Saturday Blitz
Fansided

College football’s 5 best bets for 2019-20 bowl season

By Will Koger

TAMPA, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 23: The Memphis Tigers celebrate winning a game against the South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium on November 23, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 23: The Memphis Tigers celebrate winning a game against the South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium on November 23, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
OXFORD, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 28: Jaret Patterson #26 of the Buffalo Bulls runs for a touchdown during the second quarter in the game against the Miami of Ohio RedHawks at Yager Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Oxford, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
OXFORD, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 28: Jaret Patterson #26 of the Buffalo Bulls runs for a touchdown during the second quarter in the game against the Miami of Ohio RedHawks at Yager Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Oxford, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

5. Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl

Buffalo (7-5) vs. Charlotte (7-5)
Friday, Dec. 20 at 2 p.m. ET
Thomas Robinson Stadium in Nassau, Bahamas

Pick: Buffalo -6.5

This matchup of 7-5 teams takes place in the Bahamas Bowl, a game famous for wild finishes (see: Central Michigan Hail Mary). I do not expect a close final score in this matchup. Buffalo has two backs with over a thousand yards in Jaret Patterson and Kevin Marks, and they feed them often, over 70 percent of the time, according to NCAA.com. The running game will be important in this game, as there will be wind gusts impacting passes.

Charlotte is also a top 30 rushing team, averaging 210 yards on the ground compared to Buffalo’s 254. Coach Will Healy is regarded as an innovative offensive mind and will prove to be a hot name during future coaching searches. But where this game will be decided will be on defense.

In a game in which both teams will be running the ball often, it follows that rushing defense will be key in deciding the game. Buffalo is the fourth-best team against the run in the country, only trailing the likes of Utah, San Diego State, and Georgia. Their 95 rushing yards allowed per game is nearly 100 yards less than the 191 yards that Charlotte allows on the ground per game.

In what figures to be a low scoring, quick game, Buffalo’s rush defense will stifle Charlotte’s run game, and the weather will prevent much through the air. Meanwhile, Patterson will run wild and Buffalo wins easily.

Home/College Football News