While the Chanticleers might be the favorites with a 6.5-point advantage, history suggests a twist. The visiting team has been on a roll in recent encounters, turning predictions on their head.Will the Panthers continue their undefeated run? Or will the Chanticleers make a resounding statement at home? Zank breaks it down and gives out his predictions.

The Sun Belt Conference offers up what should be a good game to watch and bet when Coastal Carolina and Georgia State open their conference slates Thursday night in Conway, SC.

The Chanticleers, playing at home, are favored by a short touchdown. But the home teams have been terrible bets in this rivalry recently.

Which way are we going with our free GSU/CCU pick?

NCAAF Betting Odds

The Week 4 college football betting lines opened Coastal Carolina as a 6.5-point home favorite for Thursday night, with an over/under of right around 62. Both figures were holding steady in the early betting action.

Georgia State Betting Preview

The Panthers are 3-0 on the season after winning at Charlotte last Saturday 41-25. Georgia State scored the first 17 points of the game and led 20-10 at the half. The Panthers then scored the first 14 points of the second half to take total control, on their way toward victory and the cover as 5.5-point favorites.

Georgia State out-gained the 49ers 568-356 and won the turnover battle 2-0.

The Panthers opened their season with a 42-35 win over FCS Rhode Island but came up two scores short of the against-the-spread line of -18. GSU then beat Connecticut 35-14 and covered at -2.

Georgia State only returned 12 starters this season from a team that played 4-8 last year. But five of their eight losses came by seven points or less, including one by three, one by two, and one by one. So, the Panthers are hoping for a little better luck when it comes to close games this season.

Coastal Carolina Betting Preview

The Chanticleers are 2-1 SU and 3-0 ATS on the season, their first under Coach Beck, after dumping FCS Duquesne last Saturday 66-7. Coastal Carolina, favored by 34 points, used a pair of defensive touchdowns to lead 45-0 at the half and eased home from there for the win and the money.

CC opened its season with a 27-13 loss at UCLA, but that was a 14-13 game in the fourth quarter, and the Chanticleers covered as 16-point dogs. Coastal Carolina then beat Jacksonville State 30-16, covering at -13.5.

The Chanticleers returned 14 starters this season from a team that won the SBC East last year. So they're expected to contend for the Sun Belt title again this season.

Georgia State-Coastal Carolina Recent History

These teams have alternated winning their meetings each of the last six seasons. Last year, the Chanticleers scored two long touchdowns in the first three minutes of the game, led 27-17 at the half, won 41-24, and covered at -2.5.

College Football Betting Trends

The visiting team is 6-0 SU and 5-1 ATS over the last six meetings between these teams.

Totals Report

The totals are split 1-1 in Georgia State's games vs. FBS opponents this season, which are averaging 57 total points.

The unders are 2-0 in Coastal Carolina's games vs. FBS foes, which are averaging 43 points.

Free College Football Betting Pick

Georgia State owns the better running game in this match-up, and we prefer more balanced offensive approaches. Meanwhile, the defenses look about even. Trends-wise, the visitors hold the upper hand in this rivalry, and it's the Panthers turn to win this game. We expect a close one Thursday night, so we're betting Georgia State plus the points.