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 r...

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 D...

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 Footbal...

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...

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 I...

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 att...

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 Sti...

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...

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 Wi...

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 Ha...

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 Hel...

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 Defe...

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 Ag...

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 Note...

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 comi...

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...

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...

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  Ja...

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...

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...

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 a...

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 Note...

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 Ap...

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' ...

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...