The Eagles are going into the game against Old Dominion University as underdogs, and unfortunately for Eagle Nation, there will be no championship parade in 2013.

Georgia Southern University will be headed to Norfolk, Va., the farthest the school has traveled this season. That’s just one of the main obstacles.

While the Eagles did beat the Monarchs last season in the playoffs, the Eagles had home field advantage last year, a luxury ODU will enjoy in the rematch.

The Monarchs are also fielding one of the most proficient passers in the Football Championship Subdivision this season. Taylor Heinicke has thrown for 4,655 yards this season, and he’s close to the single-season record of 4,863 yards held by Steve McNair. He has also thrown 41 touchdowns and ran for 10.

The Eagle defense has struggled against the pass all year, giving up season-highs to the better receivers it has faced this year.

Last week the Eagles were helped by multiple drops from the Bear receivers, Heinicke will be more accurate to his receivers who have been catching his passes all season long.

GSU will play well on offense to keep it as a close game, but at the end of the day the Monarchs will make more plays than the GSU defense does, and the score will settle at 49-35.