South Alabama vs. Georgia State Prediction, Picks & Odds: Who'll Win in College Football Week 9?

With just one game scheduled for Thursday night, let’s focus all of our energy on the Sun Belt matchup between South Alabama and Georgia State. I’m diving in with my South Alabama vs. Georgia State prediction and picks, for which the Jaguars are the 6.5-point road betting favorite.

My college football picks advise backing the Jaguars to earn their first conference win. I also make my best play on the total as part of my college football predictions for Week 9.

🏈 South Alabama vs. Georgia State prediction

College football picks for Week 9; odds subject to change.

• Game prediction: South Alabama -6.5 (-110 via BetMGM) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Over/Under pick: Under 55.5 (-107 via Caesars) ⭐⭐⭐

🆚 Who will win South Alabama vs. Georgia State?

This matchup pits two of the three remaining winless teams in Sun Belt play. South Alabama is just 1-3 SU as a betting favorite this year and has lost three straight (all by eight-plus points) in this rivalry. However, it has a decisive scheduling advantage and should be the fresher of the teams. 

✅ Best South Alabama vs. Georgia State bet

🐆 South Alabama -6.5 (-110) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

South Alabama is a much better team than its 1-6 record suggests. The Jaguars lost by two points to a good Tulane team, led at halftime against Coastal Carolina before a second-half collapse and played Auburn tough on the road. In the last two weeks, they lost to a walk-off field goal and in overtime.

Letdowns in close games might have many fading South Alabama, but I see this game as a springboard opportunity for a successful final stretch.

Jaguars' running game should pave the way

South Alabama amassed 200-plus rushing yards in back-to-back weeks before its 175-yard output against Arkansas State on Tuesday.

Not rushing for 200 yards against a Red Wolves defense that had ranked 118th in Rushing Success Rate allowed could be perceived as disappointing. However, it still finished with two players averaging 7.7 or more yards per carry on combined 14 attempts.

Meanwhile, Georgia State has covered the spread in just one of seven games this season, allowing 208 rushing yards and 5.0 yards per carry in a 17-point loss (as 6.5-point underdogs) last week. Facing a physical South Alabama team with less than a week to prepare should again doom the Panthers.

Most of the best sports betting sites are aligned with the -110 odds at a 52.38% implied probability. If the Jaguars cover, a $10 winning wager at BetMGM would net $9.09 in profits.

⚖️ South Alabama vs. Georgia State score prediction: South Alabama 31-Georgia State 17

Track the latest college football scores for line movement and matchup info.

⬇️ Under 55.5 (-107) ⭐⭐⭐

South Alabama and Georgia State have scored 58 and 51 points, respectively, through three conference games.

South Alabama entered last week with the fourth-best secondary unit in the conference, per PFF. The Jaguars allowed 4.6 yards per pass attempt last week, while surrendering just their eighth passing touchdown of the season.

The unit held up considering they faced a heavy volume of passes (45) versus runs (32).

The Jaguars should make Georgia State one-dimensional, especially since they entered last week ranked 17th in Passing EPA allowed and in the top 45 in pass explosives allowed.

Caesars is the only one of the best sports betting apps charging less than -108 juice for the Under 55.5. If the Under cashes, a $10 wager through Caesars’ -107 odds would return $9.35 in profits.

📊 South Alabama vs. Georgia State odds

Latest college football odds updated live in real time.

📺 How to watch South Alabama vs. Georgia State

• Date: Thursday, Oct. 23
• Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
• Where: Center Parc Stadium (Atlanta)
• TV: ESPN2