R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, Georgia Southern vs Sam Houston: NCAA Football Best Bets (12/19)

Down in the Bayou, Georgia Southern takes on Sam Houston in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. Once again, before we discuss anything, we need to talk about the transfer portal being completely littered with players from the Bearkats, as their Head Coach, KC Keeler, left to take the same job at Temple.

The Bearkats will be led by OC Brad Cornelson who will most likely still call the plays. On the defensive side, DC Skyler Cassity was hired for the same job at North Texas, but it is reported that they will stay with Sam Houston through the bowl game. Like I said, the list of transfer portal players is a grocery list for the Bearkats, but many of these players are still listed on the bowl game depth chart. Starting WR Simeon Evans and S Isaiah Cash both said they will take the field.

As for Georgia Southern, there is much less news on their side of things. The Eagles finished 8-4 in the regular season, their best record since the 2018 season. They won 3 of their L4 games to finish 6-2 in the Sun Belt conference, and now have a chance to cap off this season with a bowl win. The Eagles have lost their last two bowl games, and will be looking to turn things around tonight.

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Georgia Southern Eagles vs Sam Houston Bearkats: R+L Carrriers Bowl

Matchup Information – Georgia Southern vs Sam Houston

• Venue & Location: Caesars Superdome (New Orleans, LA)
• Date: Thursday, December 19th, 2024
• Kick Off: 7:00pm Eastern
• Broadcast: ESPN2

Betting Odds

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Spread

• Georgia Southern -3.5 (-110)
• Sam Houston +3.5 (-110)

Money Line

• Georgia Southern -170
• Sam Houston +150

Total

• Over 48.5 (-107)
• Under 48.5 (-113)

Which Team Will Show Up in NOLA?

The question asked above relates to the transfer portal. We essentially have no idea who is going to take the field. Teams do not have to report players completely opting out, and most could suit up and never actually see a snap. It makes betting this games incredibly difficult, but regardless, we’re diving in to find some action.

Sam Houston could be incredibly motivated. Sure, their HC left for a bigger job after leading them to their first bowl in 2 years as an FBS program. But in this historic moment, I could certainly see the entire team rallying around their brotherhood and looking to bring some hardware home.

So essentially we do have two very hungry teams. The Bearkats could win their first FBS bowl in their second year at this level, and the Eagles are looking to snap a two bowl game losing streak. Where most bowls lack motivation, I see it on both sides of this ball game.

The Bearkats defense is Top 20 in the country in scoring, but their offense is in the Bottom 40, ranking 94th, scoring just 23 points per contest. On the Eagles side, their defense struggles, ranking 83rd allowing over 28 points per game, while the offense competes, scoring about 27 per game. Georgia Southern would much rather prefer a shootout, while the Bearkats have squeaked out wins with just 9 and 10 points this season. Ultimately, Georgia Southern is facing one of the toughest defenses they’ve seen all season, and I think it comes into play tonight.

Georgia Southern Eagles vs Sam Houston Bearkats Best Bets

Georgia Southern vs Sam Houston Prediction: Sam Houston Wins, Under 48.5

Best Bets: Ga Southern/SHSU Under 48.5 (-113) BetOnline

This is going to be a low scoring ball game in my eyes. Georgia Southern is 7-5 to the under this season, staying below the number in their last 3 games and 5 of their L7 down the stretch. Sam Houston is 9-3 to the under this year, going under in their last six games.

Could it really be that easy?

For starters, Sam Houston is an insanely rush heavy offense, running the ball over 60% of the time, putting them in the Top 15 in the country, and Top 10 in rushes per game. I see the Bearkats putting together long drives and milking the clock as the underdog in this ball game.

Defensively, Sam Houston’s secondary is incredible, ranking Top 5 in yards per pass allowed. I expect them to empty the box, daring Georgia Southern to beat them through the trenches, thus milking the clock even more. Give me hard nosed defense in this gritty ball game, keeping it well under 48.5.

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