Georgia Southern 2018 Betting Preview: Eagles Have Triple-Option Identity Back

Georgia Southern 2018 Betting Odds

• To win the National Title: +999999
• To win the Sun Belt: +1400
• To win the Sun Belt East: N/A
• Win Total: 5.5 (over -160, under +130)

All lines as of July 26. Always shop for the best line.

Georgia Southern 2018 Schedule, Betting Odds

The Action Network Projected Wins: 6.0

Bet To Watch

Georgia Southern Over 5.5 (-160)

Georgia Southern is proud of its reputation as a triple option school. This always gives opposing defensive coordinators issues in game planning and forces defenders to cover inside gaps and outside contain all at once. Head coach Tyson Summers was relieved of his duties after an 0-6 start last season; he had moved away from the triple option. That allowed Chad Lunsford to don the interim tag and get back to it. He's now the full-time head coach.

>> Follow Collin Wilson in The Action Network App to get free alerts on all his college football bets during the season.

Lunsford turned the Eagles around for 52-0 beat down of South Alabama and 34-24 win over ULL. Georgia Southern was an underdog in both games and put up at least 460 yards in both games. With the hiring of Bob DeBesse as offensive coordinator, expect more triple option out of the spread package in this 'new era' of Eagles football.

The defense will change from 4-3 to a 3-4, which should help against conference opponents who are getting chunk yards on the ground. Last year, the Eagles defense was 124th in rushing S&P, leaving plenty of room for improvement for an experienced bunch (third overall in returning production).

A schedule that sets up well could turn into a big season and a bowl game. In early games against South Carolina State and UMass, the Eagles can work on the new triple option formation while also fleshing out the switch to a 3-4.

>> Get a 7-day free trial to access all of our premium college football articles and exclusive betting data.

The big three of the Sun Belt (Arkansas State, Appalachian State, Troy) all visit Georgia Southern. Matchups with Texas State, ULM, Coastal and Georgia State are winnable road games. South Alabama has yet to beat Georgia Southern in four meetings.

Based upon last year's improvement from an 0-6 start (plenty of yards on offense, plenty of havoc on defense), we will go Georgia Southern Over 5.5 -160, getting the Eagles back to bowl eligibility.

More College Football Betting Previews

Click here for betting previews on all 130 teams.