GoDaddy Bowl-Georgia Southern vs Bowling Green (pick against spread 12-23)

The GoDaddy Bowl should provide penalty of offensive firepower. The Georgia Southern Eagles lead the nation with 355 rushing yards per game, while the Bowling Green Falcons are third in the nation in passing yards per game and fifth in scoring offense.

Both teams will be led by interim head coaches.  Dino Barbers, who led the Falcons this season was hired by Syracuse after the Falcons MAC Championship victory.  Georgia Southern head coach  Willie Fritz, accepted the same position at Tulane.

Bowling Green has had its struggles against some of the better rushing attacks the Falcons faced this season, and the Georgia Southern option offense will definitely put the Falcons to the test.  Bowling Green however will challenge the Eagles in the air, with the nations leading passer, Matt Johnson, and on the ground. Travis Greene set the Bowling Green school record for most rushing yards in a career.  Georgia Southern does not pose much of a threat through the air-the Eagles only average 61 yards passing per game.

The key for Georgia Southern will be to consistently run the ball well and control time of possession. The best way to defend the Bowling Green offense, could be keeping them off the field as much as possible; but with BGSU’s hurry up offense,  it usually doesn’t take much time for the Falcons to score. If Georgia Southern falls behind, keeping up with the Falcons could be a problem.

Bowling Green 10-3, is also 10-3 against the spread this season and 8-2 ATS as a favorite.  Georgia Southern is 8-4 ATS and 2-2 as an underdog. One of Georgia Southern’s most impressive wins however, came as an underdog against the only mutual opponent that the two teams shared-Western Michigan. Georgia Southern defeated Western Michigan 43-17, during the second week of the season. BGSU defeated Western Michigan 41-27 on November 11th.

It’ll be interesting to see how this game plays out with the contrasting offensive styles. It’s hard to predict how Bowling Green will be able to defend the Eagles option attack.

I expect a strong effort from Georgia Southern playing in the schools first bowl game. Rival Georgia State exploited the Georgia Southern defense handing them a 34-7 defeat to end the regular season. Georgia Southern will definitely want to get the bitter taste from that loss out of their mouths, but in the end I think Matt Johnson and the Bowling Green offense will be too much.

Bowling Green -7

(Bowling Green 41 Georgia Southern 28)

Bet Sports Strong Rating B

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