We're back for episode 2 of Season 8 of GATA Talk. In this one, we go in-depth with the Georgia Southern football roster, breaking down offense, defense and special teams. Who are the returning stars? What about possible breakouts? And can't forget the key transfers. Matt and Cody discuss all of this and more in this episode. Show Notes: Yes, There Was an Autotune Issue in Episode 1 New Sponsor Is Our Old Sponsor - KnKut Tools! Defense Preview: D-Line and Backfield a Strength Special Teams Previ...
Aug 13, 2025•1 hr 55 min•Ep. 147
GATA Talk is back for its eighth season! Matt and Cody recap a relatively quiet offseason for the Georgia Southern football program. The guys pay tribute to Freedom and two other tragedies within Eagle Nation, and talk conference realignment with the soon departure of Texas State and the addition of Louisiana Tech. Show Notes: GATA Talk Is Now on YouTube! In Memoriam: Tay McKibbins, Quin Williams and Freedom Texas State: Big Loss or No? Is La Tech Joining Really That Bad? Future Conference Addit...
Jul 24, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 146
The Eagles are headed to Louisiana for the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl on Dec. 19 against Sam Houston. Matt and Cody preview the matchup, warn fans to not underestimate the Bearcats, recap the Sun Belt Conference coaching carousel and bring back a fan favorite — Fun Facts!!! Show Notes: Thoughts on New Orleans Bowl Selection Getting to Know the Sam Houston Bearkats Bearkats Have Solid Defense and Tricky Offense Coaching Change Sends More Than a Dozen to the Portal App State Has Very Underwhelm...
Dec 12, 2024•1 hr 41 min•Ep. 145
It was a bitter-sweet final Saturday of the 2024 regular season for Georgia Southern as the Eagles beat arch rival App State but came up a play short of winning the Sun Belt East as Marshall beat James Madison in double overtime. Matt and Cody recap the App State win and breakdown the 8-4 regular season. Were expectations met? Where do we go from here? Are changes of any kind warranted? Show Notes: App State Game Was as Strange as Ever Crowd Was Electric and Single Season Attendance Record Set H...
Dec 03, 2024•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 144
It's officially Hate Week, and there's so much more on the line than simply bragging rights. Georgia Southern is still very much in the Sun Belt East race going into the final game of the regular season against App State, needing a win and a Marshall loss to book a spot in the conference championship game. Matt and Cody discuss the lopsided win at Coastal Carolina, what needs to improve to beat App and win a title, and cover all of the postseason scenarios for the Eagles. Show Notes: It All Come...
Nov 26, 2024•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 143
Following a disappointing loss to Troy in Paulson, Georgia Southern finds itself desperate for a win to stay in the Sun Belt East race. To make matters worse, the program finds itself in the middle of drama, with underwhelming reactions from head coach Clay Helton, ensuing backlash from fans and another departure of a prominent player in Issac Walker. Show Notes: The Troy Game Was NOT 'NFL-like' Response from Helton More Upsetting Than the Loss Play-calling Against Troy Was Atrocious Coordinator...
Nov 20, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 142
Georgia Southern comes out of the bye week in the driver's seat of the Sun Belt East, but they will host Troy this Saturday without their backup quarterback. Matt and Cody discuss the abrupt departure of Dexter Williams II and what it may mean for the remainder of the season. The guys also preview a Troy team that is finding their identity thanks to a strong running game and a familiar face in the backfield. Show Notes: Dexter Williams Is Gone: Instant Reaction Who Is to Blame for This? Eagles D...
Nov 13, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 141
Georgia Southern becomes bowl eligible and moves solely into first place in the Sun Belt East after a come-from-behind victory on the road, in November, against South Alabama. Matt and Cody discuss the much needed win and the outlook for the rest of the season as well as the recent athletic director change from Jared Benko to Chris Davis. Show Notes: Cardiac Eagles Strike Again Total Team Effort in Fourth Quarter Unlike Marshall, Both QBs Were Key in Win JC French Played Safe, But Made the Plays...
Nov 05, 2024•1 hr 29 min•Ep. 140
After an embarrassing loss on the road against Old Dominion, Georgia Southern heads to Mobile, Alabama, to try and get back on track and do what they have been unable to do in the Clay Helton era — win a meaningful conference road game in November. In what Matt and Cody consider a must-win game against South Alabama, will the Eagles show up ready to compete in Mobile, or will it be another disappointing outcome in a stadium outside of the state of Georgia? Show Notes: Eagles Showed Up 'Black Out...
Oct 29, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 139
Georgia Southern moves into the driver's seat of the Sun Belt East race after a huge home win against James Madison. Now, the Eagles turn their attention to Old Dominion on a short week up in Norfolk, Virginia. Show Notes: Winning Despite Four Turnovers Is Telling Defense Delivers Excellent Performance Against JMU Offense Did Enough, And French Played Well Power of Paulson Frazzled the Dukes Eagles Have Target on Their Back and Will Get the Best of Everyone ODU Is Similar to Nevada Both on Offen...
Oct 21, 2024•54 min•Ep. 138
It was one for the ages as Georgia Southern mounted a historic comeback victory against Marshall 24-23 at Paulson Stadium last Saturday. Now the Eagles have to quickly turn their attention to a James Madison team headed to Statesboro for what looks to be the East Division Championship game in the Sun Belt Conference. Matt and Cody put the comeback win into perspective, discuss the play of Dexter Williams II, blast the officiating and preview what seems to be the toughest conference test on the s...
Oct 15, 2024•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 137
After taking a week off for the Georgia Southern bye week and the aftermath of hurricane Helene, GATA Talk is back to get you ready for a huge White Out game at Paulson Stadium against Marshall! Matt and Cody discuss all the great things they witnessed in the Eagles win against Georgia State and break down what will need to happen to improve to 2-0 in conference play as the Thundering Herd head to Statesboro. Show Notes: Hurricane Helene: Donate What You Can; Many Are Still Hurting Defense Look ...
Oct 08, 2024•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 136
Eagle Nation, it's been a long time coming! After a week of online controversy leading into rivalry week versus Georgia State, the Panthers biggest advocate and personality accepted an open invite to come on GATA Talk. Ben Moore of 247 Sports and PantherTalk.com discusses the major differences between Georgia Southern and Georgia State, the state of the rivalry, the new official name, thoughts on Saturday's game and the stereotypes that need to be broken among both schools. He also discusses rec...
Sep 25, 2024•1 hr 37 min•Ep. 135
As expected, Georgia Southern suffered its second loss of the season last week, this time at the hands of a top five Ole Miss Rebels team. Now, with the out-of-conference schedule in the books and the Eagles at 2-2 on the season, the Sun Belt Conference race begins this Saturday in Atlanta as Georgia Southern takes on rival Georgia State. Now known as the Georgia Grown Bowl, will the Eagles rise to the occasion and bring a win and a new rivalry trophy back to Statesboro? Show Notes: Ole Miss Wen...
Sep 24, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 134
Georgia Southern improved to 2-1 on the young season with a 42-14 win over the South Carolina State Bulldogs last Saturday in Paulson. Now, the Eagles gear up for their final out-of-conference game of the season, and what will likely be their tallest task as they take on an Ole Miss team that has outscored opponents 168-9 in the first three games of the season. Show Notes: The Defense Is What It Is: We Must Outscore Teams Offense Was Solid, But Were All or Nothing at Times Something Is Off with ...
Sep 17, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 133
The Eagles pulled out a close one in Reno with a 20-17 win over Nevada to improve to 1-1 on the young season. Now, Georgia Southern returns home for a tune up game against the FCS South Carolina State Bulldogs. Matt and Cody break down the good and bad on offense and defense, the bright spot of special teams, and what we'd like to see in a must-win game against South Carolina State in Paulson. Show Notes: Special Teams the Bright Spot in Reno Defense Struggles Early, Then Bends but Doesn’t Break...
Sep 09, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 132
The Boise State Broncos stampeded into Paulson Stadium, putting up over 650 yards of total offense in a 56-45 win over Georgia Southern in the season opener. Matt and Cody discuss what went wrong with the Eagles defense and why they looked so inept, especially rush defense. The guys also preview a Nevada team that will provide a big test on the road and critique the Georgia Southern fan base, specifically those still living in the 80s and 90s eras of Eagles football. Show Notes: Broncos Run on E...
Sep 03, 2024•1 hr 49 min•Ep. 131
It's finally game week, and it's time for our first opponent preview of 2024! Matt and Cody discuss the QB1 decisions for both Georgia Southern and Boise State, and preview the Broncos' elite running back, experienced defense, their game manager at quarterback and their young and inexperienced head coach. What will it take for the Eagles to pull off the upset as home underdogs? Find out on this jam-packed episode! Show Notes: GATA Talk Meet-and-Greet Coming This Saturday! QB1 Decision: We (and m...
Aug 27, 2024•1 hr 37 min•Ep. 130
It's the episode Eagle Nation has been waiting for — season expectations! How many games will Georgia Southern win in 2024? What's the ceiling? What's the floor? Matt and Cody break down the recent scrimmages, the schedule game-by-game, and the Sun Belt East and West in this jam-packed episode! Show Notes: Two Scrimmages in the Books: Thoughts? QB1 Battle: Now a Two-Person Race? What Will Being ‘More Balanced’ Look Like? Sun Belt East Preview: Wide Open with Parity Sun Belt West Preview: Texas S...
Aug 20, 2024•2 hr 25 min•Ep. 129
Part 2 of our Georgia Southern football preview is here, and we're talking about the offense! Matt and Cody discuss what the offense may look like under new Offensive Coordinator Ryan Aplin, what the run-pass ration may be with a young quarterback and who that QB1 might be. Can the offense surpass 2023 numbers? Who will replace Khaleb Hood as the top wide receiver? Will tight ends and running back be utilized more? And will a revamped offensive line with a new coach give up less sacks than a yea...
Aug 13, 2024•1 hr 45 min•Ep. 128
We're just weeks away from the start of the 2024 Georgia Southern football season. We kick off our four part Season Preview by breaking down the Eagles' defense and special teams. Head Coach Clay Helton had some high praise for this year's defense. Can they truly be a top 30 or even top 25 defense? What about special teams? A new kicker and new punt returner could have an immediate impact - positive or negative - on how this season goes for the Eagles. Show Notes: Bold Claims About Defense at Me...
Aug 06, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 127
After our usual hiatus and ghosting after another embarrassing bowl loss to a MAC team, GATA Talk is back baby! Matt and Cody go through all the major storylines of a very eventful offseason for Georgia Southern football, complete with coaching changes, record donations, a fresh crop of transfers, and more. Show Notes: Apologies, Not Excuses, for Hiatus Field Naming Rights Controversy ‘Adapt of Die’ Mentality New OC: Blessing in Disguise? O-Line Coach: Biggest Move of the Offseason? QB Developme...
Jul 02, 2024•1 hr 44 min•Ep. 126
Fun Facts are BACK for our Myrtle Beach Bowl preview. That's right, our short-lived, yet wildly popular segment returns! We also talk football as Georgia Southern prepares for their final game of the 2023 season as they face the Ohio Bobcats in Myrtle Beach...errr Conway...to kick off the bowl season. Show Notes: Myrtle Beach Bowl a Good Selection, All Things Considered Changes: New CB Coach and Beau Allen Enters the Portal Fun Facts: Famous Ohio Alumni, Drunken Jack and Cults Ohio Preview: Grea...
Dec 10, 2023•1 hr 45 min•Ep. 125
November ends with zero wins, and Georgia Southern finds itself with its second straight 6-6 end to the regular season. Matt and Cody discuss what went wrong to close out the season, break down some stats from Clay Helton's two seasons in Statesboro, and predict where the program goes from here. Show Notes: Winless Novembers Is Not the Standard Benko Promised App State Recap: Rival Pours Salt in our Wounds Success and Turnaround of Peers Makes Our Regression Look Worse Breaking Down Some (Unfavo...
Nov 29, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 124
After its third straight loss, Georgia Southern is looking for answers, and fans are looking for changes — change in attitude, game planning, play calling and overall offensive play. Matt and Cody discuss what needs to happen to salvage the season and give this program some momentum headed into 2024. Show Notes: Worst Offensive Showing of the Season Team Does Not Look Ready or Motivated to Play Who Is to Blame and What Needs to Change? Addressing Helton's Flippant Press Conference Comments Leade...
Nov 21, 2023•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 123
This was a difficult episode to record, and we had to do it twice due to technical difficulties. Georgia Southern is still searching for its first Sun Belt Conference road win, and it only has one more opportunity when the Eagles close out the regular season at App State. But first, the Eagles will try and go 6-0 at home as Old Dominion heads to Paulson. Show Notes: Road Struggles Continue Offensive Play Calling Has Been Terrible Tackling Continues to Be an Issue for the Defense Changes That Nee...
Nov 13, 2023•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 122
Another road game, another road loss. Georgia Southern looks like a completely different team on the road this year. And things don't get any easier with two of the final three regular season games on the road, starting this Saturday at Marshall. Show Notes: This Team Is Not Prepared to Win on the Road Over-indexing the "Power of Paulson" Turnovers, Play-Calling and Bad QB Play Defense Has Worst Showing of the Season Time to Switch Things Up at QB? Marshall Preview: Struggling Team with Still Pl...
Nov 06, 2023•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 121
After an emotional and much-needed win over in-state rival Georgia State at Paulson, the Eagles will face Texas State in their first of three road games to close out the regular season in November. Can Georgia Southern do what it hasn't been able to do the majority of its recent history and close out the final month strong? Can the Eagles prove to be true contenders in the East and win 3-of-4 on the road? Matt and Cody discuss. Show Notes: State Win Was Needed, But Now It's About Finishing Stron...
Oct 31, 2023•55 min•Ep. 120
Short week, long episode. After an ugly win against ULM, we have plenty to talk about. Is Davis Brin the answer at QB1 for the rest of the season? Will Georgia State downplay the importance of this game for the first time in the rivalry? Also, the power of Paulson was more wasn't felt against ULM — will it return against GagSt? Show Notes: Offense inept in Second Half Against ULM Is Davis Brin the Answer for the Rest of the Season? At What Point Do You Move on and Look Toward the Future? KVT vs....
Oct 23, 2023•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 119
Last Saturday wasn't a good day. Georgia Southern was dominated in every facet of the game against James Madison to fall to 4-2 on the season and 1-1 in the Sun Belt. In this episode, we don't relive the loss as much as analyze what we saw and how we can move forward. Do we put this loss behind us with still all of our preseason goals in tact or do we crumble under pressure with another mediocre finish in the final six games of the regular season? Show Notes: Uninspired Performance Against JMU B...
Oct 16, 2023•52 min•Ep. 118
