By Christian Goeckel
SouthernPigskin.com

Follow us at Twitter.com/SouthernPigskin.  Become a fan at the SouthernPigskin.com Facebook Page

What stood out:

App State just isnt very good. They certainly had the look of an excellent team after taking North Carolina to the brink and upsetting Texas A&M, but the reality is that North Carolina couldnt keep a middle school team out of the endzone, and Texas A&M is now 3-3 overall. Texas State was able to hold the Mountaineers to just 41 yards on the ground and built a 30-3 lead early in the 3rd quarter. The Bobcats are certainly improved, but this game is more of an indictment of App.

Georgia State, after a brutally tough opening schedule, is still in contention for a Sun Belt title. The Panthers will need some help along the way, but Saturdays 41-33 win over Georgia Southern showed theyre a team to pay attention to in the league. The duo of Jamyest Williams and Tucker Gregg combined for 240 yards and 3 touchdowns on the ground, as Georgia State improved to 2-4 on the year.

As for Georgia Southern, the loss hurts, but Eagles fans should still take heart in what their team is doing. A lot of pundits, myself included, didnt think the Eagles would win more than 2 games this year. Theyve already done that. And if you are going to lose 6+ games, at least do it in an entertaining fashion. Anyone can go out and muck up a game to lose 23-13. Id much rather watch a team lose 50-40, and thats what Clay Heltons program has been doing. This is a transition year, but that doesnt mean it has to be a boring one. Keep throwing haymakers.

We need to be talking about Todd Centeio more. The 6th-year senior, now on his third team after stops at Temple and Colorado State, is averaging over 300 yards per game and currently holds a 15:1 touchdown to interception ratio. James Madison is now 5-0 after taking down Arkansas State 42-20 on Saturday in Jonesboro. The Dukes are ranked in the AP Top 25 in their very first year of FBS football, and they appear to be the clear favorite to win the conference.

Players of the week

Offense: Todd Centeio – James Madison – 28-37, 394 yards, 4 touchdowns

Defense: Tory Spears – Texas State – 12 tackles, 10 solo, 1 interception, 1 touchdown

Special Teams: Brooks Buce – Troy – 2/2 field goals, long of 48, 3/3 extra points

Best game of Week 7:

#25 James Madison (5-0)(3-0) at Georgia Southern (3-3)(0-2)