Georgia Southern vs. App State Opt-Out Tracker, Transfers, Injuries, Starting Lineups, Best Bet for JLab Birmingham Bowl
The Georgia Southern Eagles will take on the Appalachian State Mountaineers in the JLab Birmingham Bowl on Monday afternoon in a rare conference rematch. Jack Borovitz analyzes this Georgia Southern vs. App State transfer portal and opt-out tracker for Monday, December 29th in the Birmingham Bowl.
Jack Borovitz - December 27, 2025, 7:00 PM EST
5 Minute ReadGeorgia Southern vs. App State Preview: Who Is Opting-Out, Injured for JLab Birmingham Bowl on Monday, December 29th
The JLab Birmingham Bowl brings a rare conference rematch with dramatically different circumstances. Georgia Southern sits as a -7.5 favorite after the line opened at -2.5, a massive five-point shift that reflects App State's roster decimation through the transfer portal. The Eagles earned bowl eligibility legitimately at 6-6, while the Mountaineers backed into this game at 5-7 through APR eligibility. One team enters with continuity and confidence, the other scrambles to field a functional offense after losing both starting quarterbacks.
Georgia Southern enters seeking its first bowl win under Clay Helton after three consecutive losses. The Eagles finished strong, winning three of their last four games including a 25-23 victory over App State in early November. QB JC French IV threw for over 3,000 yards this season, leading an offense that ranked 59th nationally in yards per play and 38th in third-down conversions. RB OJ Arnold and WR Dalen Cobb missed the regular season finale with injuries but are expected back. Helton's program earned this spot, and the Eagles come in with recent game tape against this opponent and a psychological edge from the November win.
App State faces catastrophic roster losses that turned a competitive rivalry into a potential blowout. Both starting quarterbacks entered the transfer portal. AJ Swann lost his job late in the year but threw for nearly 350 yards in the first meeting with Georgia Southern. JJ Kohl took over as starter down the stretch, then left for the portal. The Mountaineers now turn to either freshman Noah Gillon, who completed 13 of 32 passes for 111 yards this season, or Billy Wiles, a senior transfer from Clemson and Southern Miss. On defense, starting safety DJ Burks, the team's leading tackler over the past two seasons, opted out. Starting WR Davion Dozier (448 yards, 5 TDs), starting CB Elijah Mc-Cantos, and multiple rotational players all left.
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Georgia Southern vs. App State Date, Time, and Where to Watch JLab Birmingham Bowl
- Date: Monday, December 29, 2025
- Time: 2:00 PM ET
- How to Watch: ESPN
Georgia Southern vs. App State State Odds
JLab Birmingham Bowl | Odds |
|---|---|
Georgia Southern -8.5 (-105) | Appalachian State +8.5 (-115) |
Georgia Southern ML (-325) | Appalachian State ML (-185) |
Over 58.5 Total Points | Under 58.5 Total Points |
Click here for the latest Georgia Southern vs. App State Odds
Georgia Southern vs. App State Opt-Outs Tracker & Injuries
Georgia Southern Injuries
- RB OJ Arnold (stud; missed finale)
- WR Dalen Cobb (missed finale)
- DT Devan Lowe (missed finale)
Appalachian State Transfer Portal
- QB AJ Swann (lost job late in year)
- QB JJ Kohl (took starting job late in year)
- Starting S DJ Burks (leading tackler over past two seasons)
- Starting WR Davion Dozier (448 yards, 5 TDs)
- Starting CB Elijah Mc-Cantos (705 snaps)
- LB Brayshawn Littlejohn (305 snaps)
- EDGE Thomas Davis (220 snaps; hasn't played since Week 8)
- OT Denell Nix Jr. (236 snaps)
Appalachian State Injuries
- WR Jaden Barnes (didn't play final two games)
- RG Trent Ramsey (hasn't played since Week 8)
- TE Izayah Cummings (hasn't played since Week 9)
- S Dylan Hasz (missed final two games)
Georgia Southern vs. App State Odds Breakdown - JLab Birmingham Bowl
Georgia Southern dominated the first meeting before allowing App State to make it respectable late. The Eagles jumped to a 19-0 second-quarter lead and never allowed the Mountaineers to have the ball with a chance to tie. French completed passes efficiently, the running game controlled tempo, and the defense forced stops on third down. App State scored a late touchdown that made the final score 25-23, but the game was never in doubt. The neutral site at Protective Stadium removes App State's home field advantage, shifting the line at least three points toward the Eagles before accounting for roster changes.
App State's quarterback situation creates uncertainty that no game plan can overcome. Swann threw for nearly 350 yards in the November matchup, showing he understood how to attack Georgia Southern's defense. Kohl took over late in the season and managed the offense competently. Both are gone. Gillon has attempted 32 passes all season, completing 13 for 111 yards. Wiles has experience at Clemson and Southern Miss but hasn't taken meaningful snaps in years. Against a Georgia Southern defense that already has film on this offense, inexperience at quarterback will show immediately.
The Mountaineers also lost depth at critical positions. Burks led the team in tackles over the past two seasons and anchored the secondary. Mc-Cantos started at corner and logged 705 snaps. Dozier provided the most consistent receiving threat. All opted out or entered the portal. App State ranked 100th nationally in yards per play and 125th in third-down conversions during the regular season. Those numbers reflected structural offensive limitations even with stable quarterback play. Without Swann or Kohl, those limitations become insurmountable.
From a market perspective, the line raised from -2.5 to -8.5, a six-point shift driven entirely by App State's roster attrition. Sharp money hammered Georgia Southern early, and oddsmakers respected the action. The Eagles went 7-1 ATS historically in their last eight meetings with App State, showing this rivalry typically breaks their way from a betting standpoint. Four of Georgia Southern's final five games went Under their totals, suggesting Helton's ball-control approach limits possessions and keeps scores manageable.
Georgia Southern vs. App State Best Bet
- Pick: Georgia Southern -8.5 (-105) Check out these best odds on DraftKings Sportsbook
The market moved this line for a reason. Georgia Southern earned bowl eligibility legitimately, comes in with momentum from three wins in four games, and has recent tape against this opponent. App State backed into this game through APR eligibility after finishing 5-7, lost both starting quarterbacks to the portal, and faces uncertainty at multiple positions. The Eagles already beat the Mountaineers by two when both teams had their full rosters. Laying more than a touchdown with the more complete team in a rematch is the right side in Birmingham.
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