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 room
• If healthy, Max is a big-time recruit for the Eagles
• What does Max Johnson bring to the Eagles? 
• Win now pressure for Clay Helton
• Winning should be top priority for incoming transfers

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 Don't Break
• Offense Left a Lot of Points off the Board
• Does This Win Change the Perception of the Season?
• Transfer Portal: Entire O-line and JC French Gone
• QB Situation: Turner Helton, Weston Bryan or Transfer?
• Defensive Departures and Needs
• Coaching Changes and Mutz's Staff
• JMU Held Their Own Against Oregon
• Future of Bowl Games

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 Football Playoff. 

Show Notes: 

• Instant Reaction: Mutz Hired as DC 
• Birmingham Bowl Most Prestigious Yet for Georgia Southern
• App State Preview Part 2
• Breaking Down the Bowl Selection Process
• App State Pairing Could be Worst Case Scenario for Helton
• State of College Football Deep Dive
• Is JMU Making the CFP Good or Bad Long Term?
• Thoughts on a Potential G5/6 Playoff
• Ideal Scenarios for Reformed Post-Season Play

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 and Cody discuss the firing, preferences for our next defensive coordinator and discuss the upcoming bowl game. 

Show Notes: 

• Eagles Beat Marshall for First Time in 35 Years
• Bailey and LB Coach Fired: More Changes to Come? 
• What Helton Needs to Prioritize in a DC 
• Camden Brown Caps Off Record Regular Season 
• Brown Should be the Case Study for P4 Wideouts
• Weston Bryan's Future with the Eagles Offense
• Bowl Game: Does It Matter and Is a Win Possible?
• Eagles Must Elevate Above Mediocrity

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
• If Changes Don't Happen After Marshall, It's Time to Revolt
• Offensive Overhaul May be Needed as Well 
• Fans Are in Two Boats: Apathetic or Furious 
• What DC Worth Their Salt Would Sign Up for this Circus?
• Bowl Eligibility Is On the Line at Marshall
• Thundering Herd in Similar Position After Loss Against App