New Orleans – Heading into their 14th season, the 2023 Georgia State football team, coming off of a 4-8 season a year ago, has been picked 6th in the Sun Belt Conference eastern division pre-season poll voted on by the league’s coaches. James Madison is the favorite in the east followed by Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina, Marshall, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, and Old Dominion. Troy is the favorite in the west followed by South Alabama and Louisiana.
The only Panther to receive pre-season 1st team honors was veteran offensive lineman Travis Glover, a four-year starter, who has also been named to the East/West Shrine Bowl watch list. Four Panthers were named to the 2nd team all-SBC list; defensive lineman Javon Denis, linebackers Jordan Veneziale and Jontrey Hunter, and cornerback Bryquice Brown.
As Shawn Elliott begins his 7th season as head coach, his Panthers will open the season Thursday night, August 31 hosting the Rams of Rhode Island at Center Park Stadium in Atlanta. “It’s a huge season for us. There’s much anticipation, probably more than its ever been for myself and our football team. I just have a different feeling about it. There’s just something about this season, this group, and the last six months of what we’ve encountered with everything. I’m looking forward to it.”
2023 SUN BELT CONFERENCE FOOTBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL
East Division
1. James Madison – 78 Points (4)
2. App State – 75 Points (4)
3. Coastal Carolina – 71 Points (3)
4. Marshall – 68 Points (2)
5. Georgia Southern – 52 Points (1)
6. Georgia State – 31 Points
7. Old Dominion – 17 Points
West Division
1. Troy – 92 Points (10)
2. South Alabama – 85 Points (4)
3. Louisiana – 64 Points
4. Southern Miss – 62 Points
5. Texas State – 36 Points
6. Arkansas State – 33 Points
7. ULM – 20 Points