by Rod Pearson
Wednesday, Dec 20, 2023
Game Time: 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, December 23, 2023
Venue: Albertsons Stadium, Boise, ID
Where to Watch: ESPN
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: GSU +3, USU -3; Over/Under: 62 points
Bet365: Point Spread: GSU +3, USU -3; Over/Under: 62 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: GSU +3, USU -3; Over/Under: 62.5 points
Season Record
Georgia State Panthers: 6-6 (3-5) (5th place, SBC East)
Utah State Aggies: 6-6 (4-4) (7th place, MWC)
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Recent Form
Georgia State Panthers: lost their last game on the road against the Old Dominion Monarchs 25-24.
Utah State Aggies: won their last game on the road against the New Mexico Lobos in overtime 44-41.
Georgia State Panthers vs Utah State Aggies Preview and Analysis
Georgia State is entering this game with a 6-6 record overall and they have a 3-5 record in their conference games too. They are 3-3 in their home games, 3-3 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at a neutral site for this game. They lost their last game against Old Dominion 25-24. Darren Grainger was the starting QB and he completed 26/36 passes for 203 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. Marcus Carroll led the team in rushing yards with 57. Robert Lewis led the receivers with 91 receiving yards on 9 receptions. Cody Jones led the defense in that game with 5 solo tackles and 6 assisted tackles while Henry Bryant led the defense in sacks with 2. Gavin Pringle came away with the only interception for them in that game.
Utah State is entering this game with a 6-6 record overall and they have a 4-4 record in their conference games too. They are 3-3 in their home games, 3-3 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at a neutral site for this game. They won their last game against New Mexico 44-41 in OT. Levi Williams was the starting QB and he completed 16/27 passes for 198 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Levi Williams led the team in rushing yards with 153 and 3 TDs. Jalen Royals led the receivers with 89 receiving yards on 7 receptions and 2 TDs. Ike Larsen led the defense in that game with 5 solo tackles and 5 assisted tackles while Blaine Spires led the defense in sacks with 2. No one on the defense came away with an interception for them in that game.
Georgia State vs Utah State Prediction
The current betting odds have Utah State listed as a 3 point favorite in this Famous Idaho Potato Bowl game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Utah State hasn't looked great in their games this season but they finished with a 6-6 record overall and needed to win their final game of the season just to get here. Meanwhile, Georgia State also finished with a 6-6 record this season and hasn't looked great in their games lately, losing their last game of the regular season by 1 point. Georgia State was a much better team at the beginning of the year in their non-conference games but they haven't looked as good lately and now have a lot of key players in the transfer portal too. Utah State fought really hard to the end of the season just to get here and even though Levi Williams will be the starting QB, he looked pretty good in their win against New Mexico to get them here and they will have the momentum on their side coming into this one. The best way to place a bet here is on Utah State to cover the spread in this game.
Georgia State Utah State Prediction: Our NCAAF Pick for Saturday, December 23, 2023 (3:30 pm ET start time) is Utah State 38 Georgia State 31.
Don't miss our champion handicappers free picks and expert football picks today. And if you enjoyed this Georgia State Panthers Utah State Aggies prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our weekly NCAAF predictions and previews.
NCAAF Betting Trends
Georgia State Panthers: 19-10 ATS when the line is +3 to -3. 13-4 ATS off 1 or more consecutive unders. 11-6 ATS after a loss by 6 or less points. 7-2 UNDER when the total is between 56.5 and 63. 10-5 UNDER after playing their last game on the road.
Utah State Aggies: 20-30 ATS when the line is +3 to -3. 7-17 ATS after allowing 300 or more rushing yards last game. 9-2 UNDER in a bowl game. 15-8 UNDER after playing a game where 80 total points or more were scored.
Key Injuries
Georgia State Panthers: M. Carroll (RB) Ques Sat - Undisclosed. J. Credle (WR) Ques Sat - Undisclosed. K. Byrd (TE) Out indefinitely - Undisclosed.
Utah State Aggies: C. Legas (QB) Out Sat - Shoulder. M. Davis (WR) out for season - Foot. A. Dickerson (CB) Out Sat - Undisclosed. A. Switzer (S) Out Sat - Undisclosed. B. Lane (TE) Out Sat - Undisclosed. M. Hillstead (QB) Ques Sat - Ankle. R. Briggs Jr. (RB) Ques Sat - Undisclosed.
Notable Quotes
"This is an opportunity for our football team to finish this season the right way. We appreciate the chance to play one more game, and we're looking forward to traveling to Boise, Idaho, and the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl for what will be a really unique experience for our football team. I'm thrilled to death. To be able to take our players to a part of the country they've never been to and experience things they've never experienced is exciting. That's what these bowl games are about." - Shawn Elliott on his team playing in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
“It’s big. You win the last game of the year it just carries over into the offseason. It is the first game of next season in a lot of ways.” - Blake Anderson on his team playing in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
Starting Lineups
Georgia State Panthers
WR Kikwata, Peter
WR Thompson, Cadarrius
WR Williams, Tailique
TE Green, Ahmon
QB Grainger, Darren
RB Brock, Freddie
Utah State Aggies
WR Royals, Jalen
WR Bowman, Colby
WR Vaughn, Terrell
TE Sterzer, Josh
QB Williams, Levi
RB Booth, Davon
Statistical Leaders
Georgia State Panthers
Passing: D. Grainger (2368)
Rushing: M. Carroll (1350)
Receiving: R. Lewis (881)
Touchdowns: M. Carroll (13)
Utah State Aggies
Passing: C. Legas (1815)
Rushing: D. Booth (734)
Receiving: J. Royals (1023)
Touchdowns: J. Royals (14)
Coaches:
Georgia State Panthers: Shawn Elliott (7th season)
Utah State Aggies: Blake Anderson (3rd season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
