Youth, tough slate may limit Panthers

Georgia State coach Shawn Elliott led the Panthers to their first bowl win during his debut season in Atlanta. However, the Panthers lost key players and will be relying on numerous underclassmen in the season ahead.

As a result, Georgia State is ranked No. 104 in Orlando Sentinel college insider Matt Murschel’s preseason 2018 college football rankings. Murschel ranked all 129 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in the country. The Sentinel staff takes a closer look at a new team daily, counting backward from No. 129 to our projected No. 1 team.

State Georgia

Shawn Elliott (7-5, entering second season; 8-10 overall)

7-5, 5-3 Sun Belt, 4th in Sun Belt

Georgia State fired struggling coach Trent Miles after a 3-9 2016 season and hired South Carolina assistant coach Shawn Elliott. He helped Georgia State win six of its first nine games and brush off another contest that was canceled due to a hurricane. The team got a confidence boost with a 21-17 road win over rival Georgia Southern and closed the season with a historic 27-17 win over Western Kentucky in the Cure Bowl. 4 6

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MIAMI HURRICANES FOOTBALL in

QB Conner Manning, OL Sebastian Willer, DL Mackendy Cherido, DL Julien Laurent WR Penny Hart, OL Hunter Atkinson, OL Shamarious Gilmore, LB Victor Heyward, LB Michael Shaw, DE Marterious Allen

Dynamic playmaker Penny Hart headlines a talented widereceiver unit. Hart enters the 2018 season ranked first nationally in career receiving yards (2,281) and touchdown receptions (17).

While the defense loses six starters, linebackers Victor Heyward and Michael Shaw and defensive end Marterious Allen are among the top returning players to watch.

Elliott is searching for a new quarterback. Jaquez Parks, Jack Walker, Aaron Winchester and Dan Ellington all are expected to keep competing for the job during the offseason. Ellington, who passed for 3,211 yards and 27 touchdowns at Itawamba Community College in 2017, may be the best fit.

With the passing attack still developing, you might expect Georgia State to lean on its run game. The Panthers don’t have that luxury, ranking No. 113 nationally last season in rushing offense (117.3 yards per game).

Elliott has recruited well, but lack of experience at key spots, big holes on offense and a relatively tough schedule could lead to a losing season.