Georgia Southern vs. Old Dominion 2025 Preview: Eagles to Upset as 10-Point Dogs?

The Georgia Southern Eagles are one win away from bowl eligibility and aim to get that win when they host the Old Dominion Monarchs in Week 13. The Monarchs have been extraordinary this season, winning several games by a margin of 20 points or more. Their only three losses come from one of the best teams in the country in Indiana, the best team in the Sun Belt in James Madison, and, surprisingly, Marshall. Can the Eagles pull off the upset? Let’s find out.

Georgia Southern Eagles vs. Old Dominion Monarchs: 2025 College Football Preview

The Eagles opened as 10-point underdogs, according to Vegas Insider. However, the line has since moved to 12.5, suggesting bettors are siding with the Monarchs. The total opened, and remains, at 62.5. It’s a sign that Vegas believes it will be another high-scoring affair in Statesboro.

Matchup History

Historically, the Eagles have a 3-2 record against the Monarchs. However, both losses came in the last two meetings. Last year, ODU toppled Georgia Southern 47-19. The last time the Monarchs played in Paulson, in 2023, they won 20-17.

The Monarchs’ Key Players

Old Dominion’s starting quarterback Colton Joseph is having a great season. Joseph currently has 2378 passing yards on the year, sitting 38th among FBS quarterbacks. The redshirt sophomore also has 11 rushing touchdowns, ranking 21st amongst FBS quarterbacks. In his last two games, Joseph has put up six touchdowns and five of them were on the ground. 

Dual-threat players have troubled the Eagles defense all year. Before Coastal Carolina’s Samari Collier got hurt, the Chanticleers were taking full advantage of that. In only one quarter, Collier had 69 rushing yards on six carries with a touchdown. If the Eagles want to slow the ODU offense down, they will have to make Joseph one-dimensional and take away either his big arm or quick legs.

The Monarchs have three wide receivers with over 500 receiving yards and one with over 700 yards. Tre Brown is Old Dominion’s leading receiver with 735 receiving yards, ranking him 37th in FBS. Brown is coming off a 112-yard performance against Troy. If the Eagles want to take away Joseph’s leg talent, they will have to be ready to defend the air attack.

The Monarchs defensive backs have also been incredible. Four defensive backs have over 20 solo tackles and at least one tackle-for-loss. Jerome Carter leads the pack with 31, but defensive back Jeremey Mack Jr. has the most tackles-for-loss on the entire team with 9.5. Not only do they pose a serious threat to Eagles quarterback JC French in the air, but they clearly have no reservations about filling gaps in the run game, either.

Mack has proven to be a great blitzer off the edge, typically blitzing on early down situations. If French can identify Mack before the snap, the Eagles might be able to use his talent against him. Yet if he can’t, expect Mack to make some big plays disrupting the pass rush on early downs.

The Eagles’ Keys Players

Eagles starting running back, OJ Arnold, had an incredible outing last week against the Chanticleers. While there is no way Arnold could replicate his 300-yard, three touchdown performance this week, he certainly will be a big factor. Arnold had multiple gains for over 40-yards that helped complement French’s passing game. That success put the Eagles in a position where they could air it out.

This week, the Monarchs are sure to be keen on Arnold. However, they will not be able to stop the senior running back merely by stopping the run. Last week, 53 of Arnold’s 320 total yards came through receptions. And, Arnold currently ranks 21st in FBS for total yards per game, with 107.3.

Another factor for the Eagles will, of course, be wide receiver Camden Brown. With 12 touchdowns on the season, Brown holds the single-season receiving touchdown record for Southern. Brown is also 128 receiving yards away from becoming the first-ever Eagles with an 1000-yard season, and just 77-yards away from having the most receiving yards in program history. When Brown is involved, the Eagles offense is dynamic, and gaps for Arnold open up much quicker.

How The Eagle’s Win

If Georgia Southern wishes to knock off ODU as 10-point underdogs and secure a bowl berth for the fourth straight year, they will need to focus on Colton Joseph. If the Eagles can limit his rushing game, and force Joseph to try and beat them in the air, they may also force a mistake. The Georgia Southern defense, despite all their injuries, has had an interception in each of their last three games. If they can continue to create takeaways and give the offense good field position with momentum, then the Eagles might go bowling.

Prediction

While Old Dominion has proven themselves to be a formidable opponent, 10-point favorites is just too much on the road. This will be Georgia Southern’s final home game and the last opportunity for some of the fans to cheer for their team. With how well the Eagle defense is currently playing, expect them to get a takeaway.

Final Prediction: 37-34, Georgia Southern