My oh my...The Panthers Football program may still be struggling to find any semblance of success, but you certainly have to say their current moniker is much more improved than their original logo (if you can't tell which is which then you obviously fail at life).
But logos certainly don't win football games, and neither does the Georgia State Panthers. Since their inception in 2010, GSU hasn't won more games than six (as an FCS Independent) and haven't won more than two games since 2012. In fact, they've yet to win a SINGLE SBC conference game. When you start a football program from scratch (and when you also consider how relatively fast GSU moved up among the ranks in collegiate football) you would certainly expect some growing pains. However, last season was supposed to the year of vast improvement for the Panthers; returning young talent with a year of experience under their belts (including outstanding QB Nick Arbuckle...who's also coming back), Panther faithful were hoping to not only break the losing streak, but to see some substantial improvement. Perhaps having to rally in the 4th quarter down nearly three possessions to beat Abilene Christian by one at home should've been a sign. It was very obvious by late October, early November this Georgia State squad had virtually given up on the season, losing their last five games of the season by an average of nearly 32 points a game.
Now going into 2015 and Georgia State appears to be right where they were last year; a lot of raw, young yet talented players returning (in fact they're 10th in the country in terms of returning players) but still branded with a murky, uneasy outlook on the '15 season.
Also returning is bewildered coach Trent Miles.
Miles, who had turned around a very bad Indiana State program into consistent competitors prior to becoming GSU's head man, has struggled mightily in Atlanta. Granted, the argument can be made that turning perennial losers into winners at the FCS level compared to the FBS level is a night and day situations. But in this day of college football, job security is constantly fluctuating, and losing streaks don't help. For Miles, you would have to think (for GSU fans hope) that he and his staff are in desperation mode to show any sign of life.
SCHEDULE:
| Friday Sept. 4 |  | Charlotte 49ers Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA | TBA | --- |
| Saturday Sep. 12 |  | at New Mexico State Aggies Aggie Memorial Stadium, Las Cruces, NM | TBA | --- |
| Saturday Sep. 19 |  | at Oregon Ducks Autzen Stadium, Eugene, OR | TBA | Buy Tickets |
| Saturday Sep. 26 | --- | Open Date | --- | --- |
| Saturday Oct. 3 |  | Liberty Flames (HC) Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA | TBA | --- |
| Saturday Oct. 10 |  | Appalachian State Mountaineers Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA | TBA | --- |
| Saturday Oct. 17 |  | at Ball State Cardinals Scheumann Stadium, Muncie, IN | TBA | --- |
| Saturday Oct. 24 | --- | Open Date | --- | --- |
| Saturday Oct. 31 |  | at Arkansas State Red Wolves Centennial Bank Stadium, Jonesboro, AR | TBA | --- |
| Saturday Nov. 7 |  | Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA | TBA | --- |
| Saturday Nov. 14 |  | at Texas State Bobcats Bobcat Stadium, San Marcos, TX | TBA | --- |
| Saturday Nov. 21 |  | South Alabama Jaguars Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA | TBA | --- |
| Friday Nov. 27 |  | Troy Trojans Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA | TBA | --- |
| Saturday Dec. 5 |  | at Georgia Southern Eagles Paulson Stadium, Statesboro, GA |
Taking the trip to the Autzen zoo out of the equation, this is a pretty sweet schedule. Getting CUSA newcomer Charlotte to start the season will definitely be a measuring stick to show whether the Panthers have improved any during the offseason and fall camp; Liberty shouldn't be taken lightly (ask App State), and traveling up to Muncie to take on Ball State will once again be another measuring stick game, this time to test their mid season form. SBC wise it's not a bad draw, with perhaps the toughest road trips being to Jonesboro and bitter instate rivals, Georgia Southern. Make no mistake for a still growing program like Georgia State, this could turn into a daunting schedule, but you would have to think being in their home state four out of their last five games, along with TWO BYES should prove to be positive aspects.
Nick Arbuckle was the shining star of an otherwise dull 2014 season; the junior transfer from California threw for over 3,000 yards and accumulated 23 touchdowns. You can bet that for the Panthers to have a relative successful '15 season, Arbuckle is going to have to continue to play lights out (also limiting his interceptions would probably help as well). But it's going to take an entire team effort; many times it felt that the young QB was trying to do it all by himself with almost little no help around him.
OUTLOOK:
Here's my problem; like I mentioned earlier, I'm having deja'vu. The Panthers had quite a bit returning back with the expectations of making some impact in conference play; Same outlook leading into 2012 and 2013 seasons... we all know how that turned out. And, just when you think the Panthers can't get any lower, they some how find a way to dig the losing hole deeper. The schedule is set up rather nicely...if you're any other SBC team. I can't help but feel the talent pool is still needing time to really develop and I'm just not sure if Miles is the guy to get the Georgia State program to the next level.
DREAM SEASON: Panthers win 2 out of 4 OOC games, and are able to score their first win(s) in Sunbelt Conference play.
NIGHTMARE SEASON: Panthers go 0-12 and Trent Miles is looking for an assistant coaching job.
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