Five Keys to Beating Georgia State – From the Bird’s Nest

You know now a team sometimes just has a team's number?  The Cajuns, for example, have Texas State's number.  Despite being bowl eligible for the last two years, the Bobcats haven't come close to beating the Cajuns.  Louisiana has dominated all three games.

The Cajuns' antithesis of that might be Georgia State.  The Cajuns have won both meetings, to be sure, but have struggled mightily against a Panthers' program that had never beaten an FBS opponent until this season.

The Panthers are better, and getting better every week.  If Louisiana is going to win, here are some things they'll have to do right.

1. GET AFTER ARBUCKLE--He's completing 64% of his passes.  If the Cajuns let him sit back and pick his spots, he'll do it and do it well.  They have to make Arbuckle uncomfortable.  They don't have to sack him every time or even hit him every time.  But they have to make their presence known, disrupt his footwork and get him to make some mistakes.

2.  PICK THE RIGHT POISON---One of the adjustments that will be made as the game goes is exactly how to accomplish #1.  If the Cajuns can do it with a four man rush, it works to their advantage, obviously.  That let's the linebackers help in coverage.  Georgia State is going to run some empty backfield and go five wide at times.  But, getting the pass rush to Arbuckle has to happen.  This means if the Cajuns have to bring a linebacker or two and leave everyone else in man coverage, it's what they need to do. Those are the times they need to get to the GSU quarterback.  If they fail, there will be big plays to be had for the Panthers.

3.  SUSTAIN DRIVES--Mark Hudspeth has been saying all week the best way to defend Arbuckle is to keep him on the sidelines.  That means the Cajuns have to play some ball control.  There will be big plays to be had, but the best scores are the ten-play, 75-yard drives that take five or six minutes off the clock.  Doesn't matter if it's through the air or on the ground.

4.  GET EM OUT OF THE BOX EARLY -- We know how teams are defending the Cajuns.  That's going to give some opportunities in the throwing game.  Regardless of who the quarterback is, it wouldn't be a bad idea to throw the football early and loosen up the defense.

5.  MAKE EM GET THREE--Look, Georgia State is going to score points.  That's a given.  But, they'll give up points as well.  The loser of this game kicks field goals instead of scoring touchdowns.  Lutz is a capable kicker.  Make him beat you.