James Madison vs. Georgia State Prediction, Pick, Odds: Expect Jordan McCloud, Dukes to Shine on Saturday
The James Madison Dukes travel to Atlanta to face the Georgia State Panthers. NCAAF handicapper Matt MacKay is here to explain why you should expect Jordan McCloud and the Dukes to shine on Saturday. Check out his prediction and pick for James Madison vs. Georgia State.
Matt MacKay - October 30, 2023, 10:28 AM EDT
5 minJames Madison vs. Georgia State Prediction, Pick, Odds: Expect Jordan McCloud, Dukes to Shine on Saturday
Two high-performing Sun Belt opponents will clash in Week 10, as the 8-0 James Madison Dukes travel to Atlanta to face the 6-2 Georgia State Panthers.
James Madison is only in its second year in the Sun Belt conference but they've been very good under head coach Curt Cignetti, reaching eight wins in both years in the FBS. Georgia State will play its third home game in their past seven matchups on Saturday afternoon, facing a James Madison team that just managed to pull away from Old Dominion in Week 9 to remain undefeated. Meanwhile, the Panthers are 6-2 outright and 5-3 ATS, losing by 17 points on the road to Georgia Southern.
Will the No. 23 ranked Dukes continue their unbeaten streak on the road against the Panthers' run-centric offense? Or will the Panthers pull off the upset as 5.5 point home underdogs? NCAAF handicapper Matt MacKay is here to share his latest prediction and pick for James Madison vs. Georgia State.
James Madison vs. Georgia State Date, Time, And Where To Watch
- Date: Saturday, November 4, 2023
- Game Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
- Where to Watch: ESPN2
James Madison vs. Georgia State Odds
- Spread: James Madison -5.5 (-112), Georgia State +5.5 (-108)
- Total Odds: Under 54.5 (-108), Over 54.5 (-112)
- Moneyline Odds: James Madison (-235), Georgia State (+190)
James Madison vs. Georgia State Injury Report
James Madison
Questionable: N/A
Out: N/A
Georgia State
Questionable: N/A
Out: N/A
James Madison vs. Georgia State Prediction
Last year when these two teams played, James Madison won a high-scoring shootout 42-40 at home against Georgia State. Now, they travel south to Atlanta, where the Panthers eagerly await the challenge following their second loss of the season.
James Madison quarterback Jordan McCloud is completing 64 percent of his pass attempts for over 2,000 yards with 18 touchdowns and six interceptions through eight games this season. Running backs Kaelon Black and Ty Son Lawton are the one-two tandem in the backfield, handling over 180 combined carries and chruning out eight total touchdowns, but the emphasis for the Dukes is its passing attack, which has five players with at least two touchdowns and 160 receiving yards.
Georgia State is not very stout on defense against the run or the pass, relying on its offense to outscore opponents. James Madison specializes in stopping the run, allowing just 1.6 YPC and four total rushing touchdowns since Week 2. The Dukes' pass defense is more vulnerable but still remains a quality unit, holding opponents under a 60 percent completion rate until Old Dominion recorded a 72 percent completion rate for 277 yards and two passing touchdowns a week ago.
The best bet to place in this matchup is siding with James Madison and taking -5.5 ATS. Georgia State lost 28-7 against Troy at home back in late September, whereas James Madison went on the road and beat Troy 16-14 back in Week 3. Two of their four road wins have been by at least six points and Georgia State's rushing attack, which is its strength on offense, will be neutralized by the Dukes' run defense on Saturday. Meanwhile, James Madison's passing attack should be on full display against the Panthers' 68th-ranked defense in points per game allowed (25.5), so this is a two-unit wager to lock into place ahead of Saturday's late afternoon Sun Belt matchup.
James Madison vs. Georgia State Pick
- James Madison -5.5 (-112) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
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