Georgia St. Panthers vs Vanderbilt Commodores Picks and Predictions September 14th 2024

ESPN+ will be covering the Vanderbilt Commodores and Georgia State Panthers matchup, set for 7:00 ET on Saturday, September 14th, at Center Parc Stadium in Atlanta. Vanderbilt comes in with a 2-0 record, while Georgia State is 1-1. The over/under line is currently 46 points, with Vanderbilt as the -10.5-point favorite on the road. The money line odds have Vanderbilt at -422 and Georgia State at +320.

After making your picks, it's key to understand how odds impact your winnings. Check out our NCAAF Odds page for more details.

Vanderbilt vs. Georgia State Key Information

• Teams: Commodores at Panthers
• Where: Center Parc Stadium Atlanta
• Date: Saturday, September 14th
• Betting Odds VAND -422 | GAST +320 O/U 46

The Commodores Can Win If…

Vanderbilt is now 2-0 after a dominating 55-0 win over Alcorn State. No betting lines were available for this matchup.

The Commodores took control early, leading 10-0 after the first quarter. By halftime, they had extended their lead to 27-0 and added another 7 points in the third quarter. Vanderbilt finished strong, scoring 21 points in the fourth quarter to secure the 55-0 victory.

Vanderbilt’s offense was dominant in their 55-0 win, racking up 342 total yards and 18 first downs. The Commodores’ ground game was particularly strong, with 242 rushing yards and four touchdowns. In the passing game, Diego Pavia completed 10 of 13 passes for 83 yards, while Nate Johnson added 69 rushing yards on just two carries, including one touchdown.

The Commodores’ defense was solid, holding Alcorn State to 0 points, and Pavia’s passer rating for the game was 92.79. Tristen Brown led the receiving corps with three catches for 27 yards.

Vanderbilt’s defense was dominant in their most recent game, holding Alcorn State to just 31 passing yards and 43 rushing yards. The Commodores forced two interceptions and limited Alcorn State to a total of 74 yards. Alcorn State managed to convert just six first downs against Vanderbilt’s stifling defense.

• The Vanderbilt Commodores have posted a 2-1 record in their previous three games. Against the spread, the team is 3-0 in these same games while going 3-0 on the over/under.
• Vanderbilt has put together a record of 2-8 in their last ten games (regular season). This includes going 4-6 vs. the spread along with an over-under mark of 7-3.

The Panthers Can Win If…

Georgia State is now 1-1 after their 24-21 win over Chattanooga. This was a non-conference game, and there were no betting lines available for this matchup.

The Panthers fell behind 7-3 in the first quarter but managed to take a 14-10 lead by halftime. After the Mocs went up 17-14 in the third quarter, Georgia State outscored them 10-7 in the fourth to pick up the win.

Georgia State’s offense was effective in their 24-21 win, racking up 393 total yards and 22 first downs. The Panthers’ ground game contributed 155 yards and one touchdown, while their passing attack added 238 yards and two scores.

Quarterback Christian Veilleux completed 68.4% of his passes for 238 yards, ending the game with a passer rating of 102.74 and no interceptions. Freddie Brock led the rushing effort with 73 yards on 14 carries, and Ted Hurst was the top receiver, with six catches for 83 yards.

Georgia State’s defense is coming off a game in which they allowed 308 total yards to Chattanooga. The Panthers’ defense was able to pick off two passes, but they did give up 232 yards through the air and two touchdowns. On the ground, Georgia State’s defense was solid, allowing just 76 yards on 28 carries.

• Across Georgia State’s last three regular season games, their record sits at 1-2. In these contests, the team went just 0-3 against the spread, while going 1-2 on the over-under.
• The Georgia State Panthers have gone 6-4 over their last ten regular season games. In these matchups, they ended with an ATS record of 4-6 and an over-under mark of 4-6.

How do I apply NCAAF odds to my bets? Check out our Football Betting Guide for tips.

The Lean

Vanderbilt is favored by -10.5 points in their week three matchup against Georgia State, and we expect them to win by a score of 32-21. Given these projections, the best way to bet on this game is to take Vanderbilt to cover the spread as the road favorite.

With the over/under line set at 46 points, our projection of 53 combined points suggests that taking the over is the most favorable play for this matchup.

Vanderbilt Looks to Keep Momentum in Road Test Against Georgia State

Vanderbilt (2-0) is off to a strong start this season and aims to keep the momentum going as they hit the road for the first time to face Georgia State (1-1) on Saturday in Atlanta. After a dominant 55-0 shutout victory over Alcorn State last weekend, the Commodores are looking to build on their impressive defense and special teams performances as they seek their third consecutive win.

Vanderbilt’s Strong Start

Defensive Dominance

Vanderbilt’s defense was stellar in their victory over Alcorn State, holding the Braves to just 71 total yards and preventing them from crossing midfield. Cornerback Alan Wright added to the defensive highlight reel with a pick-six, while special teams player Martel Hight contributed with a 57-yard punt return for a touchdown.

On special teams, kicker Brock Taylor was flawless, making both of his field-goal attempts and ensuring that Vanderbilt capitalized on every opportunity. The Commodores’ complete effort on defense and special teams has set the tone for their early season success.

Diego Pavia Leads the Offense

While the defense has been exceptional, Vanderbilt’s offense, led by quarterback Diego Pavia, has also been a force. Pavia has passed for 273 yards and two touchdowns while leading the team in rushing with 155 yards and two scores. His dual-threat capability has made him a key playmaker for the Commodores.

What’s more, Vanderbilt has yet to commit a turnover this season—a significant factor in their 2-0 start. Head coach Clark Lea emphasized the importance of staying focused and continuing to improve as the season progresses: “We want a special season, and that means we have to continue to improve,” Lea said, reflecting on the team’s early success.

Areas for Improvement: Penalties

Despite their success, the Commodores have been plagued by penalties, committing 15 infractions for 155 yards in their first two games. This is an area that Coach Lea knows they need to clean up in order to maintain their winning streak against tougher competition like Georgia State.

Georgia State’s Comeback Win and Season Outlook

Thrilling Win Over Chattanooga

Georgia State, led by first-year head coach Dell McGee, is coming off a thrilling 24-21 comeback victory over Chattanooga. The Panthers showed resilience after a season-opening loss, with running back Freddie Brock scoring the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter to cap off the comeback.

McGee, who faced Vanderbilt last season as Georgia’s running backs coach, was proud of his team’s perseverance:
“I really appreciate our guys fighting through, never giving in,” McGee said. “I think in the long run, we’re going to learn from this.”

Christian Veilleux Leading the Offense

Georgia State quarterback Christian Veilleux has been efficient this season, completing 45 of 72 passes for 448 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. The Panthers’ offensive line has been solid as well, allowing just one sack through two games, which bodes well as they prepare to face Vanderbilt’s defense.

On defense, linebacker Justin Abraham has been a standout, recording 17 tackles and two tackles for loss. Abraham left the field with an injury during the Chattanooga game but returned to make a critical third-down sack that helped seal the victory.

Ready to make your picks? Check out our latest NCAAF Picks and maximize your chances of winning

Key Matchup and What’s at Stake

First-Ever Meeting Between Vanderbilt and Georgia State

This will be the first-ever matchup between Vanderbilt and Georgia State, and both teams have plenty on the line. For Vanderbilt, a win would keep their unbeaten streak intact and continue to build momentum for what they hope will be a special season under Coach Lea. Georgia State, meanwhile, will be looking to pull off an upset at home and ride the momentum from their gritty win against Chattanooga.

Minimizing Mistakes

For Vanderbilt, reducing penalties will be critical in this matchup. Although they’ve been able to overcome mistakes so far, facing a tougher Georgia State team on the road means they can’t afford to give up unnecessary yards. On the other side, Georgia State will need to avoid turnovers and stay consistent on offense to compete with Vanderbilt’s dynamic attack.

With both teams looking to clean up their play and continue building momentum, this matchup promises to be an intriguing test for both programs.

As Vanderbilt travels to Atlanta to take on Georgia State, the Commodores are looking to extend their unbeaten streak and build on their early-season success. With Diego Pavia leading the offense and the defense playing at a high level, Vanderbilt is poised for another strong performance. However, Georgia State has shown resilience and will aim to capitalize on home-field advantage to pull off an upset. Both teams have plenty at stake, and the outcome could set the tone for the rest of their seasons.