Old Dominion is coming off a flat-out spirited 10-3 upset victory over Appalachian State, a win where the Monarchs held their opponent to a measly 158 total yards. This nationally televised Sun Belt matchup on Thursday night carries big bowl implications for both ODU and their hosts, the Georgia Southern Eagles. It’s Week 7, and these teams, both sitting at 2-4 overall, 1-2 for Old Dominion and 1-1 for Georgia Southern in conference play, desperately need this one.
Monarchs’ Defense Is Playing Like It’s Unstoppable
Listen, that 10-3 win against Appalachian State wasn’t a fluke; it was a statement. Old Dominion showcased a defense that simply refused to break, and it’s clear their D-line and secondary are something special. The SportsLine model even predicts this Thursday’s game will go Under 45.5 points, despite the Over hitting in 60% of games involving *either* of these teams this season. Why? Because both teams’ defenses, especially ODU’s, rank higher than their offensive counterparts. Quinn Henicle and Devin Roche combined for 667 rushing yards, but outside of a blowout win over Norfolk State, the Monarchs’ offense has been one of the least productive units in FBS, averaging a paltry 18 points per game. Their defense, though, that’s where the magic happens.
Georgia Southern’s QB Is Slinging It, But the Run Game Is MIA
On the other side, Georgia Southern is rolling into this game after a tough 27-24 loss to unbeaten James Madison. But don’t let the loss fool you, because QB Max Johnson was an absolute bright spot, slinging for 343 yards and three touchdowns in that game. The Eagles average 275 pass yards per game, which is solid, but here’s the rub: they rank 117th in rushing. You can’t be one-dimensional in the Sun Belt if you want to make a run. Interestingly, Georgia Southern has been a bettor’s friend this season, going 5-1 against the spread, while ODU has struggled at 1-5 versus the line. This is also Georgia Southern’s first game total under 51.5 points all season, which tells you a lot about their usual offensive firepower.
The series history between these two is knotted up at 3-3 overall, but Old Dominion has taken the last three meetings, including a dominant 45-10 victory last season. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET at S.B. Ballard Stadium in Norfolk, Virginia. With huge bowl implications on the line, this game is going to be a battle.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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