Georgia State football opens the second stanza on Friday night at the Georgia Dome after a tumultuous off season, facing a fellow in-state team in Clark Atlanta University out of Division II.
Georgia State added talented transfers at defensive end in UConn transfer A.J. Portee and Kentucky transfer running back Donald Russell to a group that returns nearly every playmaker from 2010. The only true question mark is the right arm of Bo Schlechter, who served as the Panthers' punter and part time wide receiver last season and will have to serve as quarterback. 2010 starter Drew Little has been reinstated after a suspension but will not likely play according to coach Bill Curry. Kelton Hill will be serving a one game university imposed suspension.
Clark Atlanta returns nine starters on the defensive side of the ball, which was their strength in 2010. The questions remain at QB with T.J. Smith, who takes the reigns after attempting only 21 passes in 2010, and regarding what weapons exist on offense. Their defense is talented, and CAU's fan base believes this may their most talented team in many years.
Georgia State fans are expecting a one-sided affair with the Panthers boasting just too much size and speed on both sides of the ball. Clark Atlanta will not likely play in an atmosphere as big at any other point this year, and it could quickly overwhelm the team. Georgia State expects to break its one-year-old attendance record in a game that is being dubbed ‘The Battle of Atlanta.' Expect Georgia State to win big and Clark Atlanta to be overwhelmed by a much-improved Georgia State defense.