Through six games in the 2018 season, Georgia Southern holds a 5-1 record, and remains undefeated in conference play

Their unexpected, successful start is definitely encouraging for Eagle Nation, but the team needs to continue to compete at a high level, even in games where they are highly favored, like this weekend’s match up with New Mexico State.

The Aggies will host the Eagles at 6 p.m. Eastern on Saturday, looking for their first conference win on the year.

GS will look to take care of business against a 2-5 team, desperate to get things going in 2018.

New Mexico State Offense

The Aggies’ offense has been a bit inconsistent through the year, but have still managed to average just over 24 points per game.

Three different quarterbacks have seen playing time at some point this season, but all signs point to the team leader in passing, freshman Josh Adkins, to be the main guy moving forward.

Adkins has thrown for over 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns, despite missing the first two games on the year.

Their passing attack accounts for the vast majority of their offense, and collectively the Aggies are completing passes around 66% of their attempts, and have gained over 1,600 yards in the air through seven games.

The Aggies’ running game has not been able to establish itself at the level their passing game is playing at.

The team has only gathered around 700 yards on the ground, which isn’t terrible, but is frankly overshadowed by their quarterback play.

Many different players have carried the ball for NMSU, but they have two different backs that receive the bulk of the carries.

Christian Gibson is the team’s leading rusher so far this season, racking up 344 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.

Jason Huntley has the most carries among running backs with 62, and has gained 252 yards and one score.

With NMSU’s offense only averaging around 100 yards per game on the ground, expect the Eagle defense to shift their focus to containing the Aggies’ dangerous air attack.

New Mexico State Defense

GS’ offense should be licking their chops heading into Aggie Memorial Stadium, because the NMSU defense has been horrendous in 2018.

Opponents are averaging nearly 500 yards of total and over 40 points per game against the Aggies.

Though they haven’t been strong defending pass either, NMSU’s rushing defense should be their main concern when facing GS’ traditional run-first offense.

The Aggies have let opposing teams rush for over 1,800 yards against them this season, which equates to nearly 260 yards per game, only on the ground.

Unless the Aggies can make some serious adjustments in an unreasonably quick fashion, expect the Eagle offense to have a field day running the football.

Kickoff from Las Cruces is set for 6 p.m. Eastern.

Ryan Pye, The George-Anne Sports Reporter, gasports@georgiasouthern.edu