The Georgia Southern University’s 2016 football schedule was released last Thursday. The Eagles will face two Power 5 opponents, five teams that played in bowl games last season and the defending Sun Belt Champs, Arkansas State.

Power 5 matchups

The Eagles will travel to Ole Miss and Georgia Tech this season. It will be the second contest in three seasons facing the Yellow Jackets. The Nov. 5 date with Ole Miss probably will be the toughest opponent they face all season. The Rebels are coming off a 10-win season, an Allstate Sugar Bowl victory and landed the 2016 fourth-ranked recruiting class according to ESPN.

Sun Belt’s Elite

The Eagles won’t play the cellar-dwelling Texas State or Idaho this season. They’ll instead face traditional Sun Belt power UL Lafayette and reigning conference champions Arkansas State. It will be their first contest against the Red Wolves since joining the Sun Belt.

40 days without a home game

The team and the fans will endure the longest stretch without a home game in the program’s history. Following the Sept. 17 game versus UL Monroe, the Eagles won’t return to Paulson Stadium until Oct. 27, which is the Thursday night meeting with rival Appalachian State.

Plenty of revenge games in 2016

The Eagle’s only conference losses last season came to App State and Georgia State. The App State game will once again be televised on ESPNU. The Eagles will also look to upset Georgia Tech, a feat they almost accomplished two seasons ago. The Yellow Jackets defeated the Eagles 42-38 in the final minute in 2014.