Offseason moves

Transferred out: DL Jeffery Clark, S Antavious Lane, WR Jamari Thrash, DL Akeem Smith, DL Thomas Gore, LB Jamil Muhammad, OT Johnathan Bass.

Transferred in: IOL Tyden Ferris, LB Tavian Brown, WR Jacari Carter, CB Gavin Pringle, DL Henry Bryant, DE Kevin Swint.

Georgia State lost six players to P5 programs over the offseason, a large total for a team that went 4-8 last year. Still, it’s a good group of additions to fill the gaps on both sides. G5 programs have been hit hard by the transfer portal over the past two springs, limiting the top-end talent in the programs. Instead, teams like Georgia State have to win with depth and youth stepping up on its roster.

Going into 2023

Georgia State is in a really tough division, the much tougher side of the Sun Belt, with Coastal Carolina, Marshall, James Madison, and Appalachian State on their schedule. Its going to require a significant step forward in 2023 on both sides, but the pieces are there to make this work.

There’s quality depth on both lines of scrimmage, a returning quarterback, a returning linebacker corps, led by senior Jordan Veneziale, and a nice 1-2 punch at running back with Marcus Carroll and KZ Adams.

It’s a much easier non-conference slate this year, instead of South Carolina, North Carolina, Charlotte and Army, in 2023 the Panthers face Rhode Island, Connecticut, Charlotte and then LSU late in the year. Georgia State has two trips to the boot, with a road game at ULL also on the schedule. I expect Georgia State to return to a bowl game.