‘Tis the season to be – confused?
Alonza Barnett III did not, in fact, lead the Dukes into the Boca Raton Bowl, as his injury at the end of the Marshall game during the regular season finale effectively ensured that he would be unlikely to play. Barnett III instead showed up in Florida on crutches.
However, James Madison’s quarterback by committee approach did end up producing the results I expected, so I suppose not all was wrong.
I pledge to do better, though, dear readers.
Let’s take a look at the only college football game taking place on Thursday.
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
Georgia Southern vs. Sam Houston State (Thursday, 7 PM ET – ESPN2)
The Bearkats, who at the tail end of the 2010s became a force in the FCS ranks, will be playing in their first ever FBS bowl game in New Orleans. They will take on a Georgia Southern team that is known for scoring points and made that apparent in the first game of the season, a competitive loss to Boise State in which over 100 points were scored in total. Sam Houston State will be without K.C. Keeler, who guided the program through the FBS transition and recently accepted the Temple job, and will instead be led by offensive coordinator Brad Cornelsen for this game. As one of the stingiest defensive units in Conference USA, the goal for Cornelsen’s group will be stifle a Georgia Southern offense that if let loose, can overwhelm the Bearkats.
To add to Sam Houston State’s challenge, the team will be reportedly be without two of its top three running backs, both of whom hit the transfer portal before this game. While the Bearkats probably wouldn’t win a shootout with the Eagles anyway, the C-USA program has been very comfortable this season in close, low-scoring affairs. That, coupled with an opportunistic defense that can force Georgia Southern’s JC French into turnovers (+8 margin for SHSU this season) should be enough to keep the Bearkats in this game. This one may not be pretty, but that would be an advantage moreso for Sam Houston State than Georgia Southern. I tend to gravitate towards teams that are playing in their first bowl game because it provides an excitement to keep players engaged, even in situations such as this one where there is already a lot of turnover on the roster and coaching staff.
My Pick: 24-22 Sam Houston State
Bowl Mania Confidence: 6 points
