Georgia State is staking an early claim to be the best team in the Sun Belt Conference off to a 4-0 start. The Panthers are positioned well to continue their success against Troy, which is 2-2 but has yet to cover a point spread. 

The Panthers are home and on extra rest having defeated Coastal Carolina last Thursday, 30-17, as a 5-point road 'dog. Troy has played just once on the road. The Trojans were blown out, 42-13, by Kansas State in that game. 

Georgia State has a good dual threat QB, Danny Grainger, and one of the best running backs, Marcus Carroll, in the country. Carroll is fifth in the nation in rushing yards with 508 and has scored the most rushing TD's of any running back with eight. 

The Panthers' defensive strength is their 23rd-ranked run defense. Troy has trouble running the ball. 

The teams did not meet last season. But Georgia State beat and covered against the Trojans in 2021, 2020 and 2019. The Panthers won those games by an average margin of 16 points.