GATA Talk

In this bonus episode, Matt and Cody discuss some big news out of the transfer portal. Quarterback Max Johnson will play his final year of college football at Georgia Southern. The Eagles land the former UNC, Texas A&M and LSU QB after JC French entered the transfer portal and signed with Cincinnati.  Show Notes:  Is it a given that Max is the new starter? Outlook for the Georgia Southern QB room If healthy, Max is a big-time recruit for the Eagles What does Max Johnson bring to the Eagles?  Win now pressure for Clay Helton Winning should be top priority for incoming transfers

Your favorite Georgia Southern football podcast is back for Season 4! And buckle up, Eagle Nation, because it's a long one. Matt and Cody discuss everything from basketball (as promised) to FCS spring football to a clearer QB competition coming out of spring camp.  Show Notes:  Life News: Baby No. 3 for Cody and Matt Moving Out West Men's and Women's Basketball Season Recaps  FCS Spring Football: The Lack of Attention Is Warranted  Georgia Southern Spring Camp and Spring Game Recap No James Graham for Much of Camp: Is It Tomlin's Time? Is There a Waffle House in Colorado?  Preseason Predictions: What to Respect and What to Dismiss  Schedule Is Brutal and the Sun Belt Is Only Getting Better  Question Marks Outside of QB Going Into 2021 GS Is Finding Success Outside of Football

GATA Talk is back for Season 3. As usual, we jumped the gun on recording, so Part 1 of of our two-part season preview doesn't mention the fact that Georgia Southern has a new athletic director in Jared Benko. We'll cover that exciting news in a bonus episode soon, but in our season premiere we discuss the hiring of Doug Ruse as our tight ends coach, recap the 2019 season and break down the recruiting period, including snagging the nation's leading rusher in high school.  Show Notes:  Doug Ruse Returns: More In Store Than Just TE Coach?  Tying a Bow on 2019: Cure Bowl and the Season of Adversity Recruiting: O-line, QBs and the Nation's Leading Rusher Part 2 Coming Soon, Along with Jared Benko Bonus Episode

In our Season 8 finale, we recap Georgia Southern's win in the Birmingham Bowl against App State, react to a slew of Eagles entering the transfer portal, debate the QB situation going into 2026 and recap coaching changes. It's a loaded episode, one of our longest yet, and last one (most likely) until the Spring Game. Show Notes:  Eagles Beat App State for Second Time in 2025 Defense Was Bend and Don't Break Offense Left a Lot of Points off the Board Does This Win Change the Perception of the Season? Transfer Portal: Entire O-line and JC French Gone QB Situation: Turner Helton, Weston Bryan or Transfer? Defensive Departures and Needs Coaching Changes and Mutz's Staff JMU Held Their Own Against Oregon Future of Bowl Games

Georgia Southern has hired Mike Mutz as the new defensive coordinator. The news broke after we recorded, but Matt gives his instant reaction at the top of the show. The rest of this super-sized episode previews the Birmingham Bowl matchup against App State and features an in-depth discussion about the current state of college football and the Group of 5/6's place in the FBS and the College Football Playoff.  Show Notes:  Instant Reaction: Mutz Hired as DC  Birmingham Bowl Most Prestigious Yet for Georgia Southern App State Preview Part 2 Breaking Down the Bowl Selection Process App State Pairing Could be Worst Case Scenario for Helton State of College Football Deep Dive Is JMU Making the CFP Good or Bad Long Term? Thoughts on a Potential G5/6 Playoff Ideal Scenarios for Reformed Post-Season Play

The regular season has come to a close and Georgia Southern somehow made a bowl game, finishing 6-6 overall and 4-4 in Sun Belt play after the Eagles' first win at Marshall in 35 years. The following day, news broke that Defensive Coordinator Brandon Bailey was relieved of his duties, in what appears to be a complete overhaul of the Georgia Southern defense headed into 2026. In this episode, Matt and Cody discuss the firing, preferences for our next defensive coordinator and discuss the upcoming bowl game.  Show Notes:  Eagles Beat Marshall for First Time in 35 Years Bailey and LB Coach Fired: More Changes to Come?  What Helton Needs to Prioritize in a DC  Camden Brown Caps Off Record Regular Season  Brown Should be the Case Study for P4 Wideouts Weston Bryan's Future with the Eagles Offense Bowl Game: Does It Matter and Is a Win Possible? Eagles Must Elevate Above Mediocrity

Old Dominion handed Georgia Southern its worst home loss in program history on Senior Night, a 45-10 drubbing where the Eagles didn't score a touchdown until garbage time and had negative rushing yards at the half. The Eagles now cling to the hope of bowl eligibility by trying to win at Marshall for the first time since 1990.  Show Notes:  Comparing ODU Loss to the Georgia State Loss Under Fritz If Changes Don't Happen After Marshall, It's Time to Revolt Offensive Overhaul May be Needed as Well  Fans Are in Two Boats: Apathetic or Furious  What DC Worth Their Salt Would Sign Up for this Circus? Bowl Eligibility Is On the Line at Marshall Thundering Herd in Similar Position After Loss Against App

OJ Arnold has one of the best performances from a Georgia Southern player in recent memory with nearly 400 yards of total offense and touchdowns running, passing and receiving to lead the Eagles to a 45-40 shootout win against Coastal Carolina. Now 5-5 on the year and 3-3 in the Sun Belt, Georgia Southern hosts Old Dominion for Senior Night. Can the Eagles find a way to slow down ODU's rushing attack and score points against one of the best defense in the conference?  Show Notes:  Have Yourself a Day, OJ Arnold! Camden Brown Snags Three More Touchdowns Clock Management at the End of the First Half Defense Had Its Moments, but Still Allowed 480 Yards Freedom II Reveal and Thoughts  Crowd Review: Thin and Cleared Out in Third Quarter  ODU Preview: Monarchs Are Rolling as of Late Eagles Will Need to Play Near Perfect and Hope for ODU Mistakes Can the Eagles Make a Bowl, and Does It Ultimately Matter?

Georgia Southern got a big win on the road against App State. While it always feels great to beat your rival, the question remains: was this a good win or is App State that bad? Matt and Cody reflect on the game and preview the home matchup against Coastal Carolina. Show Notes:  Always a Great Day to Beat App Eagles Still Haven't Played a Complete Game Redzone Offense Becoming an Issue Defense Still Allowed Over 400 Yards After Hot Start Coastal Carolina Has Been an Up and Down Team Coastal Is a One-Man Show on Offense Key to Victory Will be Efficiency and Consistency on Offense

Georgia Southern heads up to Boone, North Carolina to take on rival App State on a Thursday night, nationally televised game. The Eagles are searching for answers after a letdown on the road against Arkansas State, where Georgia Southern's defense gave up nearly 500 yards and the offense could only muster three points in the second half. Now, following the dreaded bye week, the Eagles must face a 4-4 App State team in one of the toughest venues in the Sun Belt Conference.  Show Notes:  Sad State of the Program: How Did We Get Here? Is Strength and Conditioning to Blame for Any of This? Will a Coordinator Change at Season's End Be Enough? What Will It Take to Move on from Helton After This Season? Budget Insights: Can We Afford the Buyout After All? Monken Rumor: Army's Coach Interested in a Return to the Boro Arkansas State Letdown: Poor Play-Calling and Clock Management App State Preview: Mountaineers Trying to Find a QB1 Eagles Will Need Consistent Offense for Four Quarters to Win

Georgia Southern gets its first Sun Belt Conference win of the season thanks to a dominate second half against in-state rival Georgia State. Now, the Eagles must find a way to win a conference game on the road as they head to Jonesboro to face Arkansas State. Show Notes: Tale of Two Halves Against Georgia State Will the Eagles Every Play a Complete Game?  Defense Gives Up 444 Yards in a Blowout Win JC French Had His Best Game of the Year Arkansas State: Mirror Image of the West Eagles Struggle on the Road While Red Wolves Thrive Arkansas State's Offensive Woes Could Benefit Eagles Defense

Georgia Southern falls to 2-4 overall and 0-2 in Sun Belt Conference play as the Eagles failed to overcome a horrendous first half against Southern Miss at home on a Thursday night, nationally televised game. Now, the Eagles are desperate for a win as they host in-state Rival Georgia State, who will be looking for it's first win of the season against an FBS opponent.  Show Notes: Horrible First Half Dooms Eagles Against Southern Miss Have We Played Even a Complete Half of Football? French Admits to Lacking Confidence; Mindset Can't Continue  Helton Needs to Look in Mirror and Accept Accountability  Everything Looks Hard for the Eagles Offense Georgia State Heads to Statesboro Struggling  This Is a Must-Win for the Eagles for Many Reasons

It's our first emergency podcast of the season! On the morning of Oct. 1, an anonymous X (Twitter) account called hailsouthern365 sent us and a few other a Google Drive link that contains what appears to be present and past Georgia southern football contracts. It's a treasure trove, Eagle Nation. From the expired contracts of Jeff Monken and Willie Fritz to the current deals of Head Coach Clay Helton and his coordinators and assistants, this leak sheds light on a lot of things. Please note: The X account has revealed himself, and noted that the files were obtained through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. Show Notes: Helton's Five-Year Extension Has Occurred EVERY Year  Buyout Over $3M and Doesn't Drop Under a Million Until After 2028 Aplin and Bailey Guaranteed Through 2026  Several Assistants Guaranteed Through Next Season Poor Performance Doesn't Count for 'For Cause' Termination Database Includes Contracts of Monken, Fritz and Others Where Do We Go From Here?  Listener Question: Evaluation of the Program After a Decade in FBS

Georgia Southern dropped its Sun Belt Conference opener to James Madison 35-10 in a game that was never close and was never competitive. Now, the Eagles head into their dreaded bye week, where they are just 1-6 in the Clay Helton era, before hosting a surging Southern Miss team in a Thursday night affair on Oct. 9.    Show Notes: JMU Result Not Surprising: Sign of More to Come?  Offensive and Defensive Lines Were Dominated  Defense Remains Dreadful, But Offense Not Much Better  The Dreaded Bye Week, Where Eagles Are 1-6 Under Helton Southern Miss Preview: Huff and Braxton Seeking Revenge East Title Seems Out of Question, Is a Bowl Even Likely? 

After a rough start, Georgia Southern got things rolling to defeat FCS opponent Maine 45-17 to finish out-of-conference play at 2-2. Now, the season truly begins, as the Eagles head up to Virginia to face James Madison, the preseason favorite to win the Sun Belt East.    Show Notes: Rough First Quarter Against Maine  New Secondary Sponsor in Section 103!  Eagles Need to Pull Out a Complete Game Against JMU  Weston Bryan Continues to Shine, Will Play Rest of Season JC French Doing Enough to Win, Turnovers Unfortunate  Dalen Cobb Was a Few Plays Away from Record Day  JMU Preview: Dukes Only Allowing 17 PPG Eagles Must Slow Down JMU Rushing Attack  GS Needs Clean Sheet and Forced Turnovers  Sun Belt Preview 2.0: Who's the Favorites After Four Weeks? 

Georgia Southern gets its first win of the season in its first home game of the year, beating Jax State 41-34. The defense struggled, but showed some grit and fight in the second half. The offense was balanced and efficient, and the Eagles' special teams looks to be the most improved unit so far on the young season. Matt and Cody discuss all of this, and preview the Maine Black Bears.    Show Notes: Paulson Crowd and Atmosphere Was ELECTRIC!  Defense Struggled Early but Showed Fight Late Eagles Defense Still Historically Bad, Statistically Speaking Special Teams Shines, from Kicking to Cobb's Return Offense Was Balanced and Efficient  Weston Bryan Needs More Touches  Previewing Maine: Struggling Black Bears Head to Paulson Need to Get Up Early, Fine Tune Defense, and Play Younger Players First Home Game Reviews: Freedom Statue, Concessions, Vibes

Georgia Southern ends its forgettable, season-opening road trip in California 0-2 after a record-setting loss to USC. The Eagles gave up 755 yards to the Trojans, the most in program history. After giving up over 100 points and 1,300 yards through two games, the Eagles are desperate for answers — and a win — to overcome its woes. Enter Jax State, the reigning Conference USA champions, who are coming off a big win against Liberty where then rushed for 338 yards on 50 carries. Will Georgia Southern channel the Power of Paulson to get its first win, or will the defense crumble yet again as the Eagles fall to 0-3?   Show Notes: USC Has Record Day on Offense  Boneheaded Play Calling Continues  Defense Is What It Is: We Must Outscore to Win  Bright Spots: Camden Brown and Weston Bryan  Why Are We Not Trusting Our Kicker? Jax State Presents Recipe for Disaster for the Eagles Resetting Expectations: What's Realistic After an 0-2 Start?  

Georgia Southern started the 2025 college football season with a disappointing 42-14 loss at Fresno State. Instead of previewing Game 2 against USC, which now looks to be an inevitable loss, Matt and Cody unpack what exactly happened in the Valley last Saturday against the Bulldogs, including what might be fixable and what remains as major concerns for the rest of the season for the Eagles.   Show Notes: We Looked Awful in All Three Phases Defense Had No Adjustments for Fresno's Running Game Special Teams Is a Major Issue Moving Forward Lack of Accountability by Clay Helton  We Won't Win Another Game Playing Like That USC Loss Is Almost a Formality Season Now Starts at Home Against Jax State Is It Possible the Eagles Were Looking Ahead to USC?

It's officially game week, Eagle Nation! Georgia Southern's first opponent of the 2025 college football season already has one game under its belt, as the Fresno State Bulldogs fell to the Kansas Jayhawks 31-7 in Week 0. Matt and Cody break down that game and predict how the Eagles may fair against Fresno State when they take them on in the San Joaquin Valley. Show Notes: Fresno State Was No Match for Kansas EJ Warner Looks Average at Best After Scripted Plays  Bulldogs Don't Seem to Have Many Proven Play-Makers  Defense is Fairly Fast and Likes to Send Pressure Fresno States Special Teams Unit Looks Rough  Can We, Should We and Will We Beat Fresno State?  This Game and Every Game Is Ultimately About Us

Part 2 of our 2025 Georgia Southern football preview is here, and it's the episode many of you have been waiting for, as we discuss expectations for the season ahead. Matt and Cody break down the schedule, discuss key matchups, and outline what success looks like in 2025.  Show Notes: Breaking Down the 2025 Schedule  We'll Get an Early Look at Fresno State We Can Play USC with Reckless Abandon  Jax State a Possible Trap Game in Out-of-Conference Play Is the Season Already Over If We Lose to James Madison? No More Excuses: Byes, Mid-Weeks, Playing Down to Opponents Is It Conference Title of Bust? East or Bust? Our Biggest Challenge in 2025 Is Ourselves