After having their two-game win streak snapped in a rout at the hands of Louisiana Lafayette last weekend, New Mexico State returns home to take on Georgia Southern this Saturday. To get a better look at the Eagles heading into what is essentially a must-win matchup for the Aggies’ bowl eligibility hopes, I asked George-Anne sports editor McClain Baxley a few questions about the team.

After a disappointing 2017, how has Georgia Southern been able to get off to such a hot start this season?

First year head coach Chad Lunsford has completely revitalized the culture and way GS is perceived. Implementing a new coaching staff and instilling in anyone who will listen a belief that this team can win has been the biggest thing. It’s been incredible to see the school and community that was so down last year be excited about football again.

The schedule has also lent itself to success, beginning with the first three games. Each week the Eagles were tested more and more before going into a bye. By seeing how the team responded against three very different opponents, the coaching staff was able to see where the team was heading into conference play.

Do you expect the Eagles to carry this momentum all the way to a conference title by the end of the season?

A conference title is months away, but there is certainly more hope now than there was in August when the Eagles were picked to finish third in the East Division, behind App State and Troy. Those two teams are still teams that GS has to play but luckily both games are at home. ASU and Troy have also had their biggest offensive producers go down for the season so that helps. I think though, preseason, the goal was a bowl game and unless the Eagles go 0-6 to close the season, they’re going bowling. Just a reminder, this team started 0-9 last year.

The GSU offense looks like it has for years — run the ball and run it well (with over 250 ground yards per game). The defense on the other hand has made some drastic improvements, allowing just 17.3 points an outing after giving up over 32 points last year. What has been the difference for defensive coordinator Scott Sloan’s group?

Heading into the season, it was suspected that the defense would be the rock for this squad. I just didn’t think it would be this good. Sloan switched the defense from a 4-3 to 3-4 to help with the over the top passes. It’s worked as the defense has only allowed three passing touchdowns so far, one of which coming from Trevor Lawrence. The front line has been incredible with Logan Hunt, Ty Phillips and Raymand Johnson III combining for 7.5 sacks, and Monquavion Brinson should be a lock for Sun Belt defensive player of the year as he’s been on lockdown all over the field with 41 tackles, six pass break ups and an interception.

Georgia Southern managed to stay undefeated in the Sun Belt last weekend with a win over a lowly Texas State, but it was an ugly one. What issues kept the game so close for the Eagles and do you think those will carry over this weekend?

It was a short week, there was a hurricane and the Bobcats always give GS fits. Lunsford has said that a wins a win, but I fear that the Eagles probably got caught looking past a Thursday night game against a 1-4 team. The defense and our kicker Tyler Bass were great, but the offense had their second worst game of the season for someone. I don’t expect it to carry over, given the reaction from fans and critics.

What’s your score prediction and why?

I think this is the game where the Eagles have a statement road game, which was supposed to happen against Texas State. They’ll have had more than a week to prepare for an inferior and inconsistent New Mexico State team. GS wins and becomes bowl eligible, 34-10.