Fresno State vs. Georgia Southern 2025: Must-Know Keys & Predictions

There is nothing quite like Week 1 of college football, when excitement and expectations are at their highest. The Georgia Southern Eagles aim to start their season with some momentum, traveling across the country to face the 0-1 Fresno State Bulldogs, who aim to rebound after a brutal Week 0 loss to the Kansas Jayhawks. Buckle up, as we dive into the Fresno State vs. Georgia Southern 2025 matchup, highlighting key players and predictions for Week 1.

Fresno State Bulldogs vs. Georgia Southern Eagles: History and Excerpts

This will be the first meeting between Georgia Southern and Fresno State, making this 2025 matchup one full of varying predictions and expectations for both teams.

Popular betting sites, such as FanDuel, originally had the Bulldogs as 2.5-point favorites but has since moved the line to 1.5. Only getting 2.5 points when hosting a team from the opposite coast is telling that Vegas always believed that The Eagles would come to play, now that the line has shrunk, bettors should be certain this one will be close.

Speaking to the media, Fresno State head coach Matt Entz said the team must move on from their Week 0 loss to Kansas and focus on Georgia Southern in Week 1.

““You can’t let one [loss] turn into two,” said Entz. “We need to learn from our mistakes … [and] the next game [against Georgia Southern] is the most important one.”

Fresno State vs. Georgia Southern 2025: Must-Know Keys & Predictions

Fresno State’s Offensive Struggles

The Jayhawk defensive front had their way with the Bulldogs last week, holding them to only 37 rushing yards. This was also evident in the passing game as EJ Warner was consistently forced outside the pocket with pressure, leading to his two interceptions. Although the Bulldogs offensive line could not seem to block the Jayhawks, Warner only conceded one sack, emphasizing his playmaking ability.

Without a run game, it is hard to cultivate a passing attack. While Warner did struggle last week, he is still this Fresno State’s X-factor. The Bulldogs will need to establish their rushing game early if they hope to give him a chance to improve on his performance, a big test for Coach Entz’s “run-first” philosophy.

Bulldogs’ Defensive Struggles

Anyone watching the Week 0 matchup between Kansas and Fresno State would have noticed the Bulldogs poor tackling. Not only were they not wrapping up, but Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels was making them miss with his athleticism.

It’s a good sign for designed-runs for Eagles quarterback JC French. The Jayhawks also found success in their balanced offense. They ran for over 200 yards while throwing for 176, which kept the Bulldogs guessing all night.

Key Players for Fresno State

One key player for the Bulldogs is, of course, EJ Warner. The senior needs to play better and limit the turnovers if Fresno State wants to win.

Another vocal point of this team will be DB Al’Zillion Hamilton, a potential Jim Thorpe Award finalist. Hamilton needs to assert himself as the defensive leader and help limit the big passing plays that Kansas used to take advantage of Fresno in Week 0.

The biggest key for the Bulldogs, however, will be their backfield. Running backs Bryson Donelson and Rayshon Luke are both incredibly talented but cannot do it alone. Against Kansas, Fresno State allowed 10 tackles-for-loss, greatly crippling their run game. If the Bulldogs can limit the TFLs against the Eagles, expect this run game to look a whole lot better.

Key Players for Georgia Southern

For the Eagles, defense will be the key. Explosive weak-side safety, Justin Meyers, will be crucial to the success of this defensive unit. Meyers will not only be tasked with watching the quarterback’s eyes, but will be a key player in stopping the Bulldogs’ rushing game. Meyers is quick and can fly down to the line of scrimmage to support his linebackers.

Nose tackle Latrell Bullard will also be a key for the Eagles. After the Bulldogs struggled against Kansas’ defensive front, make no mistake Coach Helton will try to take advantage of that. Bullard has the potential to be an NFL draft sleeper and should have every opportunity to make some noise in California.

On offense, Auburn transfer wide receiver Camden Brown will be someone to watch. After Cam Pickett torched the Fresno secondary, expect some deep shots, and for them to go to Brown. While new to the team, Brown has already developed a connection with JC French. He’s already caught a touchdown from the quarterback in the team’s spring game, and will look to continue that success in Week 1. Expect the Eagles to try and build this connection early and often, as it will be pivotal for the entire season.

The Eagles Win Condition

Offensively, the Eagles need to establish a balanced attack, consisting of both the rush and the pass. Camden Brown and JC French will need to establish a connection early while maintaining the constant threat of the rush. The Bulldogs struggled to tackle against the Jayhawks, so physicality will be a point of emphasis for the Eagles running back room.

Defensively, the Eagles need to keep pressure on EJ Warner. While Warner did not have his best game in Week 0, he still showed his athleticism and playmaking ability. The Jayhawks’ defensive front had pressure on seemingly every play. However, Warner only gave up one sack, a real testament to his ability. Bringing Warner down will be the biggest factor for the Eagles. Yet, they will also need to stop Coach Entz’s running game.

Kansas held the Bulldogs to only 37 rushing yards. It was the biggest reason for the dominant performance in the college football matchup. Both Latrell Bullard and linebacker Brendan Harrington will need to show up.

If the Eagles can take away the run game and put pressure on Warner while maintaining a balanced offensive attack, they will start their season with an upset victory. But if the Eagles let Fresno establish the ground game, Warner will put on a show and remind fans that football runs through his blood.