The Vanderbilt football team is on the road for the first time this season and will face Georgia State in Atlanta on Saturday.
The Panthers (1-1) have a win over Chattanooga and a loss to Georgia Tech. They play at Center Parc Stadium, formerly known as Turner Field. The Atlanta Braves played there from 1997 to 2016.
Vanderbilt (2-0) has wins over Virginia Tech and Alcorn State, both at home.
The Commodores are relatively fit for the match. The most likely absentee is pass rusher Khordae Sydnor, who is struggling with an ankle injury. Although he will travel to Atlanta, it is unlikely that he will play, according to coach Clark Lea.
Here are three things you should know about the duel:
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Georgia State had a coaching change during spring training
Former Georgia State coach Shawn Elliott left the program during spring practice to become tight ends coach at South Carolina. He was replaced by Dell McGee, Georgia’s former running backs coach.
Between the spring and fall windows, the Panthers lost 37 players to the portal. Most of them went to other Group of 5 or FCS schools, but some ended up in the Power 4 and at SEC programs.
Vanderbilt vs Georgia State football history
Vanderbilt has never played Georgia State. The Panthers are one of three new opponents for the Commodores this season, the others being Ball State and Alcorn State.
Vanderbilt Football expected to start 3-0
Vanderbilt started 2-0 in each of the last two seasons but failed to win the third game. The 2022 season ended 5-7 and the 2023 season ended 2-10.
The Commodores last started 3-0 in 2017. That year, Vanderbilt defeated Middle Tennessee, Alabama A&M and Kansas State in the first three games of the season. The Commodores finished the year 5-7.
Score prediction for Vanderbilt vs Georgia State
Vanderbilt 33, Georgia State 14: The predicted rain could complicate things, but Vanderbilt has played well and is more talented than the Panthers.
Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Reach her at [email protected] or via X, formerly Twitter. @aria_gerson.
