The quality of a game – assuming the talent level is relatively even – increases if teams have different identities. Such is the case in the New Orleans Bowl, when Louisiana Tech stays in-state and Georgia Southern makes the short trip to the Superdome for this postseason matchup. Keep reading for our New Orleans Bowl betting preview.
New Orleans Bowl Betting Preview Game Details
College Football Odds: Georgia Southern -5.5
Sportsbook Total: 48.5
Location: Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
Overview
The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs were crushed by the TCU Horned Frogs, 52-10, in their most recent game. While it is true that TCU is a Big 12 team, and that the Frogs were expected to beat the Bulldogs fairly comfortably, a 42-point margin was probably not what people were expecting. The Bulldogs don’t have an especially robust defense. But allowing 52 points to a TCU offense that had struggled for most of the season was not what Louisiana wanted to see.
Louisiana Tech
Louisiana, as it prepares for its bowl game, hopes that the tough day against TCU will strengthen this team. TCU could have given Louisiana Tech a guide on how to troubleshoot and resolve various problems. However, it is just as reasonable that TCU exposed Louisiana Tech’s weaknesses in ways Georgia Southern can take advantage.
Georgia Southern
Georgia Southern has lost three of its last five games. They were all close. Two losses came against good teams: Appalachian State, which won its bowl game on Monday (the Myrtle Beach Bowl versus North Texas), and Army, which is 9-2 and going for a 10-win season in the Liberty Bowl versus West Virginia. Georgia Southern has been competitive, whereas Louisiana’s worst games have spiraled out of control.
Contrasting Styles
The contrast in styles makes this game fun to look at. Louisiana Tech averages 227 passing yards per game, Georgia Southern only 102. Georgia Southern averages 262 rushing yards per game, Tech only 98. Tech wants to throw, GSU wants to run.
The game might be decided by the defenses. Tech allows 34 points per game, Georgia Southern 22. Tech allows 184.6 rushing yards per game, which Georgia Southern has to view as a portal of opportunity.
Bottom Line
The matchup between Georgia Southern’s run offense and the Louisiana Tech run defense is a favorable matchup for the Eagles. Georgia Southern should be able to run the ball well, control the clock, and keep the ball away from the Bulldogs’ pass-based offense. The game will be close, and the Bulldogs have a good bowl history, but Georgia Southern will make the handful of plays it needs to make in order to win outright.
Prediction: Georgia Southern 23, Louisiana Tech 20
