Arkansas State vs. Georgia Southern 2025 Preview: Keys to the Game

The Georgia Southern Eagles (3-4) will travel from Statesboro to Jonesboro to take on the Arkansas State Red Wolves (3-4) in Week 9. The Red Wolves enter this matchup 2-1 in conference play, while the Eagles enter 1-2, and desperately need to even that record if they want to keep their dream of a Sun Belt Championship alive. Arkansas State opened up as 3-point favorites, according to Vegas Insider, but the line has since moved. At the time of this writing, the Red Wolves are only short 1.5-point favorites, suggesting early money on the Eagles. The total is another high number, set at 60.5.

Georgia Southern Eagles vs. Arkansas State Red Wolves: Matchup History

The all-time series between Georgia Southern and Arkansas State is all tied up, with both teams having three wins over the other. The most recent matchup between the two schools came in 2021, when the Eagles soared over the Red Wolves and won an exciting 59-33 contest. However, that game was in Statesboro. The Eagles have yet to win a game in this series on the road in Jonesboro.

Arkansas State vs. Georgia Southern: 2025 Game Preview

Key Players for the Red Wolves

Arkansas State’s starting quarterback Jaylen Raynor is a gunslinger who can move well. Raynor has 1660 passing yards on the year. He averages 237.1 passing yards per game and has thrown for 200 yards in his last five games. The junior also has 272 rushing yards on the season with four rushing touchdowns. The Eagles have had some struggles stopping mobile quarterbacks, but Raynor is such a threat in the pocket, Georgia Southern may want to take their chances.

Another key player for the Red Wolves is defensive back Brandon Greil. The 5-foot-11 junior has 39 tackles on the year, 20 of which are solo tackles. Greil also has an interception on the year, which he returned for a 32-yard pick six against UL Monroe. It is more than likely that Greil will line up against the Eagles best weapon, Camden Brown, which should be a fantastic battle between two great players.

Key Players for the Eagle

Wide receiver Camden Brown will be the biggest factor for the Eagles. Brown has continued to improve all year, emerging as the best player on the team; and his connection with quarterback JC French is only growing. The Red Wolves have a lackluster pass defense, allowing 241.3 passing yards a game. Expect French to look for Brown as often as possible.

Georgia Southern starting running back OJ Arnold has been stellar for the Eagles, both on the ground and in the air. Last week, Arnold had two 30+ yard receptions with a total of 159 yards on the day. He is not just a powerful downhill runner; he also is a serious threat out of the backfield. Against this pass defense, do not be surprised if Arnold has another game with more receiving yards than rushing.

How The Eagles Win

JC French will need to have a good, clean, game. Eliminating turnovers will not only keep the ball out of the Red Wolves hands, but it also will build confidence in the passing game. That should allow French to expose a questionable pass defense. If Camden Brown and French can connect early, the Eagles may be able to really move the ball in the air. Wide receiver Dalen Cobb will also need to expect some targets this week. If Arkansas State has Greil on Brown all night then French will need Cobb to step up.

Getting OJ Arnold as involved as possible will also be beneficial to the Eagles. Not only did Arnold just prove his worth coming out of the backfield, but he is a seriously powerful runner with well over 400 rushing yards on the year.

The defense will need to find a way to slow down Red Wolves starting quarterback Jaylen Raynor. With his dual-threat ability, the defensive discipline will be key. Eagles will have to rely on their pass rush to contain the shifty quarterback and hope that they can cash in on a few sacks against an offensive line that has allowed around 2.9 sacks per game.

Game Prediction

Our final prediction is 35-24, with the Eagles getting the conference win on the road. This would mean Georgia Southern covers the 1.5-point spread as underdogs, and the total just barely sits under the line of 60.5. Expect the Eagles to attack the air right away, which could give them an early lead that helps Georgia Southern and JC French coast to victory.