How App State Can Win:

The Mountaineers are going to need every single part of their game to culminate if they want to beat Georgia Southern on Black Saturday. The Mountaineers sport a much better passing game and will need to show it.

Kameron Bryant leads the SoCon with a passing efficiency rating of 154.2.

Three-time SoCon Freshman of the Week, running back Marcus Cox will be a valuable weapon as he is now second in receiving in the SoCon averaging 71.1 yards per game. Andrew Peacock currently leads the SoCon in receptions per game and, alongside Tony Washington, will be the top outside option.

How GSU Can Win:

The No. 24 ranked Eagles are going to bring a hard-hitting, grind-them-out running game that has shown pretty good success this season. Georgia Southern and its triple-option offense lead the SoCon in scoring with 40.2 points per game, total offense with 491.7 yards per game, and rushing with 369.8 yards per game.

They also lead in passing efficiency with a rating of 170.6 but are seventh of nine teams in the SoCon in passing offense.

The Eagles are expecting another great game from SoCon Player of the Year candidate, senior quarterback Jerick McKinnon. He leads the SoCon in rushing at 794 yards and 132.3 yards per game.

The Bottom Line:

This is going to be a heck of a game the SoCon’s best rivalry, and soon to be great Sun Belt rivalry.

App State is trying to avoid losing five straight for the first time since the 1992-93 season and avoid six straight home losses for the first time.

The Eagles are trying to avoid losing to the Mountaineers for a third straight time and will look to continue a win streak after falling to Samford two weeks ago, but beating The Citadel last Saturday.

Story: Andrew Clausen, Sports Editor