Camellia Bowl: Georgia Southern vs Buffalo Prediction, Game Preview, Live Stream, Odds & Picks
Winner to Finish Season Above .500
Familiar Faces in Montgomery
Passionate bowl games are rare in the modern college football era due to the increasing popularity of player opt-outs and transfers. However, that will not be the case in the Camellia Bowl. The Georgia Southern Eagles (6-6) will battle the Buffalo Bulls (6-6), as both hope to finish the season above .500.
Both teams will be at full go with no major contributors sitting out. The Eagles are 1-3 against the spread (ATS) in the last four games while the Bulls went 0-4 ATS. Georgia Southern won the Camellia Bowl in 2018 and Buffalo won it in 2020. Which squad will grab its second Camellia Bowl win?
Let’s check the latest college football odds, stats, injury reports and college football lines for Georgia Southern vs Buffalo. We’ve plenty of NCAA football odds for you to consider.
Eagles’ High-Flying Offense
Ahead of the 2022 season, Georgia Southern was expected to finish in the bottom third of the Sun Belt Conference. The Eagles finished in the middle of the pack and earned bowl eligibility. They have passed expectations, but with a bowl win, the Eagles would shatter preseason hopes.
Georgia Southern leans on an explosive offense that averages 31.4 points (33rd) and ranks fifth in passing yards per game. The Eagles’ star trio earned all-conference recognition as quarterback Kyle Vantrease and running back Jalen White made third team while wide receiver Khaleb Hood got second-team honors.
Vantrease ranks sixth in passing yards and Hood is 12th in receptions. The Eagles are 0-3 when scoring fewer than 30 points due to a bad defense, that is second-to-last in allowed yards per game.
In two of the last three games, the Eagles scored fewer than 20 points and hit the under. However, the offense erupted on Nov. 26 against Appalachian State with 38 points in regulation and over 400 yards in the 51-48 overtime win.
Raging Bulls Defense
Like Georgia Southern, Buffalo was picked to finish in the bottom third of its conference. The Bulls finished second in the Mid-American Conference’s East division.
Excellent situational football has fueled Buffalo’s wins. It ranks in the top fifth of opponent third-down and fourth-down conversion rates. Plus, the offense ranks in the top fifth of fourth-down conversion rate and red zone scoring percentage.
The Bulls are not an efficient team, as they rank in the bottom 12% of yards per play and the bottom 30% of opponent yards per play. However, the defense is terrific at making plays on the ball, ranking third in takeaways per game. Georgia Southern ranks 93rd in giveaways per game, and quarterback Vantrease is tied for the most interceptions at 15. Buffalo defensive back Marcus Fuqua, who earned All-MAC first-team honors, leads college football with seven interceptions.
Linebacker Shaun Dolac is another all-conference player for Buffalo. His 135 tackles are tied for the fifth-highest mark in FBS. Will the Bulls’ defensive stars fuel a win?
Georgia Southern vs Buffalo Game Injuries
Georgia Southern vs Buffalo Head-to-Head
This will be Georgia Southern and Buffalo’s first meeting.
Georgia Southern vs Buffalo Game Information
- Game: Georgia Southern vs Buffalo
- Date: Tuesday, Dec. 27
- Time: Noon ET
- Location: Cramton Bowl, Montgomery, AL
- Georgia Southern vs Buffalo Live Stream: ESPN
Georgia Southern vs Buffalo Betting Lines
Georgia Southern vs Buffalo Picks & Prediction
Buffalo’s defense should be able to generate some turnovers, which will keep it close for most of the way. In the end, look for a Georgia Southern win and cover. The Eagles’ offense is the only great unit in this matchup. The Bulls’ defense forces turnovers but ranks in the bottom half of surrendered yards per game.
Georgia Southern’s run game is in store for a big day. Buffalo is 117th in allowed yards per carry while the Eagles rank in the top fourth of yards per carry. Running back White, who has 914 rushing yards on 5.6 yards per carry, could be the star of the show.
For the total, go with the under. The projected total of 67 is a big number. Georgia Southern is capable of scoring enough, but Buffalo has one of the most inefficient offenses in college football. While the Eagles rank in the bottom 10% of allowed points and yards per game, they are ninth in opponent red zone scoring percentage.
Georgia Southern is listed at -165 in our Vegas college football lines. This means that if you wager $100 on the Eagles, you have a chance to win $61. Buffalo is +145, offering a chance to win $145 on a $100 wager.
The implied probability attached to the betting lines gives Georgia Southern a 62.26% chance to win, with the Bulls at 40.82%.
Georgia Southern vs Buffalo Trends
Georgia Southern vs Buffalo Edge
Georgia Southern vs Buffalo Results
Georgia Southern vs Buffalo Game Summary
