Camellia Bowl Prediction: Georgia Southern and Buffalo expected to end season with win – AthlonSports.com
Camellia Bowl Prediction: Georgia Southern and Buffalo expected to end season with win – AthlonSports.com
The Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala., will host two 6-6 teams looking to finish 2022 college football season on a winning note as the Georgia Southern Eagles and Buffalo Bulls meet for the first time in history on December 27th. It’s the first of four bowl games on the day as the postseason schedule resumes after Christmas.
On the topic: 2022-23 college football predictions for every game
Georgia Southern is limping into this game after losing three of its last four games to end the regular season. In fact, three straight losses to Sun Belt rivals South Alabama (38-31), Louisiana (36-17) and Marshall (23-10) put the Eagles in a must-win situation in the Nov. 26 finale vs. Appalachian State. In what was a scoring fest, Georgia Southern answered a Highlanders field goal in the second overtime with a touchdown for a thrilling 51-48 win, securing a bowl berth in head coach Clay Helton’s first season leading the “ Eagles”. .
Buffalo had a similar road, as the Bulls were also 5-3 before losing three in a row (to Ohio State, Central Michigan and Kent State in MAC play). But Buffalo had to wait a little longer than Georgia Southern to punch its ticket to the postseason. The snowstorm forced the postponement of the Bulls’ home game against Kent State on November 19th to December 2nd. The wait was worth it, however, as Buffalo rallied from a 16-0 deficit to score the game-winning touchdown with 1:15 left in the game. The 23-22 win over the Zips secured the program’s fourth bowl appearance in the last five seasons and first under head coach Maurice Linquist.
Camellia Bowl: Georgia Southern (6-6) vs. Buffalo (6-6)
Reset: Tuesday, December 27th at 12pm ET
Where: Cramton Bowl (Montgomery, Alabama)
TV: ESPN
Live streaming: fuboTV (Start a free trial)
Distribution: Georgia Southern -3.5
Tickets: From $37 at SITickets.com*
When Georgia Southern has the ball
The Eagles’ attack is led by quarterback Kyle Vantryse. A Buffalo transfer, Vantrease will face his former team, for whom he made 25 starts in 2019-21. In his first season with the Eagles, Vantries threw for 3,901 yards, 25 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. He enters this game third in the nation in both passing yards per game (325.1) and passing yards per game (343). The 25 touchdown passes are the same number he threw as a Bull in five seasons (35 games).
Vantrease can rely on a solid group of wide receivers. Haleb Hood leads the team with 80 receptions for 896 yards and also has three touchdowns. Teammate Derwin Burgess Jr. is tied for first with seven touchdowns, second for receiving yards (717) and third for receiving (58). Jeremy Singleton (66 receptions, 714 yards, 2 TDs) rounds out a productive trio of wideouts, and Amar’e Jones (6 TD catches) has also made an impact. Buffalo’s defense will have its work cut out for it as it tries to slow down the fourth-ranked passing attack (327.8 ypg). Vantrease has had his share of interceptions and the Bulls are tied for second in the MAC with 12 picks, so that’s something to keep an eye on in this game.
Georgia Southern isn’t completely giving up the run either, as Jalen White leads the way with 914 yards and 10 touchdowns on 162 carries. Given Buffalo’s issues stopping the run (175.3 ypg, 23 TD), don’t be surprised if Eagles head coach Clay Helton stays a little more grounded with his game plan, especially if he’s effective early on.
When Buffalo has the ball
The Bulls’ passing attack isn’t as explosive as Georgia Southern’s, but quarterback Cole Snyder has been good this season. He finished the regular season ranked among the top five MAC rushers in passing yards (2,765), touchdowns (17) and completions (250). He also had eight steals. Snyder’s top targets this season have been Kuian Williams (56 rec., 643 yds, 5 TD) and Justin Marshall (53, 710, 8). Late in the fourth quarter, Williams caught the game-winning touchdown pass that beat Akron and put Buffalo in the bowl game.
The Bulls are balanced on offense with running backs Mike Washington (143 rpg, 606 yds, 7 TD) and Ron Cook Jr. (139, 600, 4) sharing most of the carries. Cook did not play in the regular season finale, but the hope is that he will be available for the bowl. Georgia Southern was very generous on defense, giving up a lot of yards both on the ground (240 per game) and through the air (256.2). So, Buffalo should have no problem moving the ball. D The Eagles also don’t create many negative plays, finishing the regular season last in the Sun Belt in both tackles for loss (47) and totals (18).
Final analysis
Neither team enters this game with much momentum, although both did what was needed in the final timeout. Neither defense is known for shutting teams down either, so this one could come down to who has the ball last. If offense is the key, then the slight edge should go to Georgia Southern because of its offense, which also happens to be led by a man who used to play for Buffalo.
Prediction: Georgia Southern 31, Buffalo 28
Podcast: Early National Signing Day recap, bowl preview (Dec. 21-28) and the future of the college football calendar in December
— Posted by Chip Minnich, who is part of the Athlon Member Network. He also does podcasting Land – donation of the Holy Land. Follow him on Twitter @ChipMinnich.
*Price at time of publication.
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