S9 Ep 14: Marshall Preview with The Thundercast

Did Georgia Southern have its first complete game of the Clay Helton era? Matt and Cody discuss the blowout win against Marshall, and how the next three weeks will determine whether it was an anomaly or a sign of things to come. That starts Saturday in Atlanta against rival Georgia State.  Show Notes: First Complete Game in the Helton Era? Road Doesn't Get Easier for the Eagles  We're Peaking at the Right Time, But Have to Finish  Max Johnson Is Playing His Best Ball of His Career  Wide Receivers Are Stepping Up in a Big Way Gamble and Calicut Solidify the Secondary  Unfamiliar Seriousness Out of Clay Helton This Year Georgia State Has Been a Roller Coaster, But Trending Upward Panthers Have All the Motivation in the World to Beat Us  Does the Marshall Blowout Set Up a Letdown Against State? Keys to Taking Care of Business in Turner Field

For the second straight week, we welcome on a guest from the other side. This time it's Rus Livingood from The Thundercast. Rus shares the current perspective of the Marshall fan base, breaks down the volatile QB position, an improved Marshall defense and a dangerous special teams unit for the Herd. Show Notes: Getting to Know The Thundercast Current Feeling Amongst the Marshall Fan Base What Happened with QB Carlos Del Rio-Wilson? Which Marshall QB Should Georgia Southern Expect to Face? Key RBs and WRs to Watch Dangerous Special Teams Unit Could Be an X-Factor Defense Improving, but Still Susceptible to Explosive Plays

Georgia Southern controls its destiny in the Sun Belt East after a dominating performance by the Eagles defense in a 19-3 win against rival App State. Matt and Cody discuss the standout defensive performance, the offensive struggles in the redzone, the light crowd at Paulson and the upcoming game against Marshall.  Show Notes: Defensive Has All-Time Performance Offense Struggles in Redzone Bryant Goes 4-for-4 Including a Career Long Trunk-or-Treat, New Statues and Whiteout Attendance  Marshall Preview: Thunderherd Struggling Despite 5-3 Record Marshall's Offense and Defense Both Rank in Bottom of FBS Can Eagles Avoid the Letdown in November?

In a special bonus episode for Deeper Than Hate Week, App State super fan and Sun Belt Syndicate host Dominick Crosetto joins the show. We discuss key players for the Mountaineers, App's lack of a running game and what this rivalry means to both fan bases.  Show Notes: Get to Know Dominick Crosetto Was the JMU Win App's Breakthrough?  Mountaineers Lack of a Running Game Two QB System: What to Expect Out of Singleton and Hasselbeck Wideouts to Watch  Playmakers on Defense That Could Be Difference Makers  What This Rivalry Means for Both Fan Bases  Is Georgia Southern App's Biggest Rival? Depends on Who You Ask Trip Down Memory Lane: 2007 Crack in the Rock and No. 25 Upset

After taking a bye week with the team, GATA Talk is back, and there is a ton to discuss. What does James Madison's exit mean for Georgia Southern? With more conference realignment on the horizon, where do the Eagles fall in it all? Are conference championship games and bowl games a thing of the past? It's also Hate Week, with a home rivalry game against App State on Halloween night with a lot on the line.  Show Notes: Is JMU's Exit Good or Bad for Georgia Southern Moving Forward? Does the Sun Belt Backfill or Stay at 13 Teams? With More Realignment Looming, How Is GS Positioning Itself?  24-Team Playoff: Pros and Cons for G6 Schools  Are CCGs, Divisions and Bowl Games a Dying Breed?  Sun Belt Adds San Juan Bowl Against the ACC  ODU Recap: Eagles Once Again Struggle to Put a Bad Team Away  A Cautionary Tale of Celebrating a Backup QBs Performance Hate Week: App State Coming in with Momentum and Confidence  Fraud Alert? Outside of JMU, App Has Had a Cupcake Schedule Whiteout at Paulson: What Will the Atmosphere Be Like?  The Boro and GS Has Exploded the Past 20 Years, School Spirit Hasn't

Please note, this was recorded Sunday night prior to JMU's announcement that they were leaving the Sun Belt for the American. Matt and Cody react to the home loss to JMU and preview Thursday's matchup with ODU.  Show Notes: Once Again Couldn't Put Together a Complete Game Sun Belt Championship Essentially Out of Reach Crucial Moments: 3rd-and-2 w/ Weston, Onside Kick, Sequence Before Ford Kick Georgia Southern Field Goal Kickers at 5-11 on the Year Shoutouts for Gutsy Efforts by Sears and Dallas  Officiating and the Phantom Timeout: We Look at the Tape ODU Preview: Struggling Team with a Little Confidence  Shutting Down ODU's Run is Key Offense Has to be Aggressive Early and Never Let up

Georgia Southern starts conference play 1-0 with a one-score win against Coastal Carolina on the road. The Eagles looked great at times, and bad others, continuing their inconsistent play. Special teams and a lack of a real running game are major concerns headed into a huge matchup against defending Sun Belt champion James Madison.  Show Notes: Glad We Won, but How You Win Matters Two Goal Line Turnovers Cost Coastal  Eagles Special Teams Is a Major Lability  Weston Bryan Flashes Breakaway Speed  Lack of Real Running Game Is a Major Concern Defense Bent and Almost Broke in Half at Times James Madison Preview: Dukes Looking for First Win at Paulson  JMU Will Present Major Test of Stopping the Run Eagles Offense Must be More Consistent for Chance at Upset  Special Teams Needs to be Conservative and Safe

Georgia Southern ends its out-of-conference schedule a disappointing 1-3 after a 42-28 loss to Houston. Now, the Eagles head up to Conway to face Coastal Carolina in a battle of struggling programs looking to start 1-0 in Sun Belt play.   Show Notes: Defense Struggles Against Houston Max Johnson Has Best Game, but Still Outshined by Weigman Houston's O-Line Dominates Eagles' Front 7 Through 4 Games, Eagles Still Unable to Play a Complete Game  Has Georgia Southern Ever Played 4 Complete Quarters Under Helton? Hollins and Myles Out, and Alex Taylor's Breakout Game  Coastal Preview: Two Teams Desperate for a Win Coastal's Offense Runs Through Its QB What a Win or Loss Would Mean for the Season

Georgia Southern lets a 17-point lead slip away after special teams blunders, some defensive lapses and a stagnant second-half offense in a 31-27 loss to Jax State. The Eagles now find themselves 1-2 and staring 1-3 in the mirror with a home game against a ranked Houston team.  Show Notes: Second Half Collapse of Epic Proportions  Special Teams Absolutely Horrific Through Three Games Play Calling Still Bad, Especially in Second Halves  QB Play Remains Suspect with Inability to Throw Downfield Should We Let Weston Bryan Run the Offense? Why This Team Isn't Competing for a Sun Belt Championship Defense Shows Its Human, But Still Greatly Improved Houston and Willie Fritz Will Be Hunting a Wounded Duck

Georgia Southern's lackluster offense is its downfall in a 22-7 loss at Clemson. Matt and Cody react to the questionable playcalling and player execution in a rough showing for the offense as well as discuss a fantastic showing from the Eagles defense. The guys also preview Saturday's game against Jax State that is a must-win. Show Notes: Special Teams Put Us in a Hole Early Offensive Woes Don't Fall Solely on Aplin Defense Plays Lights Out for Second Straight Game Is the Defense Championship Caliber? Jax State Preview: Familiar Face at OC Gamecocks' Offense Runs Through QB Caden Creel Eagles Must Establish the Run Early Against Jax State Sun Belt Round-Up from Week 2