The Panthers are predicted to finish 11th in the 14-team Sun Belt Conference, but coach Jonas Hayes says the team has 'that it factor.'

Georgia State lost 41-24 (Over 59) at -6.5 Georgia Southern Saturday. With that setback, GSU continued its own skid: the Panthers have lost 4 in a row. Georgia State has allowed 40-plus points in back-to-back games and in 6 of its last 9 games since last November. The 2025 Panthers rank 136th and last in scoring defense (41.1 PPG).

Both South Alabama and Georgia State need to win out to become bowl-eligible, which means the loser of Thursday night’s game is guaranteed a losing record and no postseason berth. The Jaguars enter the game having lost six straight, while the Panthers have lost four in a row.

Preview the Oct. 23 matchup between the South Alabama Jaguars and Georgia State Panthers with predictions, odds, over/under, spread, betting lines and more.

Preview the Week 9 NCAA football matchup between the South Alabama Jaguars and Georgia State Panthers with a prediction, pick, odds and more.

Athlon Sports’ Steven Lassan provides his expert prediction for South Alabama vs. Georgia State on Friday in Week 9 of the college football season.

Reinhart led the Georgia State men's basketball program from 1985 to 1994. In 1991, he guided the Panthers to their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance.

Coastal Carolina plays at Georgia Southern on Nov. 15. Georgia State hosts Marshall on Nov. 15.