Coming down the home stretch and, for the first time this year, there are five Saturday conference games on tap.  Just about all of them have bowl eligibility or division implications.

Here's a look at this week's games.

ULM (4-5, 3-2) (+7) at GEORGIA SOUTHERN (5-4, 3-2) 2:00 pm--This is a big one for both teams.  The Eagles still have Arkansas State and Georgia State on their schedule, while ULM has Coastal and the Cajuns.  Georgia Southern's division title hopes took a big blow last week and now they're fighting to get to six wins.  ULM stays in the west division race with a win.  ULM is the underdog but Georgia Southern's defense will be tested by Caleb Adams and Josh Johnson.

COASTAL CAROLINA (4-5, 1-4) (+12') at ARKANSAS STATE (5-4, 3-2) 2:00 pm--The Red Wolves had a badly needed week off last week.  Despite more injuries than any team should have in one season, they sit just one game away from being bowl eligible.  Coastal got hammered by Louisiana last week and they'll be facing another team capable of putting up a lot of points.  The good news for the Chants?  Arkansas State's defense isn't Louisiana's.

TROY (4-5, 2-3) (-7') at TEXAS STATE (3-6, 2-3) 2:00 pm--Troy's offense came alive in a big way last week against Georgia Southern and their bowl hopes are still alive.  But with Louisiana and App State left on the schedule, the Trojans have to take care of their business here against a Texas State defense that has, overall, played well.  Tyler Vitt had a big week last week and he'll have to do it again for the Bobcats to have a shot at the upset...because Troy is going to score points.

LOUISIANA (7-2, 4-1) (-28) at SOUTH ALABAMA (1-8, 0-5) 4:00 pm --The Cajuns go for their fourth straight win and are heavy favorites to get that done.  Louisiana's defense allowed a late touchdown against Coastal Carolina and that's the only one the Cajuns have given up in their last two games.  South Alabama's offense got a boost with a change at quarterback last week but still came up short.  That offense gets a real test on Saturday.

#25 APPALACHIAN STATE (8-1, 4-1) (-16') at GEORGIA STATE (6-3, 3-2) 6:30 pm ESPN2--Another great win for the Mountaineers last week, knocking off their second P5 opponent.  This game had all the makings of a Sun Belt Showdown until Georgia State quarterback Dan Ellington went down with a leg injury last week against ULM.  No one depends on their quarterback like the Panthers, as Ellington was such a threat both running and passing.  Georgia State has been one of the best rushing teams in the conference, but App State won't be nearly as worried about the passing game as they would if Ellington were healthy.  Panthers need to hope App is still celebrating last week's win.

 

 

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