The Georgia Southern Eagles, with a record of 8-4, are gearing up to take on the Sam Houston Bearkats, who are 9-3, in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. This exciting game is scheduled for December 19, 2024, at 7 PM ET and will be held at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. It’s a big deal for Sam Houston, as this will be their first bowl game since they made the jump to the FBS level.
Georgia Southern Eagles
Record: 8-4 overall, finishing second in the East Division of the Sun Belt Conference.
Last Game: Georgia Southern pulled off a strong win over Appalachian State with a score of 29-20, highlighting their skills on both offense and defense.
Offensive Strengths:
Key offensive players include:
JC French (QB): A versatile quarterback who racked up 2,619 passing yards, tossed 16 touchdowns, and kept his interceptions to just 7.
Jalen White (RB): The top rusher, racking up 654 yards and an impressive 12 touchdowns, really bolstered the ground game.
Derwin Burgess Jr. (WR): A dependable option with 603 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns, key for keeping the offense rolling.
Defensive Highlights:
Notable defensive player:
Marques Watson-Trent (LB): The Defensive Player of the Year from the conference has racked up more than 110 tackles this season.
Sam Houston Bearkats
Record: 9-3 overall, wrapping up their first FBS season on a high note, just falling short of making it to the Conference USA championship game.
Last Game: The Bearkats narrowly defeated the Liberty Flames in a thrilling finish (20-18), showcasing their toughness in tight games.
Offensive Dynamics:
Key offensive contributors include:
Hunter Watson (QB): A multi-talented quarterback who racked up 1,598 passing yards, tossed 11 touchdown passes, and also rushed for more than 623 yards, adding another 7 touchdowns to his tally.
Jay Ducker (RB): The top rusher has racked up 719 yards and played a big role in the running game with 7 touchdowns.
Simeon Evans (WR): He’s a major receiving threat, racking up 474 yards and scoring 5 touchdowns, which makes him essential to the passing game.
Defensive Capabilities:
Standout defenders include:
Caleb Weaver (DB): A standout player who has pulled off some crucial interceptions all season long.
Chris Murray (DL): A game-changer on the defensive line, making a big impact with tackles for loss.
Coaching Changes
Sam Houston is now under the guidance of interim coach Brad Cornelsen, who stepped in after K.C. Keeler resigned earlier this season. Cornelsen aims to make the most of the team’s strengths while navigating a roster that has experienced some changes because of the transfer portal.
Key Matchups
Quarterback Battle: JC French’s performance is going to be crucial as he guides Georgia Southern’s offense against a challenging Sam Houston defense that’s proven it can force turnovers.
Defensive Showdown: Georgia Southern really needs to keep Hunter Watson in check since he can do damage both passing and running the ball.
Betting Insights
Georgia Southern comes into this game as a narrow favorite, holding about a 6-point edge, with the over/under sitting at roughly 48.5 points. This suggests it should be a close matchup where both teams can find chances to put points on the board.
Given Georgia Southern’s strong offense and solid defense, especially against a Sam Houston squad dealing with coaching shifts and player losses, it looks like the odds are in favor of Georgia Southern.
Sports Betting Ace’s Final Score Prediction: Georgia Southern Eagles: 28, Sam Houston Bearkats: 21
This prediction shows that Georgia Southern can take advantage of scoring chances while also keeping Sam Houston’s offense in check.
As both teams prepare for this thrilling bowl game in New Orleans, fans are in for a treat with a contest packed with clever strategies and impressive plays from key players on each side. Georgia Southern is eager to grab their first bowl win with head coach Clay Helton, while Sam Houston is looking to end their season on a high note despite facing some tough times. This matchup is set to bring plenty of excitement and drama on December 19th.